Canyon X is all light and feet. This Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour (about 1 hour 30 minutes) puts you inside the slot canyons on a Navajo-guided walk, and I love the small-group feel plus the photo-focused guidance from guides like Van and Nick. The only real catch is time: the standard tour is quick, and you’ll need sturdy shoes for stairs and that walk back up.

If you go, you’re getting the key Canyon X basics: a short 4WD ride from MP 308, then two connected slot canyon sections with guide-led stopping points. And yes, there’s an upgrade that turns this into a slower, tripod-friendly experience—so you can actually work the light instead of just sprinting for it.

Key things that make this tour work

• Two slot canyon sections, not just one photo stop: You hike into the first slot area, then walk to a second section with your guide.
• A short desert 4WD ride (3 miles) gets you from parking to the canyon mouth without a long trek.
• Photo Tour upgrade adds real time (2.5 hours in the canyon) and supports tripod use.
• No restrooms inside: you’ll need to use facilities at check-in before you go.
• Stairs are part of the deal: expect a big staircase down and a strenuous walk back up for some people.
• Tips are separate from the price: the Navajo permit is included, but guide tips are not.

Canyon X’s real superpower: it feels easier to breathe in

Antelope Canyon X is the lesser-known cousin of Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon. That matters because Canyon X tends to feel less crowded, which makes the guide’s pacing make sense. You’re not only there for pictures—you’re there for the moment when the canyon walls frame moving light.

The payoff is two connected “wow” zones. First you enter and get guided through the initial slot canyon. Then you’re walked to the second slot canyon section, so the views keep changing instead of ending after one tight stretch of rocks. If you like your desert trips with clear structure (and not “wandering until your phone dies”), this tour format fits.

Where you meet and how you get to the canyon (MP 308 + 4WD)

You start at Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours, MP 308 on AZ-98, in Page. There’s no hotel pickup included, so plan on driving yourself or arranging your own transport.

After check-in and payment, you board a 4×4 vehicle for about 3 miles to the canyon mouth. This is one of the best practical choices about Canyon X: it saves you from a long, bumpy approach walk and gets you ready for the real work—those stairs down and back up.

A small-but-important timing note: check your voucher for the correct local time zone and plan with time changes in mind. If you arrive late, this is no-refund territory, so give yourself a cushion.

Inside Canyon X: the 100-meter entry and the two-slot canyon route

The standard tour is about 1.5 hours total, and the time in the canyon is limited by design. The route is straightforward:

1. Hike about 100 meters into Canyon X after the short 4WD ride.
2. Walk through the first slot canyon section with your guide.
3. Continue about 200 meters to the second slot canyon section.

What makes it satisfying is that you’re not just dropping into a single corridor and leaving. The guide keeps you moving between sections, which helps you avoid the common slot-canyon problem: arriving at the best angle for ten seconds and missing the rest because the group is too slow or too rushed.

Also, Canyon X is shaped to create that signature slot effect—tight rock, narrow light shafts at the right moments, and curves that make your photos look more “designed” than they are. Your guide helps you see where to stand and when to wait a few seconds.

The guide factor: how guides like Van, Nick, and Thomas change your photos

In slot canyons, your camera settings matter. But more than that, where you stand matters. That’s why this tour’s guide-led approach can feel like a cheat code.

In the best experiences, guides don’t just point and move. They actively help with:

• photo positioning for both phones and cameras
• pacing so you can take a shot without being constantly pushed
• short explanations of how the canyon formed and what you’re looking at

I especially noticed names showing up again and again in positive feedback. Guides like Van, Nick, Thomas, and Ethel are repeatedly praised for helping people get the right angle and taking time with groups. Some guides are also described as showing how the canyon formed (for example, Brandon and Mike). And one guide (Josh) was remembered for taking pictures and adding a playful touch with special effects.

Not every guide will match the same teaching style. One review also wished for more historical detail. So if you’re the type who wants the science and stories in your ear, pick a time slot that allows your guide to slow down—or go with the photo upgrade where you’ll usually have more breathing room.

Standard tour vs. Photo Tour upgrade: when tripod time matters

If you’ve got any interest in photography beyond phone snapshots, the Photo Tour upgrade is the difference between rushing and working a scene.

Here’s what changes:

• Instead of the shorter canyon time, you get about 2.5 hours in the canyon.
• It’s designed for photography hobbyists.
• You can use a tripod, which is huge if you want sharper results or lower-light shots.
• Your guide spends more time helping you find the best photo spots, not just keeping the line moving.

This isn’t only for people with expensive gear. Tripod permission helps even simple setups: you can stabilize a phone or camera, slow your shutter, and stop guessing. It also reduces the stress of trying to get everything in before the group advances.

One real advantage you may notice: the canyon feels different when you’re not constantly checking your watch. The colors and the shafts of light shift as you move through the sections and as the sun changes. More time means more chances to catch the light at the right angle.

If you’re traveling with a small group, the photo upgrade can be especially satisfying because you’ll likely have more time for individual shots and fewer “everyone in one spot” bottlenecks.

Practical side of Antelope Canyon X: shoes, stairs, and the lack of restrooms

Let’s talk body reality.

Stairs and walking

The tour is billed as a relatively easy hike, but that’s relative. The FAQ notes there’s a 200 ft staircase to get into Canyon X. One review also mentions about 100 steps on the way out. Translation: the route isn’t technical, but it can be tiring.

What to do:

• wear closed-toe shoes with grip (sneakers or trail runners are common wins)
• bring water (bottled water is provided, but don’t rely on it)
• plan for the exit climb, especially if you’re not used to stairs

If you’re pregnant or you have physical limitations, the tour is not recommended.

Restrooms

There are no restrooms on-site inside the canyon. Use the porta potties at the check-in area before you go in. This one detail can save you a lot of stress.

What not to bring

Strollers and wheelchairs can’t be accommodated. Backpacks and child carriers may be handled differently depending on the operator rules, so follow what your voucher says.

Price and value check: $89 and what it really includes

At $89 per person, this tour isn’t a budget item—but it can still feel fair when you break down what’s included.

You’re paying for:

• your admission to Canyon X
• a Navajo permit fee (listed as $8 per person)
• a Navajo guided walking tour
• bottled water
• the 4WD transport from the parking area to the canyon mouth

What isn’t included:

• guide tips (commonly suggested in the $2–$5 per person range)

So is it worth it? It usually comes down to your style:

• If you want a guided slot-canyon experience with photo help and low hassle, the guide-led navigation and included permit can make the price feel reasonable.
• If you want maximum time and full tripod work, the standard tour can feel too short, and the photo upgrade starts to look like the better deal.

There’s a clear theme in the feedback: people who upgrade or who go in with the right expectations about time tend to love it. The short 1.5-hour format can feel rushed if you want to wander slowly.

Who should book Canyon X (and who should skip it)

This tour is a strong match if:

• you want a guided slot canyon walk without navigating logistics yourself
• you care about getting good photos and want help with positioning
• you like a structured visit: ride in, walk through, ride out

It may be a weaker match if:

• you hate stairs or you’re sensitive to strenuous walks back up
• you need restrooms during the canyon portion
• you expect the tour to last long enough for long, slow exploration without a photo upgrade

One more honest factor: this experience is weather-dependent. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a refund. That’s not unique to Canyon X, but it’s worth building into your plans.

Should you book this Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour?

Book it if you want a guided, photo-friendly Canyon X experience that saves you hassle and gets you into both slot sections without overthinking your day. If photos matter to you, strongly consider the Photo Tour upgrade—the extra canyon time and tripod support can turn a quick visit into the trip highlight you’ll remember.

Don’t book if stairs and tight time windows stress you out, or if you’re not comfortable walking out uphill. And whichever option you choose, read your voucher instructions carefully so you show up on time with the right shoes and expectations.