Chinle Canyon Tour: Discover Navajo Archaeological Sites
5.0
115 Ratings
Chinle
Embark on a captivating Chinle Canyon Tour and explore the rich Navajo archaeological sites in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Discover ancient ruins, petroglyphs, and pictographs while immersing yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the canyon.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
-
Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Along the route, you may see such sites as:
Kokopelli Cave featuring varous pictographs.
Newspaper Rock featuring various petroglyph panels.
Petroglyph Rock featuring various petroglyph panels.
First Ruin featuring a prehistoric Puebloan ruin.
Junction Ruin featuring a prehistoric Puebloan ruin.
*White House Ruin featuring the iconic ruin.
*Ledge Ruin featuring Puebloan ruins and rock art.
Antelope House Ruins featuring Puebloan ruins and rock art.
*Tour time largely depends on canyon conditions and how much time guests linger at each site along the way, including browsing arts and crafts with vendors in the canyon.
What's Included
- Sanitation fee
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
Additional Information
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument, nestled in the heart of the Navajo Nation, boasts of more than 2,700 archaeological locations. Visitors can marvel at the ancient ruins nestled in sandstone alcoves, and rock art such as petroglyphs and pictographs. The landscape, filled with rock formations and a diverse collection of flora and fauna, enhances the overall experience of your tour.
Interpretations of the symbols found in petroglyphs and rock art will be shared at each site, providing insightful information about occupation dates, local archaeology, and significant prehistoric and historic events, all contextualized with associated oral histories.
Tour guides are all Navajo with deep roots in the canyon, offering a memorable experience that will stay with you long after the tour ends.
Location
Tséyi' Diné Heritage Area - Cottonwood Campground at Canyon De Chelly
Meet at the picnic parking lot, which is a two-minute walk across from the Thunderbird Lodge, on the North side.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(115 Ratings)
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V8798gesusanr
Apr 11, 2024
A fabulous Canyon de Chelly day - We signed up for a 5 hour tour and extended it to 7 hours because Reginald Etsitty was a knowledgeable guide. Not only did he take us to the main sights in the north and south canyons he shared stories about the Navajo people in the canyon today as well as over time. He gave his interpretation of petroglyphs and pictographs based on his research. Shared information regarding plant usage in the canyon as well as personal stories about living near the canyon. Reg even played his flute with the magnificent canyon as his backdrop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eileenh655
Apr 11, 2024
Great tour! - Excellent company. Responded to emails promptly. Our guide Richard was fabulous. Knowledgeable and a great storyteller. Highly recommend this company
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeanspieg
Apr 10, 2024
Irene and the Canyon were awesome! - Irene was our tour guide and she was awesome. She was a very safe driver and knew her way around the canyon extremely well. She offered many interesting facts about the canyon and area and shared stories that helped us understand the area and the Navajo people. Her knowledge and interest in continuing to learn was very impressive. If you get Irene, you won’t be sorry!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathb507
Apr 10, 2024
Tour the Canyon with a knowledgeable local. - We actually booked the group tour but there was only two of us so it was like a private tour however our guide Devonyay (not sure of the spelling) took us on the standard 3hr group tour. She is a local, highly knowledgeable and articulate.Devonyay gave us an excellent tour, sharing her own stories and knowledge of recent archaeological findings. It was a packed 3hours. Can't recommend highly enough
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Scottsimpson902
Apr 8, 2024
Best experience of our entire journey - This was by far the best experience of our entire trip to Santa Fe, eastern AZ, Moab, Durango and Taos. Our guide Richard was wonderful. The feeling in the canyon along with the views, the "ruins", and the petroglyphs, all close up and personal, was stunning. We learned a lot from our guide as well and he pointed out all the key features to look at so we didn't miss anything. Follow the tour with a drive along the South Rim and you will get the canyon from top and bottom. Thank you CdeChelly tours and Richard.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mzimmerlund
Apr 7, 2024
Great tour with Reggie - Our guide was Reggie and he was fabulous. He told stories throughout the generations, information on geology, plant and animal life. He shared personal information about his life growing up in Chinle. He also played a walnut flute in the canyon. It transported you back in time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_d
Apr 5, 2024
Fantastic tour, great guide! - Reginald, our guide, was fantastic. He was completely knowledgeable of Canyon de Chelly sights and history, very friendly and personable, and even played beautifully on his Navajo flute at one of the stops. It was great that this was a jeep ride instead of one of the larger vehicles that run tours here because we sat with and conversed with the guide instead of sitting back in the cargo bed like the other tours.
Review provided by Viator
Riparoo
Apr 2, 2024
Don’t hesitate! The whole family loved this tour. - Our guide Reg was fantastic and Tanya was so responsive about our scheduling changes. Plus we had rare rainy weather and they accommodated with a covered jeep (SUVs were available too).
This was my second time in the canyon although the first was 30 years ago. Reg showed us everything from Anasazi and Navajo cliff paintings to several ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings. He also shared lots of knowledge of local plants, Navajo legends and language.
I rarely write reviews but can’t recommend him and the company enough so want everyone who visits to have the best experience with them!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rip_and_liz
Mar 31, 2024
Wonderful, moving experience - Brilliant tour with Canyon de Chelly tours - Reggie is a gem; great story-teller, excellent pipe player, fantastic driver (much needed in that canyon!), and an all-round nice human being. Recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pattis284
Mar 30, 2024
An experience to remember - What an awesome experience! Percy was born and raised in Canyon de Chelly. He knew every trail out of the Canyon. His sister and aunt still live there. We enjoyed the Navajo stories, Pueblo language with songs and words and the history of the canyon immensely. We visited on a rainy day and enjoyed his expert driving in the mud so much, really fun! Thank you Percy for the unforgettable adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor