Canyon de Chelly Tours

Canyon de Chelly Tours

Canyon de Chelly Tours
5
Cultural ToursWalking ToursHiking & Camping ToursPrivate ToursArchaeology Tours
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Canyon De Chelly Tours is an enterprise of the late Leon Skyhorse Thomas, now owned and operated by his daughter, Tanya Yazzie. Tanya has a background in Archaeology and continues to work in the cultural resource management field. As an Indigenous woman-owned company, every guide is certified by the National Park Service to provide you with a memorable experience. Canyon De Chelly Tours has been operating for over 25 years and we are proud to carry on the tradition established by our original founder, Leon Skyhorse Thomas. We are professional Navajo guides who will relate the history of our canyons and Puebloan people of our canyon. We pride ourselves in offering you an experience you will not soon forget. There are over 2,700 archaeological sites within the many canyons of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Only 13 of the 700 standing ruins have been stabilized, re-inforced, or protected from degradation. The mix of history, beautiful scenery and culture will enchant you.
Chinle, Arizona

Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024

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Tours and Tickets by Canyon de Chelly Tours
Travelers talk about

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles949 reviews
Excellent
863
Very good
52
Average
11
Poor
11
Terrible
12

IlliniTrav
Phoenix, AZ7,426 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
If you travel all the way to Canyon de Chelly, you really should go into the canyon, and not just visit the overlooks. The only way to do this is with a guide (or possibly take a hike with a park ranger). We took the 3 hour public tour with Canyon de Chelly Tours, and were glad that we did.

Booking online was easy, and we met Reginald at a parking lot near Thunderbird Lodge. We rode in a trailer that had room for a dozen people, pulled by a big truck. It was chilly at 9 am, but Reginald had blankets (we brought our own) and told us that if we were cold we could ride in front with him. It warmed up as the morning progressed. The seats were equipped with seat belts, and they were necessary; it was very bumpy and we literally flew out of our seats several times. (For a more comfortable ride, visitors might opt for a private tour in a jeep.) The tour was supposed to be 3 hours, but it was actually about 3.75 hours. There was a bathroom break about 3 hours into the tour.

The tour was fantastic. The cottonwoods were beginning to yellow, and the canyon is beautiful. You get to see some ancient ruins and petroglyphs, learn about life in the canyon, the geology, and animal & plant life. My favorite stop was at a very small slot canyon, which we were able to walk through. Reginald stopped at a prickly pear bush and showed us how to skin the fruit - everyone was offered a bit to try! What made this experience even more special was Reggie playing the flute - it was just very moving to hear in such a sacred place. The tour is expensive ($80 for a public tour, $9.60 tax, $8 backcountry permit, and tip) but it was a highlight of our trip.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brssjunk
Tucson, AZ1,336 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
We had last visited the canyon 30 years ago and was struck by how much it had changed. With fewer people living in the canyon, many of the fields have been replaced by woodlands. We were fortunate to be there at the height of the autumn color, but I missed seeing the orchards and corn fields that were there last time.

This time we were traveling with my husbands brother and sister in law, neither of whom had been in the canyon before. We had an enclosed SUV which was good since the temperature when we started out (October) was 28 degrees. We were scheduled for a 3 hour tour, but since we were so busy taking photos, we ran over a good hour so we volunteered to pay her for the additional hour. The entire trip was viewing the canyon, the ruins and the petroglyphs. We didn't spend any time looking at tourist gifts, but I am sure she would have done so had we asked.

On the tour, you only get to explore a small section of the total canyon (Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto), since the canyon is more than 50 miles long, but most of the well known archeological sites are in this area.

Horses roam free in the canyon. Some are owned and some are "wild", or not specifically owned by an individual. Supposedly there is a lot of other wildlife in the canyon, but we only saw a rock squirrel and a few birds.

Our guide was the sister of the original owner and she was excellent. She is a good driver which was necessary due to the fact that there are virtually no roads ... just deep sand washes to drive in which was made worse by a recent flood, and the routes are not graded except by the families when they are tending their plots so it is very rough. She was able to describe the many petroglyphs , what they meant and the stories behind them. For each of the ruins, she would share with us the approximate number of people that resided there and the approximate date of occupation. We heard stories about the Navajo that lived in the canyon, but also stories about the current Navajo and their many successes away from their native home. I felt that I learned far more from this guide than from our guide 30 years ago.

I highly recommend this experience.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jillrip
Greensburg, PA3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Couples
We were so lucky to have Reggie as our guide yesterday on a 5 hour combo canyon tour. Not only did he tell us so many stories of the history of Canyon de Chelly and the Navajo people, but he played traditional Navajo music for us on his flute. He also took us on a short hike up to a cave with Anasazi drawings that had a spectacular view. I would highly recommend Canyon de Chelly tours and specifically Reggie as a tour guide.
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Zara
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
Me and my husband spent 2 days touring the Canyons with our friends, and were so blessed to be given Percy as our tour guide. As we have a deep interest in petroglyphs and ancient cultures, we did a lot of research before going and felt that Canyon de Chelly Tours was the right company for us. We were so glad we chose them! As we booked it from Europe, we were very grateful to have excellent communication from Tanya right from the start, throughout and up to the time of the tour. She was so professional and helpful, and arranged everything perfectly. The tours are weather-dependent and we were very lucky to be able to spend 2 x 6 hour trips, one in Canyon de los Muertes and one in Canyon de Chelly. After the first day we thought we could not imagine taking in more, but the second day was just as amazing. Percy was a truly remarkable guide and person - he is deeply knowledgeable about the area, both in terms of history and personal experience. He shared many stories with us, and showed us many sites beyond the usual ones. We saw so many petroglyphs, pictographs, old paths and ancient dwellings, and he would make sure we could stop long enough, ask questions and help us to see them in historical and cultural contexts. He also told us a lot about how life in the canyon is now in the present day. Percy was also a brilliant driver and a very wonderful person to spend time with, offering both spiritual insights and a lot of jokes. We had such a memorable, inspiring and enjoyable time with him. We stayed for 3 nights at Thunderbird Lodge, which I really recommend as a base, as it means you are right in the canyon area all the time. We loved having 2 full days to explore this stunning landscape, and taking our time listening to the Native perspective. We also found the Navajo evening presentations and dances at Thunderbird Lodge to be above expectation and very informative and inspiring. We met so many welcoming friendly Diné people, it was hard to leave.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bonnie B
Brookline, MA96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
This morning we took the three hour Private tour through Canyon de Chelly and it was outstanding. Our guide Irene has spent her entire life living in the Navajo Reserve where the canyon is located. She has also studied the history of the canyon and the archeological research of the canyon. Her deep knowledge and personal connection to this breathtaking geological phenomena enhanced our experience all along the way. On its own the canyon is unbelievably beautiful and at times the sheer scale of the place is almost overwhelming. The context Irene provided helped us to also see the canyon as a home where children explore and play and where families have overcome many challenges across time (the Spanish, the US Cavalry, droughts, etc) to pass livelihoods and traditions from generation to generation. We felt safe and never felt rushed throughout the tour. A couple of tips: set your alarm and take the 8 tour. You’ll practically have the canyon to yourself and the morning light on a clear day is great. You’ll be driving on very uneven dirt roads so having an experienced and good driver like Irene is important. Wear layers. It was 48 degrees when we climbed into the SUV and 80 when Irene dropped us back at our hotel. Also I wore my hiking boots and I was glad I did as we stopped and got out of the SUV several times to look more closely at things and take photos.
Written September 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PDN
Atascadero, CA10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Solo
I requested two private 8-hr jeep tours with Canyon de Chelly Tours. Tanya was able to arrange for me a tour of Canyon de Chelly to Spider Rock on 4/2 and a tour of Canyon del Muerto to Mummy Cave on 4/3. I thank them for checking CDC beforehand to verify that the route was good and water passable.

My guide on both tours, Richard, was excellent! He shared his knowledge and stories of the Navajo and of the canyons themselves. He showed me many Anasazi and Navajo ruin sites and explained the many instances of wall art (petroglyphs and pictographs) throughout the canyons.

Richard answered all my questions and knows these canyons very well and loves to share his knowledge. Richard is an avid hiker and recommend several hikes we could do along the way. My favorite was the uphill climb to the Window (CDC).

Richard is great because he points out many things besides just the ruins and wall art (rocks in shapes of animals, the hikes, plants, other sites of historical significance). I hadn’t realized that the cottonwood trees, which dominate the canyon floor, were planted by the California Conservation Corps.

If you’re going to Canyon de Chelly, I can’t praise this company and Richard enough: you must do a jeep tour, preferably after doing the rim drives. Confirm that the jeep has a roll-away top.

Bringing binoculars, hiking shoes, sunscreen, and water is a must.

There is a very friendly family that lives near Antelope House and sells the pottery, jewelry, wooden figures that their members have made. They also sell fry bread, which is amazing.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul M
Phnom Penh, Cambodia4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
The canyon is spectacular, and it had been on my bucket list for 50 years, since my first visit to Arizona. We stayed at the Holiday Inn (lousy internet) and then took an early morning jeep tour with our guide, Reginald. The Canyon is beautiful and quite unspoiled and untouristed, given the very rustic road. The tour was excellent, with Reginald taking us for 3.5 hours up the two branches of the canyon to visit the White House and other ancient indian ruins shelter in overhangs under immense solid rock cliffs. The jeep we were in was in excellent shape and had an electric winch (which Reginald used to get another vehicle unstuck from dep sand). Reginald's stories about Navajo culture and history made the visit particularly special and memorable. I would highly recommend this tour company (and make sure that you get this company, and not its similarly named competitor).
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fred H
Central Point, United States136 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
We decided to take a 3-hour late afternoon canyon tour. We had a fantastic Navajo driver/guide who actually lived in the canyon as a child, who gave us a rich history about every place we traveled. She stopped and let us explore and take photos wherever we wanted. Unlike the driver/guides in the other jeeps, she got out and personally showed us many of the Ananazi ruins, petroglyphs, rocks and other sites. We decided to book with Canyon de Chelly Tours, even though they cost a little bit mote, because they were highly recommended. We were not disappointed.
Written September 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linda W
Minneapolis, MN8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
The trip was fantastic and our guide Lee genuinely personable and knowledgeable. This tour of Canyon de Chelly was one of the best parts of our trip to the Southwest. Lee maneuvered expertly through the canyon floor despite a recent rain. We saw pictographs and petroglyphs up close and cliff dwellings. The serenity of the canyon floor with a few wild horses and the occasional cow was wonderful. But the very best was Lee sharing his extensive knowledge of the Anasazi and the Navaho traditions in an open interchange with the three of us. He brought the soul of the canyon to life. He was eloquent in speaking of the canyon past, the Navajo past and present. He said he had been a guide for 28 years and was open for all questions which opened the door to some great conversations.
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris G
Tucson, AZ6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
The scenery on the canyon floor is otherworldly and you can only get there one way. My partner and I chose the three hour jeep tour, but I heartily recommend a longer visit. Our tour guide Reginald was an exceptional voice for the natural environment and brought emotional depth to those who still occupy the canyon. Don't hesitate to visit the Canyon de Chelly in an intimate way. Canyon de Chelly Tours is your best choice!
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Canyon de Chelly Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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