Monument Valley Tours: Heading to Monument Valley 2nd week of March. Previously took one of the Navaho guided tours and would like to do so again. There is quite a list of "approved"...

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Heading to Monument Valley 2nd week of March. Previously took one of the Navaho guided tours and would like to do so again. There is quite a list of "approved" tour companies. I'm wondering if any of you have some insight into the best tours for photographers. Any specific info would be greatly appreciated.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

windshoppe wrote:

Heading to Monument Valley 2nd week of March. Previously took one of the Navaho guided tours and would like to do so again. There is quite a list of "approved" tour companies. I'm wondering if any of you have some insight into the best tours for photographers. Any specific info would be greatly appreciated.

We used the Navajo Spirit Tours twice 4 years ago and they were wonderful, this past year we used Dineh Bikeyah Tours as a last minute deal, they were also great. Monument Valley Sunset tours are good, but also is the Mystery Valley Sunset Tour. The View Hotel has great views, we love the food and service. Check out Valley of the Gods, just north as well as Muley Point and Goosenecks State Park. All are in the area and worth the visit if you have the time.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Bud S wrote:

We used the Navajo Spirit Tours twice 4 years ago and they were wonderful, this past year we used Dineh Bikeyah Tours as a last minute deal, they were also great. Monument Valley Sunset tours are good, but also is the Mystery Valley Sunset Tour. The View Hotel has great views, we love the food and service. Check out Valley of the Gods, just north as well as Muley Point and Goosenecks State Park. All are in the area and worth the visit if you have the time.

Thank you, I'll check both out. We are staying at the View this time around and hope to get some nice sunrise photos from the balcony.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

You are welcome. You can walk up a trail at the end of the View also, plus the hike around the
mitten I couldn't do because of me needing a new hip that I now have.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Great. Thanks, again.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

My wife and I arranged for a private tour with Dineh Bekeyah tours. Our guide Harry Nez is a very talented photographer. We toured lower Monument Valley in the morning. The tour was not rushed and Harry is very informative about the valley and the Navajo people. The normal tours in the valley move in a counter clockwise direction, Harry took us in a clockwise direction because he said the light was better. In the afternoon we saw Mystery Valley. Harry offered to take a couple of shots of us in front of the bridal ring arch. He insisted on laying on his side in the sand to get it right. Strongly recommend Dineh Bekeyah tours and ask for Harry.

Hope you have a great time, we sure did.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Thank you. I'm on it!

photoed

If you are going to Monument Valley Try and find someone to guide you are take you up Hunts Mesa. If you can camp out and get a sunset and sunrise photos you will have a perspective not commonly seen. It is a difficult 4X4 road and only a few guides are willing to do it.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

photoed wrote:

If you are going to Monument Valley Try and find someone to guide you are take you up Hunts Mesa. If you can camp out and get a sunset and sunrise photos you will have a perspective not commonly seen. It is a difficult 4X4 road and only a few guides are willing to do it.

I did find a couple of companies that advertise Hunts' Mesa. Thank you.

photoed

Hunts Mesa is not as commonly visited as other areas but the view from top of the mesa looking north is amazing and is the next best thing to flying over the area.
From 1977 to 1985 I worked for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service and the director of the Kayenta clinic drew me a map on how to get there. I took my Jeep up that mesa a number of time. Now it is more carefully guarded for Navajo guides. Believe me it will be worth your investment.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

photoed wrote:

Hunts Mesa is not as commonly visited as other areas but the view from top of the mesa looking north is amazing and is the next best thing to flying over the area.
From 1977 to 1985 I worked for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service and the director of the Kayenta clinic drew me a map on how to get there. I took my Jeep up that mesa a number of time. Now it is more carefully guarded for Navajo guides. Believe me it will be worth your investment.

Sounds like a plan. Thanks again!