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Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon Key Features
These are some of the key features that differentiate Upper Antelope Canyon from Lower Antelope Canyon.
· Sunbeams through the canyon
· Falling sand
· Canyon forms an A-shape; it is wider at the ground level of the canyon than it is at the top of the canyon.
· Off season times are still beautiful; colors are rich and deep.
Physical Features
- Easy, flat walk – 1/4 of a mile
- Some wheelchair accessibility – ask your tour operator for details.
- Bring bottled water, comfortable walking shoes.
- It’s VERY hot during the summer and very cold in the winter; wear closed-toe shoes and dress in layers.
- No bags of any kind
- Bring your camera
- No tripods, monopods, selfie-sticks, unless you’re on the photographer’s tour
- Check with your operator if you have children under 7 years old – some operators do not allow children under a certain age.
- No bathrooms in the canyon; use the bathroom before you get on the 4×4 jeep.
- Tours will be canceled if there is ANY risk of flooding in the canyon
Types of Tours
Traditional Sightseeing tour 90 minutes. Bring a camera, but no tripods, monopods or selfie sticks. Guides narrate tour with info on history, culture, ecology, geography.
Photographer’s Tour 2-2.5 hours. Must bring professional-grade photographic equipment: DSLR camera with LARGE TRIPO. Guides will give tips on how to take the best pictures – you still must know your own camera.
There will still be many people in the canyon from the other tour groups, but your group will be small, and you will have extended time in the canyon.
Camera Tips
- Change your camera lens in the canyon at your own risk – there is a lot of sand! Protect your camera from falling sand with a rain jacket.
- Know how to work your own camera – even on the photographer’s tours, the tour guides will not help you figure out how to make your camera work.
- Best time for photographing light beams are April-September. 10:30AM is best.
Crowd Control
The canyon is very narrow, and there are hundreds of people the canyon at a time. Be kind to your fellow tourists and your guide. Everyone is searching for that perfect photo of the sunbeams coming through the canyon – be patient; you’ll get your turn. The best time for sunbeams is 10:30am, but even if you can’t get this time slot, the other times are still magnificent. At 3pm and 5pm the crowds are getting smaller; there may be moments when you have the canyon to yourself.
Tour Operators
Antelope Canyon Tours
Make your reservation at https://www.antelopecanyon.com/
- Different price points for different times
- Different prices for adults and children
- 7 sightseer tours throughout the day
- 2 photographer tours available; no children allowed
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
Make your reservation at www.navajotours.com
- Sightseeing tours depart every hour on the top of the hour; first tour leaves at 8:45
- Photographer’s tours departs at 11AM
Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours
Make your reservation at www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
- Different price points for different times.
- Different prices for adults and children.
- Sightseeing tours
- 6:30am, 8:30, 10:30, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00
- Photographer’s Tours NOT available
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours
Make your reservation at www.navajoantelopecanyon.com
- Different price points for different times.
- Different price points for adults and children.
- Photographer’s Tours
- 10:15am, 2:30pm, and 2 hours after sunset
- Sightseer Tours
- 8:30am, 10:15am, 12:30, 2:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm
Has other tour options that will take you into additional slot canyons.
Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours
Make your reservation at www.antelopecanyon.com
Off season rates available January and February
- Sightseer’s Tour
- 8:00am, 9:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm
- (additional tours at 7:00am and 4:30pm available mid-March to mid-October)
- Photographer’s Tour – by request only!
- Not available during major holidays due to crowd sizes.
- In season (March-October) – 11:30am, 1:30pm
- Off season (November-February) – 9:30am, 11:30am
The Guides
All of the guides into Upper Antelope Canyon are locals. They are passionate members of the surrounding communities and have thorough knowledge of this particular canyon as well as information about the geology, ecology, history and culture of the area. They will help you find the right angle for your picture, all while narrating the entire tour. Please feel free to ask them questions, they are eager to share their insights into this world. They will earn every penny of the tip you provide!