Oct. Arizona trip
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Arizona, Oct 1 through Oct 10. Here is our itinerary. Please add any suggestions.

Oct 1 Arrive at phoenix - drive to sedona, Montezuma's Castle, possible sunset jeep tour. (Is is better to rent your own jeep or go on one of the tours?)
Oct 2 drive to Grand Canyon - stopping at Wupatki National Monument
2 nights at Maswik Lodge (Reservations are made)
Oct 4 drive to Page - stopping at Cameron's Trading post & Dinosaur tracks
Oct 5 Half day float
Oct 6 tour Antelope canyon - drive east (don't know whether to stop at Navajo National Monumnent or Monument Valley or whether we need to stay overnight before heading to Canyon de Chelly)
Oct 7 Canyon de Chelly - drive west - stopping at Petrified Forest and Winslow
(don't know whether to stop for Homolovi Ruins or Walnut Canyon?)
Oct 8 and 9 Sedona
Oct 10 leave phoenix

Which ruins are a must see?
And where is the best place for horseback riding?
Besides GC hotel, is there anything I should book in advance, like the half-day float trip or jeep tour?
thanks

Hey ekeller. Planning a similar route in Sept (1-10 also). Have you booked Sedona? Places book up then and prices go higher sooner. I would get on that soon. I think for the best horseback riding out of all the places you mention would be Sedona also and go on a tour instead of going on your own. We tried to do the "I'll rent a boat myself and see Rainbow Bridge" in Lake Powell that didn't turn out too well - never saw Rainbow Bridge (but had fun anyway). I realize that's harder than driving a jellp :-). Just my humble opinion. Enjoy! You;ll be coming at cooler weather and the colors of the leaves will be changing (or maybe start to) in Sedona too.

Definitely consider staying overnight at Monument Valley. You would really need to book this in advance since there is only Goulding's Lodge that is close to Monument Valley. If it's within your budget, definitely stay here - sunset and sunrise are incredible times of day here and all rooms have a balcony that overlooks Monument Valley.

Other lodging near Monument Valley is in Kayenta or Mexican Hat, both 20 miles away in opposite directions.

Generally, Walnut Canyon is considered better than Wupatki NM but I didn't get chance to see Walnut Canyon on my recent trip so can't vouch for that myself.

Oct. 5th do the short 3/4 hike to Horseshoe Bend after the float trip. You will be able to see where you had been floating earlier in the day!

Oct. 6, I'd do Monument Valley over Navajo National Monument. You can only see the ruins from a far off vista unless you have 5 hours to hike, and then you have to be there first thing in the morning to go on a ranger led hike.

If you have time to take the guided Navajo tour of Canyon de Chelly then you will see cliff dwellings and petroglyphs and the driver tells you of the history of the area. Very good!

I've been to Walnut Canyon but not Homolovi Ruins State Park. I'd never heard of it, so now I want to go!

I would also like to hear about Pink Jeep Tour verse renting and going out on your own.

Utahtea

As part of our journey we'll be stopping at Homolovi around 5/18 so I can give you the scoop when we get back. I was there VERY briefly 10 years ago but vageuly recall that they were just excavating at the time...(?)

Thanks so much for all your help!!! We are going to start booking some hotels this week. Great tip about the Horseshoe bend hike. I've been wondering how we will fill our time up there.
Does anyboy know how long a drive it is from Monument Valley to Canyon De Chelly?

Thanks again!!!

From Monument Valley to Canyon de Chelly, we've always taken Hwy 160 & Hwy 191 and is 130 miles and takes a little less than 3 hours. There is a short cut on back roads, but we've never done it and have no idea if it takes less time or not.

Utahtea