tropicalbreeze

we want to do a jeep tour of canyon de chelly, 4 adults for a half day/full day. i see that thunderbird lodge offers tour but it seems like they might be of the 'busy with people'. i found a company called 'antelope tours' and wondered if anyone has used them. the gentleman on the phone was very nice, said the tour is from the native indian perpective (spiritual and geological devlopment. any suggestions for this tour? thank you in advance for your help

utahtea

We did the 1/2 day tour out of the Thunderbird Lodge. Not sure what you mean by "busy with people" but it was a medium size group of people of about 24 to 30 people. Our guide was a Native American Indian that was raised in Canyon de Chelly and spoke of his peoples history in the canyon.

Utahtea

Binthair

I don't know about Antelope Tours. Some of the tours will use jeeps and take fewer people on a tour. Generally these are a little more expensive than Thunderbird, which uses larger vehicles. I was fine with Thunderbird, which offers half and full day tours. Just depends on whether you might like a smaller group and are willing to pay a little extra.

tropicalbreeze

small as in 4-6 people to one guide in a 4x4 jeep or truck, not the flatbed that i have seen, not that that is what thunderbird uses. the price for a 1/2 day was a bit more than the lodge. this guy also is native american and was raised in the canyon too. busy as in commercial trap?

tropicalbreeze

maybe we will do the tunderbird tour if you guys think it is just as well and educating. on a separate note, did you stay at the thunderbird lodge or at any of the others outside, such as holiday inn? we will probably stay that night after thr tour before going to albuquerque. how about a room in window rock? do you know of any places there, just to get a start on the next day.

tropicalbreeze

we are also considering a horseback ride tour in lieu of jeep. any prior horseback tours anyone has taken in the canyon? thank you in advance

ellen_griswold

Hi tropicalbreeze! We recently returned from out west where we took the canyon de chelly 1/2 day tour through Thunderbird. Our tour guide was also raised within the canyon (his name was David) and he was extremely interesting and pleasant. We were very happy with our tour and experience. Only 17 were on the tour but the extended jeep type vehicle would have held 20. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and were very glad we did...

There's another recent thread about this -- i'll bring it to the top for you.

Binthair

My family went on a short ride through Justin's which is just down the road from Thunderbird and had a very good experience. I would prefer the canyon on horseback to enjoy the silence, but it is not as efficient a way to enjoy the canyon as a motorized tour.

starrsville

Did y'all book the tour beforehand or just sign up at the Thunderbird?

Binthair

I called and was told reservations for the motorized tour were not necessary, and found this to be true. We did not have reservations for the horseback riding either, but this might be more of a gamble.

starrsville

Thanks. I couldn't find a link on the website or one anywhere. Glad to know we don't have to make one ahead of time. We are driving 6 hours to get there the day before. I'd hate to be there and not be able to get on a tour.

tropicalbreeze

thanks ellen griswold for the info, being recent. hey, was it hot as hell out there? we would prefer another time, but we are rendevousing with my son and daughter in law on there 6 month cc trip from seattle to florida. i guess i will welcome the dry heat, compared to our florida summer heat, tstarrsville we also are driving the long stretch. they also told me no reservations neede. i think we will do this thru them, but my heart is on the horseback although with the canyon size, a few hours/miles on horse is nil than the miles/sights on wheels. i made reservations at holiday inn. still holding out here for any references/company/individual names for horseback in the canyon.