We took the tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. This is what it was like.
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- čas přidán 9. 04. 2023
- We took the tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. This is what it was like.
Here's the tour company we used:
www.antelopecanyon.com/
We also stopped at Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam.
Music by Artlist:
- Carmen Bizet - Ohad Ben Ari
- Transparent Moment - Roie Shpigler
- Regression - Liquid Memories
- Cherry Pie Rag - O P Baron
![2 days in Page, Arizona | antelope canyon, horseshoe bend, monument valley [arizona travel vlog]](/img/n.gif)
My wife and me have been there in summer 1995: No guide, no entrance fee, no people . Only we two from old Germany. These times never come back.
I agree, everything is commercialised now although still good to do before the world collapses :)
Super souvenir 👍👏
I first visited Upper Antelope Canyon about 1984, making up a group of five landscape photographers. I'd never heard of the place and was bowled over by the experience. No tours, no road. Just a Navajo guy who was posted to open a gate in a wire fence along the highway (otherwise unmarked) and collect a fifteen dollar fee. It was understood that while he was supposed to be there by ten AM, he might not make it until after noon, or not at all, and that was "okay". We elected to hire another guy to haul us from highway to canyon slot, about three miles over open sand (no road) in his 4-wheel drive truck. He stayed in the truck and ate lunch. We spent as long as we wanted, wandering by ourselves up and back through the some half mile of canyon. I used a view camera on a tripod to shoot long time exposures inside the canyon. No one was throwing dirt in the air to catch "light beams". We may have run into three or four other small groups during about an hour and a half. I think I went there three more times over nearly 20 years. The last time, the tribe had assumed control over the property. Only organized tour groups could go there. We hired a "photo tour", which trucked us from the same strip mall seen in the video, used custom trucks, provided a knowledgeable photo guide, who was a big help to the less experienced or informed about how to get the most dramatic shots. Although we had a schedule, our guide recognized that a few of us were serious hobbyists, and simply told us to take as long as we wanted. We paid $65 each for the privilege. Today, the tribe has fully monetized the place. The longer and less dense photo tours are gone, so a higher volume of tourists can be herded though in the same time. Traffic, and that's what it is, is now one-way, so they don't lose space and time with people trekking back through the canyon to their starting point. Prices are up to around $100 for a very time limited and controlled experience, sort of like a Disney ride. Pricing aside, the experience is vastly diminished, and many who take the trip may be disenchanted in the end. While at 77, it is unlikely that I will go that way again in any event, I think I'd settle for viewing the many videos available, cleaned up of the crowds, dirt throwers, and "OK folks, let's keep it moving" theme. If you want a cheaper canyon tour where you can take photos, go through Canyon X. It's not quite the experience, but still offers much opportunity. No matter how much I'd prefer the former ways, I cannot blame the tribe for grossly monetizing the Antelope Canyon experience. Until modern times, they were poor to the point of being just this side of living at all. Until the 1970s, if some white guys had figured out how to do the same thing, they would have had Congress carve this bit of geography out of the reservation and give it over to them to suck dry. The US of A took everything the tribe historically had and dumped them here, thinking that they were getting squat. They are entitled to make some bucks out of it, even if it does shade over the tribe's historical mantra of "we are the stewards of the land".
So, so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Antelope Canyon is gorgeous, but I'm so glad that my wife and I went there with two friends in 1989. It was still only known by word of mouth then. No tours were required and they didn't even exist. We used a physical map to find the location and drove our car up the wash to the entrance to the canyon. We had it to ourselves the whole time we were there. An entirely different experience from what it is now. That said, it's so beautiful that it's still worth going there once if you haven't been before.
Crowds as expected. Yep- I'll pass. Thanks for being the tourist on this one and sharing the moments of beauty within the Canyon.
Yeah. Is what it is. Tina flat out refused to go. Glad I went, but doubt I'll go back.
My wife and I were there just last week. The crowds weren’t bad at all. I think it just depends on when you go. I’d definitely try to beat the Summer crowds. Im curious if they changed their “No Video” policy. They were literally escorting visitors out of the canyon for non- compliance.
Thanks for such an honest video. As soon as the music starts, you know what kind of tone the video is going to have :D Well done! It is incredibly beautiful though - definitely one of the visually most stunning 150 meters of canyon out there.
Yeah....Mixed feelings. I tried to convey it as it was, but also put shots of just the canyon opposite the crowds. And I left the noise as is. Beautiful canyon though.
Last time I was there was 1990. Took a friend there for two days of photos. We were the only people there the entire time. Sad to see it so crowded. 😢
Yes. Industrial tourism has invaded the formerly remote places and spaces.
@@DavGreg well this is on Native American land afterall.
We’ve lived on the Rez our whole lives and have never been to antelope canyon. It’s something we want to do. Your video is inspiring.
Beautiful ❤
I was in Page a couple weeks ago. We took the Canyon X tour. We enjoyed it. It felt a little less crowded since there is only one tour company that goes to that portion of the canyon. However, my son's favorite hike in the area was Cathedral Wash, thanks to your recommendation in your Page video. We also enjoyed the Toadstool Hoodoos. So many amazing features in the landscape up there. As always, thanks for your honest opinions and on- and off-the-beaten-path recommendations.
I'll second Canyon X. It was cheaper and less crowded. They don't allow you to take video though.
Incredible share liked this clip
Hey! That's me on the video. Awesome!!! 🙏🙌 Hope your trip is going well. Come back again for the light beams. Safe travels.
Were you in our tour group? That's crazy.
looks amazing
Wow, I did this almost 20 years ago. I'm glad I saw it without so many people, and when you could walk back through it to get back to the tour trucks. Our guide even let our group take longer because some of us were photographers.
Me too! It looks... sad now
Magnificent!
I have no issues with having other people around as long as everyone is respectful of the land….we have to share this earth.
It is what it is. If a place is beautiful and easily accessed, it's going to be crowded. We're all just part of the crowd at that point, so can't really complain.
@@JerryArizona there are a ton of beautifull places off the beaten track , everywhere..i am not one of the herdpeople,
Thanks Jerry for taking to a place I’ll never get to.
I don’t love the crowds, but dang, that place is remarkable.
Thanks to an uncontrolled birthrate for the past 5 decades
Bro. As a hiker, that kind of looked like hell. 🤣 All that beauty, and you can't really enjoy it. I'll take any one of a half a dozen slot canyons over that for some peace and quiet. Thanks for a real look. I'll try this one when I'm 80. 😁
I definitely prefer a less on rails type of experience. I had to do it though.
Looks incredible. It's a shame about having to do it in a tour group, but sometimes you just gotta suck it up to experience something that would be otherwise unavailable.
I hate crowds more than most (I don't even go to the grocery store in the day time), but I could deal with it for a couple hours for a one-off experience like this. There are plenty of hidden gems where I can be alone, but sometimes I want to see something popular and it's usually popular for good reason.
Very true. Not what I normally like, but sometimes you have to hang with the crowds to see the good stuff.
We've yet to do Antelope Canyon in any way because of this right here. As Arizonans it feels wrong but going in and knowing the absolute quiet and peace that place COULD have versus the shuffling and echoed voices is hard. One day I'm sure we'll take a tour as it's a gorgeous place but man... So many people. 😅
if you want to do something bad enough, you'll do it. Complaining about the people, the weather, gas prices, blah blah blah is nothing more than saying you're lazy and finding excuses not to go. Going to the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa is a life changing experience, and guess what you're in a crowd. Sunrise at the Grand Canyon, yup people will be there. Snow at Yosemite, yup more people. I saw my first pic of antelope canyon in a nat geo magazine in the 80's as a kid. Nothing was going to stop me from experiencing that in person and yes there was people but I don't regret it not one damn bit.
I've visited many canyons in the US South West, but Antelope Canyon, especially the lower canyon, are without doubt, the most beautiful and awe inspiring.
Do tours included handicappbvisitord
I recommend calling one of the tour companies and asking, but I am pretty sure you have to go in one direction and the way out requires steps. The canyon floor is also sand and there is no packed walkway. (I put the link to the website of the tour company we used in the description.)
We went to the Lower Canyon in mid March. Due to the cold weather we had smaller groups on the tour, what made it very enjoyable. 🙂👍
Nice music
drove right past there once and couldn't stop. Someday!!!
That just reminded me why I vowed never to go. It seems like people who visit Arizona tend to go to Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. There's so much more to Arizona, and I'm thankful to have been a part of its more wild places.
I had to go. Pretty much what I expected. Tina flat out refused. This is why it's good to know how to backpack and canyoneer.
Gawd....that tour looked painful!! Havasupai soon!! Timmy C Arizona
Maybe I'll see you down there!
I went there in Summer of 1984 with my girlfriend. (We were in college in Tucson.) No one else was around. We also hiked up Navajo Mountain and then backpacked to Rainbow Bridge. Then we backpacked Paria Canyon. Great time with few people!
Great routes! I need to get back to Rainbow Bridge. Tina and I had the whole trail to ourselves a few years ago.
As I was watching this I could not help but wonder what Ed Abbey would think of it all.
I am ever so thankful that many places now overrun with tourists were places I got to see when the numbers were few and no cellphones were around.
I find ways around the crowds still. Although it usually involves getting up really early, a backpack and/or ropes and a harness.
Sadly these days if it wasn't for these tours with babysitting, every surface in arms reach would be defaced. Look at other slot canyons around GSENM or Grosvenor Arch.
I did this tour back in October, 2010. Not nearly as many people. It's a beautiful place.
Been there, it was GREAT.
Uff... the absurdity of visiting such an incredible place with only like 17,239 other people all standing in the same spot.
Looks like a gaggle of lemmings.😂 I am so grateful I grew up in Utah and was able to experience that whole area without a billion people. I still get disappointed every time I go to Zion and have to take the tour bus into the main canyon. Oh the good old days.😢
Thanks for bringing us a long Jerry You never disappoint. 👍🔥
This is why I'm so happy I've taken up backpacking and canyoneering. Takes work, but getting away from the crowds is worth it.
@@JerryArizona I love your work brother, even if there are a thousand tourists around you. You really have an eye for perspective and I enjoy all of your adventures. 👍
Did both upper and lower about 4 years ago...and I can't imagine it without the guides. It would be a nightmare.
Yeah, it would be chaos.
When I did this trip, there was no loop. You just walked back through the canyon through other tours. It was super fun walking into a group of Chinese tourists who paid a lot of money for the photography tour and I had to squeeze past 9 tripods.
Yeah. Beautiful canyon, but they may as well have you in a cart on rails like in a Disneyland ride.
@@JerryArizona I wish I had asked my Navajo friends if they could have got me in during covid :) That would have been remarkable.
White pocket is a great place to go and most people don’t even know about it so it’s not crowded at all. Maybe because it’s kind of hard to get to also. When I went in 2019 there was nobody else there.
Nicely done, great video and liked your sense of humor (might be our last trip together! :) )....for old parents who are 70, do see any part of this tour that can be hard to climb, like a ladder up the top? They can handle regular walks and stairs just fine.
No ladders on this trip (upper Antelope.) You walk up an incline at the end, then stairs to get back down to the vehicles. And it's pretty short. The canyon itself is flat with no obstacles.
Antelope Canyon is beautiful, no question about that. I did both, upper and lower tours few years ago.
However, for a way less crowded tour, you can visit Canyon X, it’s also a little smaller, but technically the same canyon. 😎👍
We only did Antelope Canyon X to avoid the crowds. It has 2 canyons one is V shaped and the other is A shaped (smaller / larger at top or bottom). I got the same beautiful pictures as any of the upper or lower Antelope canyons and I recommended it too.
I've heard Canyon X is great. I need to check it out.
For a more adventurous tour, you can take the “Cardiac Canyon” tour, they run from the same place as Canyon X. Webpage says it’s a 6 hours tour 😮
Tumble weed was perfect in that shot !
Very beautiful, the way the colors play across the sandstone. However, i'd been tempted to tell every body to hush. Y'all know it was raining when we left, with all this noise we won't be able to hear that wall of water coming at us. Sshhhh.......................🙂
Haha! Never thought of that.
I've never gone there because of the crowds. But it is such a beautiful slot canyon I'm going to have to go see it someday anyway.
That would be my preference.
It is very much worth the crowds! You have to go see it it’s awesome.
is it less crowded on christmas day or new years ? like previous post i did cathedral wash to and was happy ! also did that steep hike to ! liked that lees ferry area! thanks jerry, maybe explore vermillion cliffs area next !
I have a sneaky feeling this place is always crowded. You can check with the online reservations and see if they have open spots around the holidays. Maybe you'll get lucky. I've heard Canyon X is right there, very similar but much fewer people.
You forgot to mention Navajo time zone
We did the Lower Antelope Canyon tour with Dixie Ellis Tours. It was amazing! Our guide was excellent, the fees are much better. Views are amazing!
By the way, if you stay at Motel 6, they offer a list of where to eat,tour, camp, and a local map.
I did the lower antelope canyon, and the tour guide had to rush me out because I was terrified of how steep of a ladder we had to climb down, never again will I do it.
Thanks for this video. The crowds are worse than I imagined.
Yup!
If you have not visited Lower Antelope do it. A little more compact and tighter passages. Colors more than upper. I have done both. Looks like you were either late PM or early AM. Best time is 11am to 1:30 PM to get the sun rays.
Yeah, I need to do lower. I've done upper and from the lake. Wasn't really the right time of year (or day) for good lighting either.
Hi, been a while since I’ve been there. As others have said, it was a much better experience before the internet made it easy to find. One comment though about time. It is on Navajo time, not Arizona time. Same time zone, but the Navajo nation does observe daylight savings time, unlike the rest of Arizona. So anyone who visits needs to keep that in mind. Sometimes it’s on Utah time, other times it’s on Arizona time. You need to know so you don’t miss your time slot.
Good to know.
Went a long time ago, bought tickets from a woman in a pick up at the turnoff, no one there except our party of 4, walked thru and back out the same way…no steps or catwalk. Spectacular.
As always you did a wonderful job with your videography, despite the crowded situation. Maybe ask Clint to stop doing his rain dance. 😊
Although his rain dance almost kills us, it does make for good lighting.
The camera trick the guides sometimes tell you is to put your camera on night mode, takes better pictures. Take the noon tour to get the better orange glowing rocks and the light beams, it's worth the extra money.
It’s too bad that they no longer offer the “photographer tour”. I’m almost embarrassed to say that I did it about 20 years ago (oh, so long ago). The tour was about 1.5hrs in Upper with about 15 other photographers - tripods were allowed and even encouraged!
I went on the “photography” tour, paid more, got jammed in with a normal tour.
Rip off!
The next day we went on a hummer… hint, hint.
Where we could use tripods without them being kicked as hoards
shuffled by.
Skip the guided tours as they pack so many people on a cattle car without enough seat belts or space.
I don’t recommend this tour if you’re there to take photos.
@@justlookin3 I don't get what you are hinting at??? i thought you could only go with a guide
@@jeffMinnesota952 I went on Hummer Adventure (if they are still in business)
They have an agreement with private owner natives who they pay for going on the land and slot canyons where photos are allowed plus tripods. The hummer people stay and guide you through the slots. No one else is admitted.
It was better than Antelope and equally as beautiful. I did tours on separate days. We originally booked two days at Antelope and went in and requested our deposit back for the second day.
They understood that we were not happy with our tour and let us have our reservations back on the credit card.
That is what the hint was… Hummer Adventure. They use a Hummer to get to the slots. Don’t sit in the front seat if you’re not comfortable in extreme up and down rock climbing in a vehicle.
Hope this answers the hint.
I took the photography tour in 2019, shortly before they stopped offering these. It was a bit stressful for everybody because our guide kind of herded the "normal" groups out of our picture frame, which always took a while and pissed the normal tourists off quite a bit. Then we held up traffic while we set up our tripods and all. I mean the results were stunning, but it wasn't well organised, they shouldn't have put photography tours on the same time slot as normal tours.
Antelope Canyon was closed in 2021 when we visited Arizona.
Beautiful place, but those crowds are stressing me out and I'm not even there!
It definitely takes a different mindset. I went in expecting though, which helped.
At what time did you do this? We are not getting any slots for afternoon!
Wow...
I'm not sure I have much more than that.
Yeah.....
Make arrangements with a guide to do a private tour for you and Tina
I don't think I could pay Tina enough to go.
Can you bring an actual real camera? I only noticed people with their phones... which can not capture the awe inspiring true colors and dynamic ranges of the rich colors of the canyon.
I looked at their website and you can carry a handheld camera, but no tripod and no bags or packs of any kind, including fanny packs. But you better be prepared to spray and pray, because from what I've seen and read they move you through very quickly.
Yeah man. What this other guy said. And it is nearly impossible to get a good shot because they move you along like a Disneyland ride. It's almost iphone shots only. I can't imagine setting a manual on my Canon fast enough. They used to do photography tours, but they stopped doing that. Look into Canyon X, Waterholes or Buckskin.
We went a few years back and our guide showed us how to make the colors pop on the iPhone…..sadly I do no remember the trick….like the lower canyon actually better of the two.
I think it has a lot to do with lighting. We went at the wrong time of year and wrong time of day.
That walkway was not there in 2018. We walked back through, but was told not to stop or take pictures.
Did South Antelope four years ago. Crowded..yes..amazing ..yes. They offered a photographer tour at an extra cost that I wish I'd taken advantage of. I don't believe that option is available anymore. Would I do it again? Probably though the cost has close to have doubled which,unfortunately, hasn't seemed to deter anyone.
Unfortunately, they don't offer the photographer tours anymore. I'm guessing they can take more people without them.
Beautiful place. Don't you just LOVE all of the people! Consider paying extra for a photo tour with limited people in group and more time for photos without people in them?
A photographer tour is no longer offered.
Yeah, it's a bummer. I have no idea how you would even get a decent picture, it's so crowded. My friend said people kept bumping into his tripod when he went. Now that I've been, I would imagine that would be the case.
I went to both the Upper Antelope canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon. The biggest downside of visiting the canyon is that it requires a tour, which means experiencing large crowds. Based on views, I enjoyed the Lower Canyon more. However, the quality of the experience depends on who you get as your guide. Our Lower Canyon guide didn't talk much and didn't seem engaged, which I didn't mind, but it begs the question of what is the point of the tour guide.
what is the point of the tour guide.? employment
@@DavGreg to keep people from destroying the slot canyons.
I work as a tour guide at Adventurous Tours and in the 90’s 11 people got washed away in a flash flood due to language barrier and not listening. 10 died. So parks and Rec took over and started to require a guide.
I'm surprised you guys were allowed to film there. When I visited in 2019, our guide told us that pictures were okay bit filming strictly forbidden.
The guide said all video and photography was fine.
it's a gorgeous place, but no peace and quiet with all those tourists talking.
At what time was this tour? I heard for the red colors you must be there very early?
Not sure what time we went. The guide said the best lighting also depends on the time of year. I recommend calling a guide and asking them the prime time for photos.
Is there such thing as off-season to see this? serious question. Or is it busy like this all the time?
I don't think there's an off season, honestly. It's just one of those places that's always busy. I've heard you can try Canyon X for a similar experience and lower crowds. (Or kayak in from the lake although Antelope isn't as slotted up down there.)
Anyone been to the canyon in Dec. We just booked tickets to be in Page on Dec 29th
I think this was April, but as long as it hasn't snowed too much, you should be fine in December.
You reaffirmed this is not the tour for me. I'm going to be in Kanab for a week at the beginning of October and I'll do Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons instead of taking this tour.
Solid plan.
How come when we went there they don’t allow videotaping, 2 months ago
Not really sure unless they changed the rules. Our guide made it a point to tell us it wasn’t a problem taking video or pictures.
Hi!
How was the parking?
It was easy? Did you need to pay for it? The boarding area is close to the parking?
Thanks!
Parking was in a lot by the place we toured with. It was in town and the canyon was a short shuttle ride. I think it depends on what tour group you use, but they're all fairly similar, I believe. Search "Antelope Canyon Tours" and I'm sure something will pop up. Just book in advance because they do fill up.
Waaaay too many people. I'm thinking that a cold winter day would be the way to go.
I'm thinking it's always this crowded. Seems like they're sold out every time I look regardless of the weather. (Rainstorms notwithstanding, of course.)
@JerryArizona how long did this tour take from pick up to drop off?
Honestly. Any remember. I want to say it’s a half day adventure. Start to finish. I’d recommend calling one of the tour places and asking. I believe I put a link to who we used in the description.
About an 1 for tour and 15 min for ride to and from canyon
Hey Jerry, have you heard of Labyrinth Canyon on Lake Powell?
Rode a jet ski up it last year. Amazing experience.
This would be a great place to see but the crowd is a big turnoff. Do you have to take a tour to see it?
Yeah, a tour is required. Maybe look into Canyon X or Waterholes for lower crowds.
I thought backpacks were not allowed
Our tour guide didn't say anything about it. Not sure if that's specific to the tour guide, the entire area or what. But our guide went over the rules and it wasn't mentioned.
Can you share which tour guide company you used?
Shoot. Forgot to add that. Just added a link in the description. Antelope Canyon Tours.
I have been enjoying your video style. It’s a shame it’s behind a pay wall and only stresses the importance of our NPS.
Similar videos in Hindi on #DestinationsDiaries ???
Wow I can't believe you actually went to crowded tourist trap 😂 jk. How much is it now to visit the alot ?
Can't remember what the cost was. It was nice to have a mellow break in between a couple of more intense adventures. But yeah. Lots and lots of people.....
@@JerryArizona that's what matters right, having a break.
$137 total
what time did you do this tour?
I can't remember exactly. I think this was April and one of their earlier tours in the day. If you go, you should research the lighting at different times of the day and year. It was definitely not optimal lighting for photography when we went.
I find crowds to distracting...I don't think I will do this one.
Yeah. I just figured I'd show exactly what it was like. Pretty much as expected.
We did Antelope Canyon tour several years ago and we broke the rules... as soon as we got down in the canyon, us and another guy split from the group and went farther into the canyon. I shot video and they guys both took photos without having peoples heads in our shots. It was awesome. When the group finally caught up to us at the end, the guide was giving us angry stares. We thought he was going to do something back at the office but he didn't. It was worth it.
Too crowded now to make it worthwhile as a photographer.
Not sure if they still do the photography tours. I know they did, then they stopped....But I agree. If you want to pull out a tripod and wait for perfect lighting and no people in the shot, the regular tour won't give that to you.
@@JerryArizonayeah and it seems like they don't let you hang around very long
What time was your tour?
I can't remember exactly. Fairly early in the morning though. I highly recommend if you're planning it to ask the tour company the best time of day for lighting for pictures (and time of year, actually.) We didn't think about that and the lighting was pretty harsh when we were there.
Thanks for your suggestion, I'll keep that in mind @@JerryArizona
This is sad, such an iconic place has now officially become a Navajo Disneyland of sorts. They really should consider changing this to a lottery styled access as in The Wave, it would help reduce this overcrowding situation and give us photographers more scope. Just as an aside I visited Horseshoe Bend twice last month, first time it was heaving with people and literally as I got to the overlook we got drenched (makes for some awesome pics though). Second time was a few days later after doing the Moab/Canyonlands circuit, guess what, it rained again! And we waited and waited and waited for the sunset, never happened due to heavy cloud cover! I swear I'll visit again when the sun shines!
Think what would happen if it wasn't guided, I've seen that and its not GOOD!
Way too many humans, sad that it has become so overcrowded...
Looks like a S show
Shame about all the people and mobile phones. It's like visiting a concert and everyone watches it through their phone screens. Crazy and sad that the world has lost the ability to enjoy nature and things without their mobile phones.
I usually make it a point to get my video, then set down the camera and enjoy it in the moment. No such luck at a place like this though.
Upper is terrible. Lower is limited in the number of people who go into the tour. Getting to upper Antelope made me think of Mad Max road race.
The drive in certainly reminded me of that. The rest reminded me of Disneyland.
@@JerryArizona Stick with lower Antelope. It is friendlier to the people who come there.
I dont think I'd be able to enjoy it.
It's....tough.