NV/AZ/UT Road Trip: Lower Antelope Canyon

On day 7, we had an early tour of the Lower Antelope Canyon. It's one of the spots that I was really looking forward to visiting, and turned out to be near the Upper Antelope Canyon that we visited the day before. To be honest, both the Upper and the Lower Canyons are almost the same and each one has a charm all their own. So best not to compare each other.

When I presented to the Reservation Window, I was asked if I would like to take the earliest tour slated at 7:45 am and leaving in 5 minutes, which was a bit confusing since we had a different tour time. Perhaps they have a cancellation, so they offered us the slot. Naturally we said yes; we're already here and no need to wait for our tour when we can have this right now.

Gibb was the tour guide given to us. We were a small group. I think there were about 10 of us. From the congregation area, we walked to the canyon about 15-20 minutes. At that early time, the sun was starting to be a bother. However, thankfully, there was a cool breeze.

Once we arrived at the entrance, there was a long, almost vertical staircase down to the canyon. So steep that descending the steps backwards was the safest way to do it. One lady was hyperventilating with fear. She can barely move her legs down to the next rung. Her companion was giving her encouragement to go ahead and just follow him down the steps. With so much courage she was able to conquer her fear long enough to complete the task. I was following her down the stairs with the husband just behind me. When I saw that lady fight her fears I realized that my fear pales in comparison with hers. That boosted my confidence and I was able to set aside any fear or discomfort or even the physical reaction my fear does to my muscles.

Now behind my husband are the European couple. The woman also had fear of heights. She was not able to win over it and so they did not go down. Such a pity because on the walk here they were telling the guide that how much they look forward to visiting it after a friend of theirs from back home gushed about the beauty of it.

They have missed a great experience, an epic adventure, once in a lifetime escapade. The Lower Canyon is 1.1 miles of mind-blowing sight after another. If you think the Upper Canyon is incredible, which it is, you're in for a better surprise. There are five flights of stairs, let me throw it out there, nothing like the first one though. The Lower Canyon is V-shaped and shallower, but also has more light. There were even a couple of arches. Let me just say , I think both are spectacular. The difference though is that here in Lower Canyon we did the first tour of the day, which means no one else was here except us for the most part of the way.

While that was really wonderful, I wished that we had more time here. I know that it was not possible given the many tours slated back to back. We were definitely lucky to do the tour on our own without other groups, and our guide Gibb was excellent. He knew which spots to take selfies and photos. Also, unlike the Upper Canyon, the Lower Canyon is a one-way tour, which means we had to snap that shot if we wanted it taken because we aren't going back this way again.

This has got to be one of the most beautiful, memorable trips I have taken. Someday when I make a list of my top 10 places I visited, it would be a surprise if this doesn't get included.

I know I shared many photos today, but I have some more if you want to see, my FLIK'R album.

Looks like this road trip series is going to end afterall.