monument Valley
 

Has anyone taken a tour of monument valley with someone other than Gouldings? <BR><BR>I was there last year and took Gouldings trip. I am going back this year with 2 aunts that wanted to see Monument Valley. I thought I would try something different. I thought they could go with Gouldings while myself and my son go with a horseback tour of the valley. We could meet back at Gouldings for lunch/dinner.<BR><BR>Any suggestions or opinions.

I hope you don't mind my piggy-backing on your question...We'll be staying at Goulding's ourselves this summer and wonder if you can advise us whether we're shortchanging ourselves if we do the half-day rather than the whole day tour?<BR>We're spending the night before there, but then moving on after the tour, so we didn't want to leave late in the day...<BR>I hope you get help with your answer!

We were there in October 2000 and stayed at Gouldings. We didn't take the tour available through them because the times did not coincide with our schedule. Instead, we went to the park and took a tour (about 2 hours, I believe) with one of the guides there. There are a number of guides right there. We lucked out because of the time we were there (late Oct.) and the time of day (soon after the park opened), we were the only two on this guide's tour. I personally think that 2 hours is enough--you can see a lot in that time. It was a great experience.

Eileen, you'll be okay with the half-day tour.<BR>Important: Make sure you get up early (before dawn), go out on your balcony at Goulding's and watch the sun come up over the monuments. Truly an awesome sight!

Has anyone used other than Gouldings or taken a horseback tour of the Valley?

We didn't do the Goulding's tour. Instead, we drove through the "allowed" section of the park to get our bearings. Then, the next day we did a two-hour horse back trip through the park with an Indian guide, who was very informative. It is, in my mind, the best way to see the park. You are literally "in" the park. You can smell it. You can feel the wind blowing. You can even hear it. It is truly an awesome experience.

Thanks JT Kirk - that is what I wanted. Do you remember the name of the indian guide you used or how I gan info on them before we leave home? Did you book befor you got there?

I tried posting a reply, but it didn't "take" for some reason. I'll try again:<BR>There's a horse stable not far from the Visitor's Center (about 200 -300 yards, I think). As you know, Monument Valley is Indian land and is run by the Indians, and so is the stable. They have some good horses, and the guides are excellent. They will even let you - at a certain point in the ride - gallop. they have different horse rides, some even lasting overnight, I think. we were there in May, and it wasn't too busy. We booked our horse trip for the following day. If you're going in the summer when there will be more people, you may need to book farther ahead of time. Have fun. That place is one-of-a-kind!

Wow, what a difference perspective makes. We did the whole day tour out of Gouldings and can't imageine you'd see anything in 2 hours.<BR>There is so much to see/learn that I felt 8 hours was barely an introduction.

Yes, it is a matter of perspective. To me, there is no better way to experience the west than to do it the way it was done over a century and a half ago - via horse back or on foot. Then, you really see the land. As I mentioned, they have horseback tours of varying lengths at Monument Valley. We, unfortunately, decided on "squeezing in" Monument Valley at the end of two weeks of hiking Arches and Canyonlands. We just didn't have the time to do more, much to our chagrin. Luckily, a few of us in our party had been to Monument Valley back in the 1960s. It is encouraging to see that some things never change. Monument Valley clearly has not changed. And neither has Gouldings. I think they have the same sheets on the beds that they had in the 1960s. But they are still wonderful people.

Are there any religious hostilities between the Muslim and Hindu Indiains in Monument Valley?

JT Kirk - Do you have a name I can contact for the Horse Tour of the Valley? Since we will be going in June I would like to plan ahead.<BR><BR>I will be in Monument Valley on June 21. I will be comming from Mesa Verde stopping first at four corners on my way to Page for the night. My 2 aunts will be would like to take a tour (possibly a tour from Gouldings of Monument Valley or another suggestion would be appreciated). My son (12) and I did the Gouldings tour last year and wanted to do something different while the aunts were touring the Valley (they are not into riding horses). I thought that perhaps a 1 - 2 hour tour of the Valley by horseback would be fun. Then we would meet up with the aunts for lunch/dinner at Gouldings. Any suggestions for my coordination or where to look up tour guides on the net? I've not had any luck. Thanks again for your help.<BR><BR>I really appreciate you answering the questions. Thanks, I am the original poster!

Check out www.desertusa.com/monvalley/.<BR>I'm not sure if horseback riding is on the website, but if they have a phone number listed for general info, I'd give 'em a call. <BR>Have fun.