I'm booked on the National Parks, Mount Rushmore LBH tour on 9 Sept. I'm just wondering when we are at Page and Lake Powell, is there time to visit Antelope Canyon which is nearby? Or is it included on the Lake cruise? I've seen pictures of it on numerous websites and the formations there are incredible. Photos from there regularly feature on websites like "world's most incredible photos" and "places you have to see before you die" etc and I'd love to be able to even make a short stop there if possible.

All the best,

Bob

I've forwarded your question to one of our product managers - I will let you know as soon as I have a response.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Cheers,

Bob

This maybe of interest to me if its close enough as I'm not doing the Lake Powell cruise when i do this holiday. Its not that i don't think its a good excurrsion but I did it 2 years ago on the shorter "Parks & Canyons" holiday that starts in Phoenix.

Would imagine most of my group will do the cruise so I'll be looking for something else to do.

Mick

Cheers.

Bob

We've spoken to one of the Tour Managers for this trip who has said....

"From the Lake Powell Cruise we get to see LOWER Antelope Canyon.

There is also an UPPER Antelope Canyon which can be visited through a local tour operator with a 4 wheel drive vehicle - however we do not offer this. This excursion requires quite alot of walking on uneven ground and possibly in September - also in extreme heat."

I hope that information helps.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Many thanks for that most helpful answer! On another thread Paul said that lower Antelope Canyon was great, but upper not so much. So I am delighted we get the chance to see the lower part of the canyon. Hope I can take some photos as good as the ones I've seen on the net!

Thanks again,

Bob

Sounds like it was the answer you were after!

Don't forget, you can share some of the amazing photos that you take on our Facebook page.

Kind regards

Julia

Hi Mick, is the Lake Powell cruise worth doing? If not and if the tour doesn't offer Antelope Canyon, I might try to do it independently.

Cheers.

Bob

Its worth doing if you want to relax with a few nice desert views of places like monument valley. But as you'll have seen most things on land by then maybe the Antelope Canyon trip may be the better option if its something you want to see (if you have any energy left after such a hectic holiday).

Cheers,

Bob

Hope I'm not "butting in" with my reply... I'm a TM for Just You and grew up in Arizona. One thing to consider when visiting upper Antelope Canyon on foot is that in August/Sept there can be "flash floods" in that area. If there is even a chance of rain, the guides won't take you in - it's simply too dangerous. The "slot" canyons in the SW part of the US are amazing, unfortunately they can also be dangerous. You can "google" flashfloods/antelope canyon for more info.

The boat trip on Lake Powell is lovely and lower antelope canyon is beautiful - great photo opps there as well.

Have enjoyed reading your contributions to the JY community board - I hope you have a fantastic trip!! Any questions about the SW part of the US you are welcome to ask.

Kind regards,

Lisa

I just have one other question - I've read in one or two places that helicopters no longer go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, is that correct? Do you know what helicopter/excursion options we will be offered for the Grand Canyon on this tour as they seem to change from year to year? Or would the best thing to do is look at the Papillon website?

Thanks once again,

Bob

It doesn't seem that you were put off by the possibility of flash floods in Lower Antelope Canyon. As Lisa wrote, they won't allow you in if there is any danger. Also, they now have drop down ladders to allow you to escape if there is an unexpected flood.

Regards

Paul

Can't remember if we did sail to Antelope Canyon, been looking at my photos from that holiday and still unsure.

You can have a look if you want as they are on Flickr, also includes Bryce, Zion, Grand canyon & Vegas which we had visits to but didn't stay over (other than vegas)so we should get more time on this trip.

The photos that you'll be interested in are towards the back end as the holiday started in Phoenix and up through sedonna.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308363@N02/sets/72157626851675161/ 

Mick

Hi Lisa, many thanks for your helpful comments and I'm very grateful that you "butted in!" I'm very happy now that I've read your comments regarding the Lake Powell cruise and the lower part of the canyon. I'm planning on getting a new camera for this holiday, so I'm even more excited now about hopefully getting some amazing photos!

I just have one other question - I've read in one or two places that helicopters no longer go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, is that correct? Do you know what helicopter/excursion options we will be offered for the Grand Canyon on this tour as they seem to change from year to year? Or would the best thing to do is look at the Papillon website?

Hi Bob,

I did the Lake Powell cruise and this will certainly give you plenty of photo opportunities of the strange rock formations. Although the cruise was optional from what I can remember the stop was part of our journey for that day. For those who didn't go on the cruise I think they just had to wait around and I doubt you would have an opportunity to fit another excursion in on you own in the time available. I may be wrong of course especially as I note the tour has been changed again this year.

As to the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon the helicopter mainly flies along and around the rim. It did go down into the canyon in places but I certainly did not go down to the bottom.

Hope this helps.

Mike

BTW, nice photos Mick! Bob, Lake powell is on pg 3 of Mick's photos.

Have been looking at your itinerary Bob, you're on the SUAPLB - right?

Na Parks, Mt Rushmore and Little Big Horn? I believe what is offered on that tour (don't quote me - things change!) is an approx half hour flight over the canyon - but not landing in the canyon. Not sure you would have time to do more as it looks as though you're moving on to Lake Powell later that afternoon...

The heli flight over the canyon though is not to be missed! Truly amazing scenery... I see Bryce and Zion are on your itinerary as well... both beautiful but Zion's my favorite. There is a slot canyon at Zion as well, very different from upper Antelope, but interesting the same. It's called "The Narrows" on the Virgin River. (Shuttle stop Temple of Sinawava). You'd have to be quick, there is approx a mile walk on paved path until you reach the narrows. You must ask at the lodge if it's advised to go into the narrows - the park rangers can tell you if it's too dangerous that day. (or if you would need waders!) All the trails are fab - hard decisions! Just thinking about this makes me want to go back! Don't do as many tours there anymore as I now live in Italy.

Really good websites for many places on your tour:

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm 

Just select by state what you are interested in. Excuse the lengthy reply, but I know you like to make the most of it from your posts.

Hope this helps and that you have a fab holiday!

Happy Trails,

Lisa

Many thanks again for your helpful comments! Thanks also Mike, that clarifies things a lot. Think I have a good idea of what to expect now and it all sounds wonderful! The Grand Canyon heli flight sounds great and different to the one I did before on the Golden West tour, so that's brilliant. Can't wait! And I'm going to look at Mick's photos now!

Cheers,

Bob

great photos thanks for sharing...

Cindy

Thanks

Mick