I am hoping for some recommendations for our upcoming trip to Canyon de Chelly in a few weeks. It will be just the 2 of us, and DH has some mobility issues, so we will not be hiking. We’ll be staying at Thunderbird Lodge in Chinle for 3 nights, so we have 2 full days. We plan to self-drive the South and North Rims and will book a guided trip down into the Canyon itself.

- What company have you used that you would recommend?

- Is it better to book a private tour vs. a group tour? Group is less expensive, given it’s just us two, but is the private tour worth the extra cost?

- I know the Thunderbird uses Pinzgauer army troop carriers for groups. What do other groups use, and are the private jeeps much better?

- It seems like most options are for a 3-hour tour. Is that sufficient

- What would be your preferred time of day in late June? Not so much worried about the heat, but for photography reasons.

- Is Monument Valley close enough for a day trip, or is there enough to keep us occupied at Canyon de Chelly?

Thanks for any advice you might have for me.

There are about ten tour operators. Have you looked at their websites?

Yes. That is why I am asking for recommendations from anybody with particular good or bad experiences, in order to choose among them.