Lower Antelope Canyon is every photographers dream. With its glowing red canyon walls and beams of light hitting at perfect angles , touring lower antelope canyon is a dream walk. I happened to visit this place twice , and I must say – I was as smitten as I saw it for the first time. What makes this canyon special is the fact that it is always changing. Thanks to the wind , water and flash floods. So the time of year and even the time of day can make the same location look completely different. I was browsing through my photos this weekend and realized , even though I have shared many photos of antelopes on Instagram , I never wrote about this paradise in my blog. So here it is – Lower Antelope Canyon : A photographic tour. I hope this piece of paradise will make to your itinerary.
Where is Lower Antelope Canyon ?
Lower antelope Canyon is located near Page , Arizona. From Page, head east on AZ 98 for about 2 miles and take a left on Indian Rte. 222 . Drive ½ mile and turn left on a dirt road that will take you to the parking lots of the canyons.
Can I hike through the antelopes on my own?
The answer is No. You have to take a guided tour and must be accompanied by a guide to walk through antelopes.
What kind of tours can I take while visiting lower antelopes and how can I book?
Lower Antelope has two and only two tour groups that can guide you into the canyon. The tour companies are Dixie Ellis Tours and Ken’s Tours . You can book tours on their website and you are advised to book it well in advance. Same day tour for the time slot of your choice is mostly not possible. You can take General or Sightseeing tour which costs about $40 – $50 and has duration of about an hour.
Note : As of 2018 Photography tours are not offered for lower antelopes anymore.
Some more tips that will come handy :
- The Canyon is not wheelchair accessible. In order to tour, visitors would need to climb down steep metal stairs.
- If you have fear of closed spaces aka claustrophobia , this might not be your thing.
- Do not expect that there will be no one in the canyon when you take the tour. You will be accompanied by close to 40 – 50 people and it will be difficult to get shots with people not in them.
- Even though the floor is not paved, it’s sandy and pretty easy to walk with regular shoes.
- No bags of any kind (including camera bags) and tripods are allowed in the canyon except purses and hydration packs like Camelbak.
- If you want to learn about the canyon during your visit, walk close to your tour guide otherwise it’s hard to hear him/her. If you want to capture good photos, stay in the back of the group so that you can get good shots with your best nd filters.
Our experience :
Our first visit to Antelopes was in July 2016 and then later in Oct 2017. In July , it was unbelievably hot and we were literally gasping for air in Canyon. October was much more pleasant and even though we had to wait for 10 – 15 mins before our tour , the heat was not so bad. We took 10:30 or 11 am time slot for our tour and since we were visiting with our parents , me and my mom dad took the general tour and Manhar opted to for the photography tour. While we enjoyed our general tour but as expected we felt a little rushed and there were too many people. It was very difficult to take picture with no people in them. From Manhar I got to know that Photography tour was a bit better in a way that guides pointed out good spots to take good shots , the photographers could bring the tripods and they were good amount of time to place there shots and wit people to pass by so that they could get good pictures.
Steep Stairs to the canyon
Walking through the slippery and sandy stairs
A dream walk through the hues
Playing with light and formations
Took near to impossible alone shot in the canyon
It does look like fire , isn’t it?
While coming out of the canyon
Leave a Reply