Canyon de Chelly (Day 1) Antelope Canyon (Day 2) - Two (2) Day Adventure
Phoenix & ALL Outlying Areas (Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Mesa, Chandler, Peoria, Glendale, Etc)
NOTE: – We pick you up where you’re staying.
IMPORTANT: In mixed group tours you’ll waste 1 hour picking up other Guests from multiple resorts. You’ll spend the same hour dropping them off. Our tours are 100% private. Just your family/group. We’ll take that extra time and see more sights; maximizing your adventure.
Canyon de Chelly
Sometimes to see the most AMAZING spots on Earth, you have no choice but to drive. This couldn’t be more true when it comes to Canyon de Chelly. Undoubtedly the MOST incredible spot on Earth, that very FEW people have taken on the challenge to see.
Grab these before you leave:
- Clothing – Canyon de Chelly is located at about 5000 feet, so it can get snow in the winter. Summers can get hot, averaging 90 degrees (32 celsius).
- Camera – If you own a camera with a telephoto lens, bring it. While great photos can be taken without a high power zoom, nothing beats a great telephoto lens…lol
- Snacks/Drinks – We provide bottled water, but we suggest bringing along plenty of snacks and special drinks. While AMAZING, you are spending a fair amount of time in the vehicle.
The Adventure Brings – You’ll head out of the Phoenix area @ 7AM; arriving in the Navajo Nation (Indian Reservation) about 4hrs later.
Along the way, you’re going to be shocked by the changes in landscape. There’s nothing boring about the scenery to Canyon de Chelly, and you’ll be happy we’re doing the driving. Every mile, something new pops up. You’ll climb from the desert floor (1200 feet) to pine country @ over 6000 feet.
ARRIVAL – Canyon de Chelly is a true natural wonder. Occupied by Native American tribes for 1000’s of years; the history and beauty are everywhere. There are two, very different, scenic drives. The South Rim and the North Rim. You will be seeing both.
SOUTH RIM DRIVE – The South Rim Canyon de Chelly drive takes about 3 hours to compete, and features 7 canyon overlooks; three of which are featured below.
White House Overlook
This is the most popular overlook since it lies opposite the famous White House Ruins, an 80-room settlement scenically situated beneath a graceful, slightly overhanging cliff streaked with desert varnish. But the overlook also has good views over several miles of the canyon and of a few large, semi-detached buttes upstream, from an elongated cliff edge just beyond the parking lot.
In the mood for a hike? We encourage it.
The White House Ruin Trail starts here, and much of its route is in view from the overlook, as is the dirt road beside Chinle Wash, taking jeep travelers to the ruins and beyond. The White House is easy enough to photograph from the viewpoint since it is relatively close (2,000 feet) and evenly lit. There is a smaller cliff dwelling in view a little way west.
Spider Rocks Overlook
The easternmost viewpoint on the South Rim Drive, and perhaps the best, is of Spider Rocks, the twin towers of sandstone guarding the confluence of Canyon de Chelly with Bat and Monument canyons to the south. A 1/4 mile path leads to the overlook, which also has a good panorama back towards Face Rock and a V-shaped tributary ravine on the north side. A ‘No Vending’ notice warns against Navajo jewelry sellers, who are usually in residence at all the other overlooks. The surroundings are now quite overgrown, with pinyon pine and juniper, bushes and yucca, quite different to the open, sandy, desert-like conditions around Chinle, since although the wash on the canyon floor remains fairly level, the rim plateau steadily rises; the elevation at Spider Rocks Overlook is nearly 7,000 feet, 1,500 feet higher than the town.
Sliding House Overlook
Reached by a side road, Sliding House Overlook is close to several ancient structures, most visibly Sliding House Ruin, a medium-sized site in a shady alcove, built on a sloping surface and giving the appearance of sliding downwards. The overlook is situated on a projecting section of the canyon rim edged by sheer cliffs on three sides, and so allows different views from each edge. Canyon de Chelly hereabouts is particularly steep-walled and spectacular.
NORTH RIM DRIVE – The North Rim drive takes about 2 hours to compete, and features 3 canyon overlooks.
Antelope House Overlook
The first North Rim overlook used to be of Ledge Ruin, but this has been closed for many years because of safety issues. Instead, Canyon del Muerto is first glimpsed at Antelope House Overlook, along a little side road. A short path heads south, soon splitting – the east branch leads to an overlook up the canyon, where a massive, protruding wall of sandstone (Navajo Fortress, once used by the local tribespeople to shelter from invaders) divides Canyon del Muerto from Black Rock Canyon to the south. The west branch is to a viewpoint of Antelope House Ruin, below a vertical, 600 foot cliff. The site is quite extensive, including kivas and towers, but is rather difficult to photograph, being in shadow all day, just beyond a strip of light colored sand which is in full sun. Another, smaller dwelling (Battle Cove Ruin) is visible on the south side of the canyon.
Mummy Cave Overlook
This overlook, right on the cliff edge, is of a nice group of ruins on the far side of the canyon, to the northeast. The main structure, usually in full sun, is an impressive, angular, fort-like building with a three storey tower, sat on a projecting, sheer-walled buttress. There are many other ruined buildings at either side (over 80 rooms in total), in two deep alcoves near the base of the cliffs. The site was named following the discovery of two mummies nearby.
Massacre Cave Overlook
Reached by the same side road as Mummy Cave, Massacre Cave Overlook has short paths to two viewpoints; one of the cave, which is another big alcove, and was the site of a massacre in 1805. Many Navajo tribespeople had taken shelter in the cave, whilst under attack from Spanish soldiers, the location being difficult to enter from below but within view of the canyon rim, and as a result, after a day of fighting, over 110 were killed. The other overlook is of a small ruin (Yucca Cave) tucked into a side canyon alcove, reached after descending a short set of steps.
Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
After breakfast we head out to Antelope Canyon; which takes about 3 hours. Most of this leg takes place in the Painted Desert. Layer upon layer of different colored rock. Yet another amazing view out every window.
Antelope Canyon Walking Tour (Day 2)
NOTE: You’ll have Antelope Canyon ticket options during the checkout process.
We’ll take care of your reservations. Antelope Canyon is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation, and they have complete control of the tours inside the canyon.
AVAILABILITY: There are about 7.5 billion people on the planet, and many want to visit Antelope Canyon between the months of April and October. We will do our best to make your reservation, but if it’s within 2 weeks of your requested tour date, it may prove difficult. If we have issues, we’ll keep you apprised.
Upper Antelope Canyon – The upper canyon is flat, and requires no climbing.
Lower Antelope Canyon – The lower canyon requires climbing. In order to move through the canyon, you’ll be asked to climb ladders, stairs and step-ups.
Horseshoe Bend – NO FEE
Depending on when you’re able to secure your reservation in Antelope Canyon, we’ll see Horseshoe Bend. There is no fee to see the Canyon, but it does require an easy 2 mile hike round trip. If you’re in moderate physical shape, you shouldn’t have any issues. There are plenty of places to stop, sit, drink some water and relax.
Mercedes Deluxe Sprinter Van (Seats 14)
Our Mercedes Sprinter is a 1st Class Executive Van.
- What you’d expect traveling 1st Class
- Wide comfortable soft leather seats
- Room to stretch your legs
- TV/Blueray
- Table
- Rear entertainment system
- Bottled water included
- Does not include – Hotel, Meals, Antelope Canyon Tour Fee, 3rd Party Tours, your Guides Tip.
- Book below, or call (480) 256-8268
- email Todd direct at todd@toddsamazingtours.com
Mercedes/Airstream Interstate Lounge (Seats 8)
Our Mercedes/Airstream Interstate Lounge is our EXCLUSIVE rolling resort. Seating up to 8 Guests, you’re leaving nothing behind.
- Our NEW – EXCLUSIVE TOUR OPTION – BOOKING OUT QUICKLY
- Bathroom, Microwave, Kitchenette
- What you’d expect traveling 1st Class
- Wide comfortable soft leather seats
- Room to stretch your legs
- Satellite TV/DVD
- Table
- Rear entertainment system
- Bottled water included
- Does not include – Hotel, Meals, Antelope Canyon Tour Fee, 3rd Party Tours, your Guides Tip.
- Book below, or call (480) 256-8268
- email Todd direct at todd@toddsamazingtours.com
Luxury "Explorer" Van (Seats 8)
Wide, Comfortable Seats
- What you’d expect traveling 1st Class
- Wide comfortable soft leather seats
- Room to stretch your legs
- TV/Blueray
- Rear entertainment system
- Bottled water included
- Does not include – Hotel, Meals, Antelope Canyon Tour Fee, 3rd Party Tours, your Guides Tip.
- Book below, or call (480) 256-8268
- email Todd direct at todd@toddsamazingtours.com
Luxury SUV (Seats 6)
Loaded SUV
- What you’d expect traveling 1st Class
- Wide comfortable soft leather seats
- Room to stretch your legs
- Bottled water included
- Does not include – Hotel, Meals, Antelope Canyon Tour Fee, 3rd Party Tours, your Guides Tip.
- Book below, or call (480) 256-8268
- email Todd direct at todd@toddsamazingtours.com
Luxury Sedan (Seats 3)
Legroom Galore
- What you’d expect traveling 1st Class
- Wide comfortable soft leather seats
- Room to stretch your legs
- Bottled water included
- Does not include – Hotel, Meals, Antelope Canyon Tour Fee, 3rd Party Tours, your Guides Tip.
- Book below, or call (480) 256-8268
- email Todd direct at todd@toddsamazingtours.com
Departure times VARY throughout the year. We will contact you by email with your actual departure time.