Monument Valley Day Trips from Las Vegas

One of the things you must do in Las Vegas is to take an excursion to visit Monument Valley. This valley is located within the reservation of the native Navajo Nation, one of the main American Indian groups. Usually the guide of these tours is also a native, so you will live a very interesting cultural exchange while that person tells you the details of Monument Valley.

You will not only go to appreciate the amazing landscapes, but you will live a different experience. You can choose the different ways to explore the desert. Some people prefer to go on a safari, others in an off-road vehicle, and others prefer a relaxed ride on a horse. What is your favorite option?

Visiting Monument Valley is an activity you can do at any time of the day. If you are visiting Las Vegas for only two days then you might want to choose a guided scenic tour. In just three hours you can explore the highlights of Monument Valley in a safari-style vehicle. The average cost of this tour is $75.

After meeting your guide and the rest of the group, you will begin your journey into the Nevada desert. There you will pass by emblematic sites such as the Arsenic Arches and see famous monuments such as the Three Sisters, John Ford Point, Moccasin Arch, Totem Pole, among others. Bring your best camera to take good pictures and selfies!

Also on this tour you will pass by West and East Mitten Butters, iconic hills in the desert, northeast of Navajo County in the state of Arizona, which is part of the Navajo Nation. From there you will have a spectacular panoramic view that you have surely seen in numerous movies.

At all times your guide will tell you the history of these sites and explain the culture of the Navajo, the people with the largest Native American community in the United States. You will definitely make the most of your vacation with this tour. As lunch is not included, I recommend you to enjoy a gastronomic tour in Las Vegas from mid-afternoon that will make you taste the best flavors.

Details of interest

• Price: about 75 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: safari type vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: you can explore Monument Valley in less than a few hours to continue enjoying other activities that Las Vegas has for you.
• Disadvantages of this option: if this has been one of the places you have most wanted to visit, this tour may be too short for you. I suggest you look for longer excursions where you can explore for more time.

If you are a fan of sunrises then you should visit Monument Valley early in the morning. This type of tour lasts approximately three hours and costs an average of 85 €. From the beautiful panoramic views of Monument Valley you will be able to appreciate all the colors of the sky at sunrise, do you like the idea?

Your guide will be with you at all times so you can learn about this area of Nevada and its history. You will be able to explore the rock formations aboard an all-terrain vehicle. If you like this plan, I suggest you take an off-road tour in Las Vegas.

One of the highlights is a visit to the monuments known as the Three Sisters and John Ford Point. Some companies allow you to take your pets in the vehicle, so if you are on vacation with your dogs or cats, you can take them along. After strolling and enjoying the sunrise, your guide will take you back to the starting point.

Details of interest

• Price: about 85 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: safari type vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: you can enjoy the sunrise from the desert and if you travel with your pet, you can take it with you to know this corner of the world.
• Disadvantages of this option: you must get up very early to be able to live this experience and not all people like the idea.

While sunrise has beautiful colors, sunset can give you a totally different experience from Monument Valley. These tours usually last at least four hours and have an average cost of $90. It is an unforgettable experience as you can experience the warmth of the afternoon sun and within minutes, the cool of the night.

A Navajo guide will be with you during the tour to tell you the history of this area of the United States. After boarding a safari vehicle, you will drive through the desert to the first stop to admire the scenery. You will continue until you reach the John Ford's Point monument and the Three Sisters.

On this type of excursion the guides usually take your group to a stop to learn a little more about the Navajo culture. On this one you will see a rug weaving demonstration and a live cultural dance. Other monuments included in the tour are the Totem Pole. From here, the view of the sunset will be phenomenal and I recommend stopping for at least half an hour to appreciate it and take the best pictures.

The tour can end a little after sunset. If you are interested in touring the desert at that time, I recommend a night tour from Las Vegas. Some organizers include a special service to take you to your hotel. These details are best discussed with your guide.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 90 €.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transportation: safari type vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: in this type of excursion you will be able to appreciate Monument Valley during the day, at sunset and at night. Every moment is memorable and you will love it.
• Disadvantages of this option: during the night it can be a little colder in this area, so I recommend taking a sweater to protect you in case of very low temperatures.

Do you remember the old western movies where the main characters were brave cowboys? Well, this is your chance to feel like you are in one of those movies. In this horseback riding tour of Monument Valley, you will be able to ride through this national park for about an hour for an average cost of 85 ¤.

When you arrive at the meeting point your guide will explain all the basics you need to know before the tour. In addition, he will give you a helmet for safety. If you have no riding experience, don't worry, tell your guide and you will receive special treatment and even a trained horse to help you according to your level. You don't have to be afraid because these animals are used to this job.

The tour will be in the upper part of Monument Valley. In this area you will be able to see important sites such as Sitting Hen, Eagle Mesa and other red sand rock formations. You will also be able to make special stops to take the best pictures with the desert in the background.

Details of interest

• Price: about 85
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transportation: horse.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to explore Monument Valley riding a horse that suits your experience and skills.
• Disadvantages of this option: some people are afraid of horses. If this is your case, it is best to choose another type of tour that you are more comfortable with.

Traveller tip
Some people are very afraid that the animal will react in a bad way and an accident may occur. That is why it is better to be calm so that the horse is also relaxed. These animals are very intelligent and know the route, so you don't have to worry.

In case you are an adventure lover and want to spend a lot of time in nature, I recommend this kind of tours. For three days and two nights you can tour the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon. The average cost of this experience is 600 € and it is worth every penny as you will have food, lodging and all the comforts you need.

For this tour you will need to prepare a bag with at least three changes of clothes so you will be comfortable every day. This type of tour starts early in the morning. Generally a group of at least five people is gathered. The tour is done through the historic Route 66 in an open vehicle in order to appreciate the scenery.

The first day you will visit the Grand Canyon and see the Hoover Dam and other interesting landscapes. If you like this destination I suggest you take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. On the second day it will be time to visit Antelope Canyon in northern Arizona, so get your camera ready and take the best pictures in this desert landscape! All this transfer will be done in a very comfortable car or van.

Finally on the third day you will arrive at Monument Valley and you will feel like in an "old west" movie with the panoramic views. In the morning you will enjoy the winding desert landscapes of the southwestern United States and in the afternoon it will be time to return to Las Vegas in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.

Details of interest

• Price: about 600 ¤.
• Duration: about 3 days and 2 nights.
• Means of transportation: open vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: with this type of excursion you can explore the nature of the Nevada desert at your leisure, not only the Monument Valley. In addition, you will always be accompanied by a tour guide who knows the area to perfection.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you have little time to explore Las Vegas, this type of tour is not the best option because you must invest three days.

When you go on a tour of Monument Valley keep in mind that this is a Navajo Nation Tribal Park. It is also a beautiful desert wilderness area worth exploring. If you are interested, you can take tours to national parks from Las Vegas to continue enjoying the nature offered by the state of Nevada and Arizona.

In all tours you will be able to observe the vastness and beauty of the desert. Occasionally you will see some desert animals and plants. However, the natural monuments of rock formations are the main attraction of these tours.

Some of the tours I recommended also include a cultural demonstration of the Navajo people. This may include traditional dances or an exhibition of typical native crafts. This is a good opportunity for you to learn about their history and the reasons why this area is so loved and appreciated.

The great advantage of this type of tour is that your guide knows how to get to this place, the most iconic scenery of the old west. This is why I advise you to relax and trust your guide.

For excursions into the desert I always recommend wearing sunscreen. If you are exposed to the sun for too long without any protection, you can end up with sunburn. Also, it is important to stay hydrated. Usually these tours include water bottles, so feel free to ask for your own during the tour.

On the other hand, no matter what type of transportation you choose to tour Monument Valley, I recommend wearing breathable and comfortable clothing. This way you will feel cooler. Hats and sunglasses can be very helpful to protect you from the sand and light that can sometimes be a bit blinding.

Some of the tours can be done in more than two days. In this case you should carry a small backpack with your belongings. Try to keep only what is necessary so that you do not carry too much weight on the way. You can take several items of clothing, your toothbrush, personal documents and your sunscreen.

I do not suggest you take personal hygiene items. Those products, at least the most essential ones, will be available at the hotel where you are staying. Try not to bring unnecessary things to make your trip more comfortable.