foggy_27

Now that Navajo Nation has opened, I am planning a trip in October to visit Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. Both now require tours led by Navajo guide. At Canyon de Chelly, there are apparently two types of tour: the “shake and bake” group tour offered by the big lodge, and the private jeep tour by independent operators. For us, the latter is a clear winner, more intimate, and safer in the current pandemic environment. I just need to spend a little time on TripAdvisor to pick a tour company. As a party of four, it is cost effective against buying 4 seats in a big bus.

However I am a little confused when it comes to Monument Valley. The official website lists 20+ tour companies, and I took a look at a few. Everyone provides good info on various tour options, what sites to visit, for how long, and how much per person. But I am surprised that nobody clearly indicates whether their tour is group or private. Admittedly I have not researched exhaustively. I expect Goulding’s tour to be of public variety. Is there any tour operator offering an option to tour privately (at least pre-COVID)?

starrs

For Canyon de Chelly, I knew I didn't want to do the shake and bake tour. When we checked into our hotel, the front desk suggested a tour company that was a cousin, I think. Actually, the tour owner's niece gave us a private tour in her Jeep and it was fabulous. She was young, informative and had been stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. I remember her probably more than most of my tour guides because I was fascinated at how she hated the trees on the east coast vs the wide open spaces of the desert west.

I'd be interested in the Goulding's tour. I still have not stayed there. But I'd probably chose a tour based on the most recent TA reviews.

This one looks good -
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...lley_Utah.html

HappyTrvlr

Canyon de Chelly is on historic Navajo lands and the tribe has always required that you go down in the canyon on a Navajo led tour, either a large truck or an SUV. We hired Adam Teller who is fantastic. He trains the guides. John McCain hired him for overnight trips. Antelope House Tours, canyon de chelly dot net
You can drive around the top and stop at view points without a guide.

oldemalloy

We hired a Navajo guide in the VC a few years ago. She was great and drove our car as she knew where to avoid very bad spots on the road.

We did do both sides of the rim and stopped at the pull outs. There was one trail you could hike down to to White House Ruin without a guide but I do not know if you still can.

foggy_27

Thanks, all. I think it is a good option to ask for the hotel.

HappyTrvlr

I recommend you book your tour ahead for a quality guide.

tom_mn

Monument Valley does not require a tour guide. Private cars (without a guide) are admitted starting at 8 am, in batches. This is current information from a visit last week.

Parktrvl

Tom is right for the self-drive 17 mile tour
However, any tour beyond that road requires a guide.
Be unique and do a horse tour (which I did not do)

Canyon de Chelly - If you have a 4-wheel drive, you can use that with a Navajo guide.
Caution, the valley has deep sand, so you should be skilled in sand driving.
Yes, driving on top of the mesa (both sides) is free. Bring the strongest binoculars you own.

foggy_27

An update in case the others are interested:

I reached out to a number of Monument Valley tour operators directly, and got response from some of them. Although not advertised on their website, everyone is offering private tour. The itinerary is similar to the public tour: 1.5 hour, 2.5 hour, and half day. However for a private tour, one can request a different starting time from the public tour. The cost varies a little, but roughly 30% higher if we opt for a private tour than 4 spots in a public tour.