Itineracy help for Antelope canyon

Question

Hello

We are planning to arrive PHX Friday night 1/17 and drive up to Page Saturday and stay the night there.

The thinking is we would get to Page Saturday around noon time/1pm and maybe do Upper Antelope in the afternoon and potentially visit Horseshoe Bend. And then Sunday late morning we would do lower antelope since I read that lower antelope has better light btw December and March in the late morning.

Right now we do see available time slots at various tours but before booking, wanted to get experienced advice on if our thinking makes sense or it’s better to do lower antelope on Saturday afternoon instead , or if there are better options or other Antelope canyons that may be better?

And driving back from Antelope canyon to Phoenix on Sunday, does it make sense to drive Painted Desert or is that way out of the way? And is that more a drive through thing or we need to allocate additional time to make a stop to tour it?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Your proposed itinerary for visiting Page and Antelope Canyon in January makes sense, but a few adjustments and clarifications can help optimize your visit for light conditions and timing.

Saturday Arrival in Page

Arriving around noon or 1pm gives you enough time to check into your hotel and do a single canyon tour in the afternoon. Between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, the choice depends on your priorities:

Upper Antelope Canyon: Easier to walk, wheelchair accessible, less climbing, very photogenic at midday with beams of light if the sun is strong. In January, light beams may be limited, but still visually stunning. Afternoon is fine, but the midday sun (11am–1pm) often creates better lighting for photography.
Lower Antelope Canyon: More adventurous, requires climbing stairs and narrow passages, excellent lighting later in the morning, especially December through March. Afternoon visits are less optimal for photography because the light angles are not ideal.

Recommendation: Do Upper Antelope Canyon on Saturday afternoon for an easier, less strenuous introduction, and plan Lower Antelope Canyon for Sunday late morning to capture the best light. This aligns with your current thinking and is commonly suggested by experienced visitors.

Horseshoe Bend:

Horseshoe Bend is very close to Page and can be visited either Saturday afternoon (before or after Upper Antelope) or Sunday morning if you start early. A short 15–20 minute hike from the parking lot leads to the viewpoint.

Other Antelope Canyons:

There are a few privately guided canyons like Rattlesnake Canyon or Secret Canyon, but they are less known and may offer a quieter experience. For a first-time visit and to maximize light photography, Upper and Lower Antelope remain the top choices.

Driving back to Phoenix / Painted Desert detour:

The Painted Desert is northeast of Page along Highway 160 and I-40, which is out of the direct Phoenix route. Driving through without stopping is long and may not be worth the extra miles for a same-day return to Phoenix.

If you want to visit Painted Desert, allocate an additional half to full day, possibly staying overnight in Holbrook or nearby to break up the drive.
Otherwise, continue on the more direct route via US-89 south through Flagstaff for a more efficient return.

Suggested Itinerary Summary:

Saturday: Arrive in Page around noon, check in, tour Upper Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, optional visit to Horseshoe Bend before sunset.
Sunday: Lower Antelope Canyon tour late morning to catch optimal light, depart for Phoenix via US-89 south. Skip Painted Desert unless you plan an overnight stop.

This itinerary balances light conditions for photography, manageable tours, and travel time, making the most of your short Page visit without overextending the drive back to Phoenix.

Itineracy help for Antelope canyon

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