Canyon de Chelly vs. Monument Valley?
Jul 24, 2019 19:34:56 #
I will be in Arizona in January. I will be in Phoenix, the Grand Canyon and Sedona, but have one time slot left. I am debating between Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. I've photographed in Monument Valley a number of times and it never gets old. On the other hand, I've never been to Canyon de Chelly. Can't do both on this trip and am interested in your opinions
Jul 24, 2019 20:04:08 #
carney2 wrote:
I will be in Arizona in January. I will be in Phoenix, the Grand Canyon and Sedona, but have one time slot left. I am debating between Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. I've photographed in Monument Valley a number of times and it never gets old. On the other hand, I've never been to Canyon de Chelly. Can't do both on this trip and am interested in your opinions
If it were me, I’d go for the new views
Jul 24, 2019 20:14:08 #
Canyon de Chelly! You can't go in by yourself, only on a guided tour, unless you're content with viewing it from the road on top.
Jul 24, 2019 20:33:17 #
starcrwzr wrote:
Canyon de Chelly! You can't go in by yourself, only on a guided tour, unless you're content with viewing it from the road on top.
Unless there have been radical changes -- That I'm hoping is not an accurate statement
Visited the place in 2011 actually the wife & I walked down into the valley "all by ourselves"
Jul 25, 2019 06:04:30 #
chrissybabe
Loc: New Zealand
According to a youtube video I watched a week ago both the above statements are correct. However if you choose to walk down you can only do it in one place and the length of the walk on the bottom is very limited. However you can see a lot more but only via the guided tour. I think the tour is along a substantial part of the canyon bottom.
Jul 25, 2019 06:29:33 #
My old information is that you can hike down a trail across from the White House Ruins, but to go into the canyon you need to go with a registered Navajo guide. I stayed at the old Thunderbird Inn when it was about the only place - there is now a Best Western and a Holiday Inn. They can arrange your guided trip when you make reservations. I would definitely go for the Canyon. It is a great place.
Jul 25, 2019 07:07:50 #
I have only been to Canyon De Chelly and I liked it more than the Grand Canyon. If you go there, do the guided tour which takes you through the base of it; but also drive the rim. Spectacular views!!
Jul 25, 2019 07:26:52 #
wds0410
Loc: Nunya
carney2 wrote:
I will be in Arizona in January. I will be in Phoenix, the Grand Canyon and Sedona, but have one time slot left. I am debating between Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. I've photographed in Monument Valley a number of times and it never gets old. On the other hand, I've never been to Canyon de Chelly. Can't do both on this trip and am interested in your opinions
I've been to both and I think Canyon de Chelly has more to offer. I will ditto what others have said that you should take one of the guided tours from the Navajo's there. The tour I was on lasted all day and takes you to the bottom of the Canyon. You will also need a day to tour the canyon from the top by car. There are two roads -- one for the south rim and one for the north.
Not to say Monument Valley isn't great too.
Jul 25, 2019 07:42:06 #
Well, I'd suggest your road less traveled. Canyon De Chelly is a great photographic location.
--Bob
--Bob
carney2 wrote:
I will be in Arizona in January. I will be in Phoenix, the Grand Canyon and Sedona, but have one time slot left. I am debating between Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. I've photographed in Monument Valley a number of times and it never gets old. On the other hand, I've never been to Canyon de Chelly. Can't do both on this trip and am interested in your opinions
Jul 25, 2019 08:30:19 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
I’d go for Canyon de Chelly, but another consideration is how far will you be from each of them as I assume you’d want to maximize your time.
Jul 25, 2019 08:32:12 #
Jul 25, 2019 08:56:17 #
I’ve been to Canyon de Chelly twice and it is unbelievable. That was twenty years ago. Our group of about ten people hiked down and back up. Not always easy, especially with camera equipment, and not for the faith of heart or those afraid of heights, but an outstanding experience and views. Don’t know if they still allow hiking down or if you must take a tour Jeep.
Jul 25, 2019 09:02:35 #
I have taken the canyon tour With a Navajo guide. It is well worth the money and it is a very unique and unforgettable experience. Many photographic opportunities and wonderful history told by your guide. It’s dusty, and you will be bounced around a lot, but a great experience. We took the all day tour.
Jul 25, 2019 09:55:45 #
Having toured both Canyon de chelly and Monument Valley with a Navajo guide I would suggest that the floor of the Canyon de Chelly is the best bet with a guide
Jul 25, 2019 10:45:52 #
In the middle of the winter, the roads can be iffy in either park. At MV you can drive yourself but a guide can take you to places you can’t get to by yourself. At Canyon de Chelly you have to use a guide to get into the canyon but the drive around the rim can get you some spectacular views. Only negative is I had trouble with Antelope House Tours in the past. Dress warm and have a great time.
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