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Monument Valley Tour: Immersive Navajo Culture Experience
4.9
204 Ratings
Oljato-Monument Valley
Take pleasure in a 3.5-hour cultural journey in the remote areas of the Lower Monument Valley Tribal Park. Learn about the Navajo culture through a visit to a local Hogan Demonstration, listening to the tales told by our guides, and enjoying musical performances.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - The Navajo culture has thrived on the land between the Four Scared Mountains, and those teachings have been inherited through generations of verbal and lesson teaching methods. Some of these teachings are shared with you during the Cultural Tour by your Navajo guide.
The Cultural, 3.5 hour tour makes a first stop at the famous John Ford’s Point where many of John Wayne’s western cinematic movies were filmed. Next, your guide will drive to The Backcountry of the park and escort you to the “Sun’s Eye Arch” and Hogan Demonstration.
At “Sun’s Eye Arch” you will be standing at a specific degree to look up into the rock arch and see why it is named Sun’s Eye. At the same location you will also see Petroglyphs and hear your guide’s stories.
Next, you will travel to the “Big Hogan.” The Big Hogan is a great place to take family pictures and lie against the rocks and feel its warmth. Your guide will provide stories and suggest great photo shots.
The last stop in the Backcountry is the “Ear of the Wind.” This is the largest arch in the park, and your guide will escort you to a photogenic spot where you can take photographs.
Next, you will be guided to the Totem Pole and Yei Bi Cheii Monuments where you will be able to take photographs and hear the cultural stories behind each monument. The last stop is at the North Window where you will have a chance to take pictures of the Mittens and Butte at a different angle. Your tour guide will then slowly and safely transport you back to your departure point.
Unfortunately, we cannot give much information about our guides’ stories because each guide has very uniquely different stories to tell. Our guides’ stories come from personal experience, lore, legends and the Navajo culture.
What's Included
- Local professional guide
- Local taxes included
- Pet-friendly tour
- Complimentary bottled water
- Hand sanitizers upon request
What's Not Included
- Entrance fee to the Monument Valley Tribal Park. National Park passes are not accepted at entrance to park.
- Gratuities
- No Horse Tours
Additional Information
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Adult pricing applies to all adult/senior travelers
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Pet friendly
- We do observe Daylight Savings TIme. We are on Mountain Standard Time (UT). Be advised that there is a one hour time difference between Arizona Time Zone and the Navajo Nation Time Zone (Mid-March to October).
- COVID19 Protocols exercised and in place
- Departing from The View Hotel lobby near wooden benches, have confirmation# ready.
- If you are feeling any symptoms of COVID19 or have been around a person who does, please advise us immediately for cancellation.
Location
XVJP+PW Oljato-Monument Valley
West of The View Hotel building, about 50 yards. Visible Sign: Navajo Tours Loading Area
OPEN-AIR/ENCLOSED SUVS/FULL SIZE VAN'S
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(204 Ratings)
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Myrnab750
Jun 20, 2024
Awesome Monument Valley tour - My husband and I had a wonderful 3-1/2 hour solo tour led by Vander. He shared so much about the Navajo culture and beautiful Monument Valley iconic landmarks, including stops at many truly epic photo opportunities. We really enjoyed the musical interlude shared with another tour group in the natural amphitheater of Eye of the Sun and the hogan visit with a Diné weaver and jewelry maker. Great experience and great tour guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel484071
Jun 16, 2024
Worth the money. - This is an excellent tour. You get to see the back country. Our guide Yvonne is well informed and gave us information on geology, history and culture. The gracious hospitality of the local resident was the highlight of the tour. I only wish i had known to bring a tip/ donation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roberts13599
Jun 13, 2024
Wonderful tour!! - Our guide was awesome! I wish I could remember her name. She played and sang for us. Also, took our picture several times. Views were gorgeous. A little windy with sand blowing several times, but we expected that to happen. Would definitely recommend to others!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Francis_l
Jun 11, 2024
An unforgettable travel in the past - The cultural part was the most interesting particularly the very ancient petroglyph on the wall of the cliff. Our guide Harry Nez Jr. We thank him very much.
Review provided by Viator
Y6815thjessed
Jun 6, 2024
Incredible Tour by an Amazing Guide - We had an incredible tour with Yvonne as our guide. We had driven the 17 mile Monument Valley trail the day before in our van so Yvonne really focused on the back country portion of the Valley which is only accessible on a tour. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Yvonne our guide was amazing and told us so much about the native cultures and their long and sacred history in the area. At one point she played a beautiful wooden flute for us while we rested under one of the arches. She taught me how to use my phone for better pictures and took most of the good ones herself (see attached). There is so much beauty to see and so much important cultural history to be learned over the 3.5 hour tour. This tour was definitely worth what we paid and we would recommend bringing cash as there are multiple stops where you can buy beautiful authentic arts and crafts, donate to support the Hogon (traditional home) you are invited to see, and tip your guide. We're not made of money but there is not a dollar spent that we regret and we wish we had even brought more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidvd2832uv
Jun 3, 2024
Darren with Dineh Bekeyah Tours Monument Valley - We decided to go with a private tour and we sure are glad we did. Darren Yazzie was our guide and was awesome. Knew specifics about every turn on the ride while teaching us about the specific monuments and helping us identify the hidden images. Darren was very patient with the kids and let them play when they wanted to. He is also an excellent driver in the sand and knows how to handle 4WD like a pro.
Ask for Darren if you decide to book here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Usalouise
May 31, 2024
Exceptional Tour with Comasheena! - We booked a private tour for two for May 4 (3.5 hours Cultural Tour). From the start, the communication with Charlene Johnson was excellent, and phone calls were answered promptly. Charlene also seemed very efficient at managing the tour vehicles in the parking lot at The View. We paid extra to have a private tour but it was the right decision for us. We traveled in a very comfortable 4 x 4 enclosed vehicle (the larger group tours may use an open vehicle for better sighting by all).
Comasheena Benally was an exceptional guide! We learned so much about the Dineh (Navajo) peoples from her own personal history and life experiences. Of course, we enjoyed seeing the beautiful scenery (especially away from the public drive) but Comasheena's commentaries enhanced the natural wonders. We also visited a Hogan and were able to see a weaving demonstration and many interesting Dineh items.
Comasheena was great with photography tips, too, and helped me achieve some unique shots. She also played the drum and sang a beautiful Dineh song for us at the Big Hogan site. Then at the end, Comasheena sang another song to leave us with a blessing for a safe return home.
We enjoyed doing the tour in the morning as we saved the sunset views for eating dinner outside at The View (order food to go and take it outside). I recommend doing at least a 3.5 hour tour.
I highly recommend booking a private tour with Dineh Bekeyah Tours, and particularly with Comasheena Benally as your guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passport59285400754
May 29, 2024
Dineh Bekeyah Tour, 3.5 hours ***** - Our guide was John and he was excellent. It was only the 4 of us. We saw other tours that were packed, so we were so delighted to have John to ourselves. He spoke a lot about the culture and history of the Native Americans. You really can't visit Monument Valley without taking one of these tours. You go into the back country where cars are not allowed. I definitely recommend Dineh Bekeyah Tours and John.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
453dwaynet
May 28, 2024
Great Private Backcountry Tour - It goes without saying that this valley is truly amazing, and worth visiting for sure. But, with Dineh at the helm giving us a private tour, we were able to really extend the experience into not just more knowledge of what we were seeing, but cultural enrichment in knowing so much more about the people who call this valley part of their home. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daydream37608490908
May 27, 2024
Our dream came true! - This tour was amazing. We have learned a lot about the Monument Valley and the Navajos. We were so lucky too, it was just 2 of us. Our guide was Joseph. He was wonderful, funny, made amazing pictures from us.
We were enjoying every second. Highly recommended for everyone.
Thank you for this opportunity, we will definitely remember it forever.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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