kathleen

We’re finishing up the plans for an April round trip, road trip: LV - Zion - Antelope Canyon - Monument Valley - Mesa Verde - Aztec - Canyon de Chelly - LV. From my previous post a couple of months ago, we’ve changed a couple of things, mainly eliminating Flagstaff and Durango and putting in Aztec (for the Ruins) and the final night in LV. I’ve booked the flights and the in-park lodging in Zion - Monument Valley - Mesa Verde - Canyon de Chelly. We’ll pick something soon for 1 night in Aztec (probably the Microtel) and 1 in Las Vegas (not sure which hotel).

The main question I still have is: when do you recommend booking tours and guides at some of the places. The time period will be April 13-27. I have booked a tour at Mesa Verde, but, for this time period, how far ahead for Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelly? Thanks!

Peter_Hasdon21

A good guide is a wonderful opportunity to connect to special places and people.A good guide can make your holidays unforgettable and take you to places you would of otherwise missed.

RVvagabond

You need a guide to go into Canyon de Chelley, but not if you drive the north/south rim. You should go inside.

While a Chelly, visit historic Hubble Trading Post national park.

Monument Valley - you can drive the loop as part of entry fee; otherwise a guide is necessary. We did the Mystery Valley as I recall. They have horse tours. Goulding's Lodge has all the data.

Antelope canyon requires a fee for admission. No a guide unless you want a private tour or photograph guide. It is a zoo in that short slot. Google: page az antelope canyon tour

Aztec has the only fully restored Kiva in US - Excellent. Take a small tripod for interior pictures as it is a tad dark in there.

None of the other places requires a guide unless you want to ride horse. Just buy a guide book. For Utah parks, this is my standard list of book recommendations:

1. Hiking(serious): Michael R. Kelsey books. We have his entire collection - just select an area.
2. Hiking (family): Wow Utah Canyon Country -
3. Backroad 4-wheel driving: Canyonland National Park Favorite Jeep Roads and Hiking Trails. White Rim Trail (road) is the premier scenic area in Island In The Sky. This book has an excellent description of that 110 mile road.
4. Overall touring guide of Utah Parks: Utah Parks Driving, Hiking and Mountain Biking in Kindle and paper back format. This book gives a life saving mile-by-mile driving guide.

All above on Amazon that can be purchased for less than the price of one nights lodging in Moab.


Vaga

emalloy

For Aztec, if you leave Mesa Verde by early afternoon, you will have time to visit Aztec in the afternoon and head west a bit before evening. Look for lodging in Farmington to shorten the trip to Canyon de Chelley.

I would want a guide at CdC, and we got one the day we arrived at the Visitor's Center in April a few years ago. If you can't get a private one you probably could get one of the "shake and bake" tours. In any case do the rim drives, both north and south and if you can't do a tour hike down to white house ruin (the only one you can get to without a guide).

Are you planning to go to Grand Canyon on your way back to Vegas from CdC?

Sounds like a great trip.

kathleen

Thanks Peter, RVvagabond, and emalloy. Though we’ll plan to drive where it is permissible into Antelope Canyon and Canyon de Chelly, we plan on, and we know that, we’ll want guided tours into the other areas of these parks. But, I’m uncertain when to book the guided tours. Is now the appropriate time for an April visit?

RV. The book list seems comprehensive, thanks for that! And on your suggestion, we may lodge in Farmington so that we’ll be closer to Hubble Trading Post Nat’l Pk. for a visit on route to Canyon de Chelly. Didn’t know about that place, but looks really interesting.

I’m looking forward to the Aztec Kiva and I will be taking a small tripod. Any particular time when the light is at its peak in the Kiva? I don’t want to rush the visit at Aztec, and have cleared most of the day for it.

Is the photographer’s tour in Antelope much better than the regular tour, especially since it will be busy with tourists during the best times?

Emalloy. Would you recommend a private guide over the shake and bake tour?

We won’t be going to the Grand Canyon. It’s amazing but we’ve both been there, camped there, and both hiked the north rim trail down and later, husband took the full raft trip.

Anything else I should be scheduling into the trip? Open to suggestions.

kathleen

Oops! Meant to say, drive where permissible into Monument Valley, not into Antelope Canyon.

kathleen

Oops again! Emalloy thank you for your suggestion to lodge in Farmington to shorten the trip to CdC.

WhereAreWe

>>But, I’m uncertain when to book the guided tours. Is now the appropriate time for an April visit?