Location: Phoenix
Day 1 - 10 Jan 2020
Desert Botanical Garden
Content: Land in Phoenix as it has one of the widely used international airports with lots of flight options. If you’re a nature person, spend the first day in leisure. You’ll find cactus plants everywhere and I mean everywhere - driving down the freeway, at the middle of parking lots etc. Since I was fascinated by these plants and wanted to learn more, I ended up finding this Desert Botanical Garden that’s right between Scottsdale and Tempe, AZ. Here there were all types of cacti that will allow you to fully enjoy the feel of the American desert lands. I learnt plenty of interesting facts like how a saguaro can store up to a 1000 gallons of water at any given time. Mind blown!
Location: Page
Day 2 - 11 Jan 2020
Antelope Canyon
Content: Located about a 4 hour drive away from Phoenix, you’ll find Antelope Canyon in the city of Page, AZ. This is an absolute must visit atleast once in your life time if you can. The only access to this location is by booking a private tour with one of the few Native Navajo business that offer it. I went with “Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie”. These canyons were formed by eroding Sandstone from frequent flash floods. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs through these extensive basins picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. The Upper Canyon is called “Tse' bighanilini” by the Navajo people which translates to “the place where water runs through rocks”. Incredibly fascinating!
Location: Coconino County
Day 2 - 11 Jan 2020
Horseshoe Bend
Content: If you’re in Page, AZ don’t miss stopping by the Horseshoe Bend. It’s just a 10 min drive from Antelope Canyon and a short 15 min hike up to this location from the parking lot. There are quiet a few steep hills/stair to get to here so remeber to hydrate and carry a full water bottle with you (especially if you visit in the summer time). Being afraid of heights I still somehow managed to get up here for this view. Facing one fear at a time! When your done start driving towards oljato and stay the night at the View Hotel. See day 3 of details of this hotel.
Location: Oljato-Monument Valley
Day 3 - 12 Jan 2020
The View Hotel
Content: There aren’t many hotels around this area but if you go stay here! I recommend this to all my friend and family who think about visiting and now I’m telling you as well! To wake up to the sunrise here and have your morning coffee in this balcony is magical. Believe me.
Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center
Content: Located about a 2 hour drive up north-east from Page,AZ you’ll get to Monument Valley. THIS place made me feel like out of this world. On another planet, on Mars! As National Geography describes it - These “Buttes” behind me in this picture are formed “through the process of erosion, the gradual wearing away of earth by water, wind, and ice.” You are never allowed to question the possibilities of miracles & magic after this experience.
Sacred Monument Tours
Content: Here’s one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ll keep with me forever! This was my first time ever Horseback riding. If you didn’t know, horses are used as the primary mode of transportation to get around these vast North American desert lands. As a first time tourists here, there no other way to experience the majestic Buttes up close. So grateful and blessed to have found a local business that offered this opportunity.