MONUMENT VALLEY
Trek to Navajo country
To truly experience the American West, a trip to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a must. With its world-famous sandstone masterpieces, vast open plains scattered with vegetation and trademark red sand, it’s an adventurer’s paradise that’s waiting to be explored. In fact, this is not a valley in the conventional sense but rather, a wide, flat, quite desolate landscape. The area has been filmed and photographed countless times over the years for movies, adverts and holiday brochures. It’s become one of the most iconic images of the Wild West as well as a popular tourist destination.
Although offering some spectacular hikes, as well as the opportunity to embrace your inner cowboy and saddle up to set off on horseback, the most exhilarating way to see the valley is by joining a jeep tour.
Become the star of your own action film as you bump and bounce across the sandy wilderness with the wind whipping through your hair, before having a race down one of the sandy slopes and tumbling to the bottom!
The biggest attractions are obviously the red rock buttes formed over millions of years from several layers of rock. These magnificently sculpted pinnacles have withstood erosion from water, wind and varying temperatures, and stand as high as 300 metres (1,000 feet) tall. They are as formidable as they’re beautiful.
Named for their resemblance to two giant hands with their thumbs facing each other, the West and East Mitten Buttes are a must-see. Another is John Ford’s Point, which is a ledge named after the film director who used it as a camera location several times for its panoramic views.
After a day of excitement, enjoy an evening of Navajo culture and learn more about the sacred history of this very special place. Sit down to a hearty meal at a location near Rain God Mesa, followed by a performance of traditional dancing, music and storytelling by an open fire.
You may also want to take home some handmade jewellery or simply your memories of a legend that lives on.