We woke up early in our tent around 6:00 am, still sore from our camping in Monument Valley, and today’s agenda was to visit Antelope Canyon and to reach Grand Canyon. Our tour for Antelope Canyon had to start at 9:00. Of course, we pre-booked the tour 5 months ago online and it was $43 per person at that time. I wasn’t sure if we get the spot if we book too close to the date, so I better planned not to miss the opportunity to see this canyon.
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We also passed this operator, which seems slightly cheaper.
On our way I also saw this funny sign next to one restaurant: Eclipse Special – Half burger for full price.
We were early for the tour. Backpacks not allowed, so we packed everything in sports sacks. We took us in special bus to the cave through dusty road. I think we were one of the first groups to arrive as the cave was almost empty when we arrived. This sign greeted us there, which turns to be true and lizards to live there.
I was expecting somewhat better views to be honest. The guide told us to put ISO setting to 800 and cloudy or sunny for best pictures. Without those settings pictures didn’t look that good. Well most of mine were still all blurry, but I did capture some good shots too and of course some of them got ruined by people being in them. Good luck taking a picture without any human beings!
The guide was walking very quickly, as if he forgot a kettle at home. Honestly, there was not much time for pictures. Basically he was pointing a laser where to take a picture and you had to shoot immediately. You’ve got only one shot – no retries! After around 20 min people started coming in and out, so it was difficult to even spot a place without any people. They didn’t tell much of history how it formed etc. I heard other guides were more interesting from passing the other groups, so do choose your guide operator carefully!
He pointed to the Antelope head which you can see above in the canyon walls only from one, certain point on the ground.
Towards the end of the tour it was hard to pass so many people! It is just a milking cow this canyon. I felt really annoyed.
It was too dark to take good pictures sometimes as you did need a high ISO on your camera. Do check if your camera has ISO of 800 or higher before going in there as you won’t have time to tinker with your camera in there! I think it was better to pay double for photography tour where one can put out their tripod to take pictures. Though according to this article, the photography tours are no longer provided either.
After the canyon, highly disappointed and full mouth of sand, we went to have a lunch. If you go to Antelope Canyon do take a face mask or a respirator!
We went to eat lunch at Dam Bar & Grille. We were served by a waiter Sam and she did a great job! The house special steak and chicken wings were delicious! Once again, everyone was tired and irritated and I had a small argument with my friend at the table, when he asked me to move and my hands were full of chicken wings. A funny moment when I remember years later.
Once we were full, we went back to the beach in Glen Canyon near our camping ground. Had a swim, cooled down and were on our way to Grand Canyon.
Colorado River Gorge Overlook
There was a lot of arguing and shouting, silence and crying in the car before we reached Grand Canyon. Everyone were too tired being closed space all the time, and camping in one tent for 4 nights in a row. Also, it was day 13 of our trip, so everyone needed their own space.
First stop of Grand Canyon was Little Colorado River Gorge Overlook. We had to donate few dollars for entrance.
We stopped at several view points of Grand Canyon but it was cloudy. One of those stops was Desert view Visitor Center.
Grand Canyon
Then Grandview Point of Grand Canyon.
Annually, approximately 2.4 visitors die from falls in the Grand Canyon. Men are over 2.5 times more likely than women to suffer fatal falls there.
Navajo fuel was more expensive as it had a tribal tax in top, which was much more to what we’ve paid in Chicago. Do fuel up before entering Navajo land!
We arrived to campground in Grand Canyon quite late and there were so many deers on the road! We saw like 20 of them! You should drive very carefully in those places, especially at night, when you can’t really see them.
166 miles today.
By the way the hotels/motels in Grand Canyon costs around £170 (~$217), while camping just $18. Such a big difference! Also I prefer to be closer to nature!
Links to camping booking in Grand Canyon: Natioanl Park Service and Mather Campground.
Overall, the day was full of amazing views, but at the same time slightly disappointing. Antelope Canyon tour was really rushed, so taking pictures and enjoying the views at the same time was not an option. You have to choose one or another. Grand Canyon was impressive, but we were too exhausted and overcrowded of experiences and views, that it didn’t left a big impression when we saw it. Maybe it is better to take it slow in you road trip, so you have time to take it all in. We had only one night in Gran Canyon, which is clearly not enough.
Tips for the Trip
- Book your camping spot in advance, so you guarantee you have one
- Use your National park Annual Pass to enter Grand Canyon National Park as described here.
- Make a million pictures, so at least some shots will be good. I didn’t take enough!
- When going to Antelope Canyon do chose your guide operator carefully and read reviews. Ours didn’t tell much about the Canyon itself.
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Very interesting, impressive in essence I must say.
Loved some of the pictures too!