Canyon de Chelly & Monument Valley
April 30, 2024 thru May 2, 2024
Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley are both natural wonders. Now you can experience both on the same tour! Canyon de Chelly is a National Park entirely owned and maintained by the Navajo Nation. The legends of Navajo origin, family patterns, and rituals are centered in the Canyon, where people have lived for nearly 5,000 years. As we navigate this unique tour, we are enveloped in a scene of earthy colors, sharp rock lines, shadows, cactus-studded red soil, and dazzling blue skies. We are immersed, invigorated, and uplifted by all we see and feel.

Transportation
Deluxe Motorcoach

Trip Duration
3 days, 2 nights

Activity Level 4
Active

Meals
3 meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch) included

Availability
Available

Gratuities
Tour Director, Driver & Local Guide tips included
Tour Highlights
- Jeep Tour of Canyon de Chelly
- South Rim Canyon de Chelly Driving Tour
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Tour & Rug Weaving Demonstration
- Optional: John Wayne movie at Earth Spirit Theater
- Goosenecks State Park
- Four Corners Monument
Inclusions
- Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
- 2 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
- Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
- 3 Meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch)
- Admission to all listed attractions
- Your Professional SUN TOURS Tour Director
- All taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)
Day 1 - Journey & Jeep Tour
Kick off your adventure with bus pick-ups at the Meadowlark Senior Center and the Sun Tours office. On our way, we will make a comfort stop to ensure that we have a smooth and enjoyable journey. Then, savor an independent lunch in Chinle, AZ at the Thunderbird Lodge Cafeteria, set against a backdrop of stunning desert vistas.
The highlight of the day is the thrilling Jeep Tour with Thunderbird Tours. Traverse the rugged terrains, feeling the pulse of the land and soaking in breathtaking panoramas that tell tales of times gone by. Rest up from the day at the Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly as the sun dips lower in the sky. The evening is yours to explore and dine.
Day 2 - Canyon de Chelly
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. We embark on the South Rim driving tour, offering panoramic vistas and insights into the area’s history. Conclude the tour at the Canyon de Chelly Monument Welcome Center. Later, arrive at Goulding’s Lodge in Monument Valley for a delightful group lunch. In the afternoon, set out on a captivating Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Tour, including a rug weaving demonstration. Conclude your day with dinner on your own, and optionally, enjoy a classic John Wayne movie at the Earth Spirit Theater.
Meals included: (B, L)
Day 3 - Monument Valley
After a hearty breakfast at the Stagecoach Restaurant, we’ll make our way to the mesmerizing Goosenecks State Park, renowned for its deep meanders of the San Juan River. As we journey on, we’ll briefly pass through Bluff before reaching the iconic Four Corners Monument, the only point in the U.S. where four states converge. We’ll then continue to Farmington, where you’ll have some free time for lunch. Post-lunch, we’ll take a short break in Cuba before heading back to Meadowlark or the Sun Tours office.
Meals included: (B)
Itinerary subject to change.
Fun Facts
Canyon de Chelley Pronunciation
"Canyon de Chelly" is often pronounced as "Canyon de Shay" or "Canyon de Shell-ee." The name is derived from the Navajo word "Tseyi" or "Tséyi," which means "inside the rock."
Ancient Dwellings
The canyons have been inhabited for nearly 5,000 years, with archaeological evidence of ancient Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) and Hopi dwellings.
Sacred & Spiritual
Canyon de Chelly holds deep spiritual significance for the Navajo people, who believe it's a place where their ancestors' spirits continue to dwell.
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly
Chinle, AZ
Goulding's Lodge
Monument Valley, UT
Package Pricing
$905 per person
Double Occupancy
Deposit: $200
$1,055 per person
Single Occupancy
Deposit: $200
Final Payment Due:
March 13, 2024
Deposit: N/A
Price Includes
• Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
• 2 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
• Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
• 3 Meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch)
• Admission to all listed attractions
• Your Professional SUN TOURS Tour Director
• All taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)
Booking Policy
FINAL PAYMENT DUE: March 13, 2024
CANCELLATION FEES:
- None – through March 13, 2024
- $200 – March 14 – March 28, 2024
- $500 – March 29 – April 13, 2024
- 100% – after April 13, 2024
TRAVEL PROTECTION STARTS AT $104
ACTIVITY LEVEL RATING
Level 1: Easy
Expectations: Little to no walking. Traveling at a leisurely pace, this itinerary requires a small amount of physical activity. Depending on the itinerary details, guests will need to be prepared to board a plane, bus, boat, ferry or ship. There will be some walking to rooms, cabins or restaurants and general points of interest. This may also include an occasional flight of stairs or some steps during transfers and stops.
Appropriate for: All travelers including those with lower mobility and who are comfortable participating in at least three hours of activity per day.
ITINERARY
For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.
The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.
GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE
The traditional end-of-tour gratuity to your tour director is included on this tour. All hotel porterage and airport skycap (when available) fees are included. We also include the gratuities for the coach drivers. Hotel housekeeping tips are not included.
LODGING REQUESTS
If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.
Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.
TRAVEL REQUESTS
We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.
RESPONSIBILITY
SUN TOURS acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.
WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is located in northeastern Arizona, within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. In May, the weather at Canyon de Chelly tends to be relatively mild and comfortable, making it a popular time for visitors. Here are some general weather characteristics for Canyon de Chelly in May:
Temperature:
Average High: Around 70-80°F (21-27°C)
Average Low: Around 40-50°F (4-10°C)
Precipitation:
May is generally one of the drier months at Canyon de Chelly, with limited rainfall.
Sun and Sky:
Expect mostly clear skies and plenty of sunshine.
What to Wear:
Light layers are recommended, as temperatures can vary significantly from day to night.
A light jacket or sweater may be needed for cooler mornings and evenings.
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) is crucial due to the high altitude and strong sun.
Notes:
Weather can change rapidly, so it’s always a good idea to check the forecast closer to your visit and prepare for varying conditions.
The elevation of Canyon de Chelly is over 5,000 feet, so the sun can be particularly intense, even if the air feels cool.
Visiting Canyon de Chelly in May offers the chance to experience its stunning landscapes and rich history in comfortable weather conditions.
Inquire About This Tour
Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.
Call 505.889.8888 to Book Today!
If you aren't ready to inquire by email or would rather call and speak to a team member, we look forward to hearing from you.
Not done exploring?
We have plenty of tours to choose from, so take a look around!