There are numerous beautiful hidden gems in Hong Kong that are yet to be discovered,Pak Kok Cave 白角洞 is definitely on top of the list. This stunning cave is situated southwest of Lantau Island Tai Long Wan Village 大浪灣村, close to Tai Long Wan Campsite 大浪灣營地.
If you are a nature lover, rest assured Pak Kok Cave 白角洞 will not disappoint you. The coasteering and swimming before getting to the cave will ensure your day is filled with nothing but a lot of fun. It’s an adventure you will never expect!
There are many popular caves in Hong Kong that are known to many, like Cheung Po Tsai Cave 張保仔洞 in Cheung Chau, Silvermine Cave 銀鑛洞 in Mui Wo, Mok Min Cave 木棉洞 in Sai Kung, etc. Pak Kok Cave 白角洞 is like no others, once you are inside the cave looking out, the view you are going to get is mind-blowing, you will be stunned for a while. The natural shape of the cave forms a beautiful frame framing the sky, clouds, mountain and sea, there’s even a platform for you to be on the picture. It is extremely Instagrammable!
Say CHEESE!!!
My Trail:
” Sha Tsui 沙咀 > Tai Long Wan Campsite 大浪灣營地 > Campsite Beach 營地海灘 > PAK KOK CAVE 白角洞 > Campsite Beach 營地海灘 > Tai Long Wan Campsite 大浪灣營地 > Sha Tsui 沙咀 ”
Distance: 9 KM Duration: 5 hours Elevation Gain: 391 M Difficulty: 4/5 (coasteering experience is needed for this trail!) View: 5/5
How to get there & return:
1. Take MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung 東涌 station, take exit B and walk to the main bus terminus.
2. Take the New Lantau Bus #11 going to Tai O, then get off at Sha Tsui 沙咀 right after passing Shek Pik Reservoir.
3. If you are going from Mui Wo 梅窩 Pier, take the New Lantau Bus #1 going to Tai O, then get off at Sha Tsui 沙咀 right after passing Shek Pik Reservoir.
4.Your adventure begins there!
5. This is a circular trail, starting and finishing point are the same. After you complete the hike, you can cross the road and wait for the bus to either return to Tung Chung by taking New Lantau Bus #11 or to Mui Wo Pier by taking New Lantau Bus #1.
Hike Overview:
This trail is a combination of hiking & coasteering. The hiking part is easy, I am rating this trail with the difficulty level of 4/5 for its physical part when you are coasteering from the campsite beach to the cave. There are certain levels of danger, I’d recommend you to either have some experiences in coasteering, or you go with experienced hikers, just to minimise the risk of putting yourself in danger. Also, you must know how to swim.
From Sha Tsui 沙咀, where you get off the bus, it is less than 4 km hike on an almost flat concrete path and you’ll arrive at the Tai Long Wan Campsite sign.
Take the steps behind the sign and go down to the campsite beach.
The beautiful campsite beach with Lantau Peak situated behind.
Once you are at the beach, take a moment to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings, then you will begin coasteering.
So, what is actually coasteering? Coasteering is a physical activity that encompasses movement along the intertidal zone (seashore) of a rocky coastline on foot or by swimming, without the aid of boats, surf boards or other craft.
You will hike around the coastline to reach Pak Kok Cave!
It is always recommended you do coasteering during low tide, because you will have more walkable rocky coastline without the need of climbing higher to go further. Remember, coasteering can be dangerous, if at any time you slip or lose your footing, you will have injuries. Challenging yourself is good but your safety should always be the top priority, you should know your limit!
Make sure you are well-equipped, a good hiking shoe with good grip to prevent slippery, gloves for climbing, torch/headlamp in the cave or draw attention when needed, waterproof bag as you might be swimming in the water, ziplock bag to protect your cellphone and wallet, plenty of water and snacks.
A new thrilling way of enjoying the nature!
From the campsite beach, it is approximately half a kilometre by coasteering to the 2 gorgeous Pak Kok Caves.
Please see the map below for the location of the 2 caves:
While you are coasteering, depending on the tide level, the accessibility by trekking on the rocky shoreline, and your ability to climb over higher rocks, you will decide if it is easier & safer for you to trek along the shoreline, or to get in the water and swim along the coast. Do be careful while you swim, most rocks under the water have sharp edges, some cuts are inevitable.
During hot summer months, taking a dip in the water is so refreshing!
You will first arrive at the Pak Kok Cave (2nd Cave), where you will see a big entrance, go inside the cave and look out, enjoy the view and take some stunning pictures.
“ Exploration is curiosity put into action. ”
– Don Walsh
The Main Cave is just less than 100 feet away, at the entrance of the 2nd cave, you should see a long rope, use it to help you climbing up the rock and that will lead you to the main cave.
Soon you will arrive at the Pak Kok Cave (Main Cave), this one is even more impressive than the 2nd one. Now, you deserve a lot of time resting, admiring the scenery and take a lot of pictures. This is your biggest reward!
For returning to the campsite beach, why not taking a swim, it is very relaxing.
You will then follow exactly the same way from the campsite beach all the way back to Sha Tsui 沙咀, where you started.
If you are attempting this trail, be careful and I hope you will have an enjoyable time like I did.
Pyramids often arouse our curiosity, we wonder how & why they are built. There are pyramids all over the world. Some pyramids are tombs, some are temples while the purpose for countless pyramids have been lost to time. There are pyramids said to map out the stars. Numerous pyramids hide in jungles standing as testaments to the technology of ancient civilisations and I’m sure there are pyramids yet to be discovered.
We all know Giza Pyramid is in Egypt, and in Mexico, there is Chichén Itzá (El Castillo).
Pyramids often invite more questions than they answer, but that mystery is part of why they remain so compelling.
Chichén Itzá
Thousands of years ago Chichén Itzá was full of people. It was one of the most powerful cities of one of the most powerful ancient cultures – the Maya. But today, no one lives there. It is only a group of old buildings. However, people from around the world still come to see it. People come to learn about its ancient culture, the culture of the Maya people.
Chichén Itzá is a complex of Mayan ruins centrally located on the northern half of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Although it’s an important tourist attraction, Chichén Itzá also remains an active archeological site. New discoveries are still being unearthed in the area, providing even more insight into the culture and accomplishments of the Mayan people, who ruled much of present-day Mexico and Central America prior to the arrival of European colonists.
El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulcan, the famed recognisable stepped pyramid is dominating the site’s centre.
Chichén Itzá was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and, on the 7th July 2007, it was voted in a global survey as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Why was Chichén Itzá Built?
Chichén Itzá was one of the largest cities in the Yucatan in the pre-Columbian era. It was a major commercial centre and had sprawling residential complexes. Researchers suggest the city even had suburbs. Imagine hundreds of Mayans traveling to Chichén Itzá everyday for work and trade! Chichén Itzá saw the heights of prosperity around 600 AD.
Mayans were also clever in building Chichén Itzá at this location because of pure logistical reasons. The site was close to a huge cenote, also called the Sacred Cenote, that supplied the city with fresh underground water. Remember, we are back in 600 AD when fresh drinking water was still not available widely. The cenote could have played a major role in Chichén Itzá’s rise to prominence.
Maya Civilisation (The Mayans)
The Mayan culture began almost 3,000 years ago. It grew in parts of Central America. Today we know this area as the countries of Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
The Mayans were skilled in many areas. Experts believe the Mayans were excellent farmers. They also believe that the Mayans created a complex written language. This may have been the first written language to come from the Americas. The Mayans were also very good at mathematics. Their number system included the number “zero.” Mathematics experts say that using the number zero was an amazing thing. Other ancient cultures of the time did not use this number.
However, people may know the Mayans best for their calendar. A calendar separates time into different lengths, like months, days and minutes. Making a very exact calendar is extremely difficult. But the Mayans used their knowledge of mathematics and their interest in the stars to build a calendar. They carefully observed the movements of the sun, moon, and planets. This knowledge helped them to create their calendar.
Some Interesting Facts about Chichén Itzá
There are 2 pyramids under the main one.
El Castillo (30 meters in height) nests within itself two smaller pyramids (20 meters and 10 meters tall). Scientists have compared El Castillo (Kukulkan’s Pyramid) to the Russian nesting dolls.
Monuments of Chichén Itzá were astronomically aligned.
The Mayans were strong believers and followers of astronomy. This is quite evident in how and why they built their monuments. At Chichén Itzá, you can see a round-shaped observatory, the El Caracol, which was specifically used to gauge the positions of planets and the sun.
Further, the most iconic landmark – the Pyramid of Kukulkan has 365 steps in total – 91 on each side and one at the top. This equals the number of days in a year. Each side represented one season and was used to figure out the best times for sowing seeds and harvesting crops. The huge pyramid, in fact, functioned as one big calendar.
Tourists were allowed to climb El Castillo before 2006.
The pyramid was banned to climbers in January 2006 when a woman tumbled to death while descending the steps. It was an unfortunate incident. The pyramid has now been roped off and can only be adored from a distance. Well, I think this is better to protect the monument and for the safety of the tourists.
The rise & fall of Chichén Itzá.
The glory of Chichén Itzá declined and the city met a mysterious end in the 14th century. The residents moved out and never come back to the city again.
Historic accounts differ as to when Chichén Itzá was built and ultimately developed into a centre of political and economic power. Some accounts place the establishment of the city in the early 400s A.D., while others suggest construction started a few years later, in the middle part of the fifth century. After a few hundred years, the Maya had left their city. They did return later.
Then about 1,000 years ago a group called the Toltecs invaded the Maya. They did not conquer the Maya. Instead, the two cultures lived together. They even began to combine parts of their religious ceremonies. The Toltecs ruled the city for about 300 years. But they left the city. No one knows why.
A little later, the Itzá invaded the city. The Itzá were invaders from a different area. The Itzá built new parts of the city. And they gave the city its name. The name “Chichén Itzá” means “mouth of the well of the Itzá”. However, the Itzá did not rule the city very long. They left Chichén Itzá after about 25 years. Again, no one knows why the Itzá left.
How to Get There?
The archaeological site of Chichén Itzá is located 2 km away from the town of Piste situated between Cancún and Merida.
Chichén Itzá is often done as a day trip from the neighbouring cities of Cancún (3 hours), Tulum (2 hours), Playa del Carmen (3 hours), Merida (1.45 hours) or the nearby colonial town of Valladolid (40 minutes).
By Bus:
Public transport is the easiest and cheapest way to get to the site. First classADO buses run daily at 0845 from Cancún to Chichén Itzá, with the travel time of 3 hours 5 minutes.
Ticket price is MXN 258 (USD 13).
If the time doesn’t work for you, another option is to first take the bus to the town of Valladolid, since there are many more departures throughout the day, and get another bus from there to Chichén Itzá, same for the return after your visit.
By Car:
Most international tourists arrive in Cancún, and the distance from Cancún to Chichén Itzá is around 197 km, with the driving time of about 2.5 hours. The drive to Chichén Itzá is very straight forward, with GPS and navigation app on your cellphone you are good to go.
Renting a car can be a great way to get around during your visit to Mexico. The vast majority of people who rent a car in Mexico find it to be an enjoyable experience that allows them to explore the area they’re visiting on their own timeline without having to wait for buses or rely on others to get them where they need to go.
You will find many car rentals at the airport as well as in the city centre of Cancún. I rented a 4-seater Volkswagen at about USD100 for 48 hours, the price includes Amendments, Theft Protection, Collision Damage Waiver, Local Taxes & Unlimited free kilometres. The gas is not cheap in Cancún, per litre is about USD 1. Make sure you also purchase an insurance, just to avoid any unnecessary hassles in case anything happen, especially in a country where you don’t speak their language. The total price I paid for my car together with the insurance was around USD 160.
Be very careful when you are driving into the hotel zone in Cancún though, there are too many traffic lights, you are very likely to overlook one and run a red light. I got pulled over by traffic police because of that, it doesn’t make sense to me that the traffic lights are so close to one another as if they are arranged in such a way to trap you. Anyway, I tried my best to explain myself and apologise for the mistake but I wasn’t given any chance but a ticket of around USD 30, if I remember well. That was the only bad experience I had during my trip.
Drivers are usually required to be at least 25 years of age in order to rent a car in Mexico. Your current driver’s license from your home country is accepted for driving in Mexico (make sure it’s still valid before your trip). You will need a credit card to make a security deposit on the vehicle.
Note: If you’re driving in Mexico with the idea of fewer traffic laws and more relaxed enforcement, you’re in for a surprise. Between unexpected road conditions and a different legal philosophy, running a red light or exceeding the speed limit could turn into the adventure you’ll share at parties for years to come. If you find yourself pulled over by Federals, remember that Mexican law is Napoleonic – you’re assumed guilty until proven innocent, and the arresting officer is your prosecutor, judge and jury. He might impound your car and put you in jail if you’re uninsured, show attitude or act suspiciously.
By Tour:
Taking an organised tour is very convenient, you can book online or from your hotel in Cancún. On the day, you will be picked up on a bus at your hotel in the morning, along with your group and then headed to Chichén Itzá, you will have a guided tour on the site.
Most tours include a visit to a nearby cenote for a quick dip either before or after visiting the archaeological site, as well as a buffet lunch somewhere along the way. Although this option is easy and convenient, but you may be squeezed into a vehicle at its maximum capacity for the hours long drive, which may be made longer as the vehicle goes around to various hotels to pick up people in the morning and drop them off at the end of the day. You’ll also arrive at Chichén Itzá at the time when it’s the most crowded.
So, think about which option suits you best.
You may check out chichenitza.com if you are looking for organised tours to visit the archaeological site.
“ A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. ”
– Marcus Garvey
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Chichén Itzá is early in the morning when the crowds are sparse. Tour buses start to arrive late morning to midday. Sundays are very crowded because the entrance is free for the local people.
During the year, winter season is the best time to visit Chichén Itzá because of pleasant temperatures. The shoulder months of November to March are also good because of fewer tourists. The temperatures are not that bad. And you can get some good deals on accommodation.
The Opening Hours & Ticket
Chichén Itzá opens daily from 0800 – 1700.
As of 2019, the government of Yucatán increased the cost to enter the archaeological zone from MXN 242 (USD 12) to MXN 533 (USD 27) for foreign tourists, it’s more than double.
Free admission on Sundays for Mexican citizens and foreigners with residence in Mexico, ID is required.
Cenote Ik-Kil
After spending a few hours at Chichén Itzá, exposing under the hot sun, it’s really nice to take a dip & cool yourself at arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico.
Cenote Ik-Kil is located at a close distance to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, on the highway to Valladolid, it is only about 5 minutes by car.
The walls of Cenote Ik-Kil are covered with green leafs and vines hanging down over 20 meters from the top of the cenote, giving it the dramatic look.
In order to reach the water you have to walk 26 meters down the stairs. The fresh water is 40 meters deep while its diameter is 60 meters.
Compared to other cenotes found in Mexico, Ik-Kil has many facilities for visitors such as lockers, shower and a restaurant on site, there are even cottages within walking distance where one can spend a few relaxing days.
Opening Hours:0900 – 1700
Admission Fee:MXN 70(USD 4) for adults, MXN 35 (USD 1.80) for children. You can also buy a package at MXN 150 (USD 7.50), including a general admission with a life jacket and a locker.
Looking for some adrenaline rush? You can jump into the water from the 2 jumping platforms slightly different in height, 3 meters and 6 meters.
It’s so much FUN!!!
Where to Stay?
The beautiful beach in Cancún & the turquoise Caribbean Sea!
You can book your accommodation in Cancún and make a day trip to Chichén Itzá and Cenote Ik-Kil.
Or you can also book 1-2 nights around Chichén Itzá or at the laid-back city of Valladolid, where it is located in an area rich with cenotes that you can enjoy.
Check in booking.com and AirBnB, there are plenty of accommodation choices from affordable to luxury.
In Cancún, you should consider booking your accommodation in Hotel Zone, where you will get direct access to the beach, with restaurants and bars nearby. Enjoy the nightlife in Cancún and meet new friends!
It was a short trip for me but definitely a rich one, discovering the culture and history of the Mayans.
I hope you enjoy reading. If you have been to Cancún and Chichén Itzá, do share with me the interesting places or things you have done.
Nestled at the northernmost edge of the Arizona desert, Page is the gateway town to some of the most extraordinary attractions in the great Southwest. Still one of the best kept secrets, Page is a base camp of your adventures to Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon, river rafting down the Colorado River,Lake Powell and over ten other famous national and state parks. This locally appreciated town is starting to appear on the international map, and for good reason.
This small town was established in 1957 as a temporary work camp for builders of the Glen Canyon Dam’s construction. When the dam was completed in the 1960s, the people stayed. Page has then grown steadily to today’s population of over 7,000.
Antelope Canyon
Before visiting Antelope Canyon, I have seen a lot of pictures and videos about the place, I was mesmerised by it. The beauty of this slot canyon with the sharp colours, the shapes & the lines is absolutely a work of art, so unreal. It was in my bucket list ever since.
(A slot canyon is a long, narrow, deep and tortuous channel or drainageway with sheer rock walls that are typically eroded into either sandstone or other sedimentary rock.)
Antelope Canyon, located near Page, Arizona is home to one of nature’s most wondrous creations – the slot canyon. Carved from the red sandstone for millennia by seasonal flood rains and wind, the canyons are narrow passageways that lead several hundred feet away from the mouth.
It is a photographer’s dream, the canyon is known for its wave-like structure and the light beams that shine directly down into the openings of the canyon, creating a supernatural appearance.
Guided tours are required for visiting Antelope Canyon. There are several authorised tour operators to choose from who will not only bring you to the canyon, but also give you a breadth of information about the history, geology, and culture of the Antelope Canyon area.
Photographers will enjoy snapping photos, but the famous light beams are not always visible. The narrow canyon walls at the top are what helps create the light beams when the sun is at the right angle. Beams occur most often during the summer, between 1030 – 1300, with the best views between late March and early October.
There are two parts of Antelope Canyon where you can visit, the Upper and the Lower.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon is the most accessible part of Antelope Canyon and the more popular of the two slot canyons. Often when people talk about Antelope Canyon or pictures you have seen, they are usually the upper one.
The magical light beams at Upper Antelope Canyon!
The light beams, falling sands, and very high canyon walls make it so magical and extremely photogenic.
Upper Antelope Canyon is wider at the bottom, and is only a short and easy walk; unlike Lower Antelope Canyon with stairs and ladders, and more narrow.
Because of the narrow canyon top and wide bottom, with these high, narrow walls make the upper canyon darker and cooler.
Since taking the tour is the only way of visiting this magnificent slot canyon, with social media nowadays it has become extremely popular, and tour often sells out months in advance. You are best to make advance reservations as soon as you know the dates you will be in the area, to avoid disappointment.
You can book this tour by itself, or in a combo with Lower Antelope Canyon or Antelope Canyon by Boat for a more efficient visit. For general tours, tripods, monopods, selfie-sticks & backpacks are NOTallowed. Unless you book a photography tour, which is more expensive.
No matter which canyon you choose, you are in for an unforgettable experience!
Lower Antelope Canyon
In the contrary to the Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon has a wide canyon top and narrow bottom, therefore it is brighter and warmer.
Lower Antelope Canyon is an excellent section of the canyon. The tours travel in one direction, making it slightly easier to get photographs of the canyon with less people in it.
There are stairs, ladders, and narrow sections, you are going to get some great shots with it. Most importantly, you will have fun squeezing through the narrow passageways and climbing the ladders, it feels more adventurous.
Best Time to Visit
If you are looking to take photos of the sun beaming into the canyon, book a tour with the tour groups in Upper Antelope Canyon around 1030 to 1300 for the months of March to October. To get extra time in the canyon, book a tour with a photography group – there may be an extra fee to book this type of tour.
If you want to do a little hiking and want a little more seclusion, book a tour for the Lower Antelope Canyon area. It is less busy compared to the Upper Antelope Canyon.
If you want less tourists visit during the non-peak months of November to March.
Tour Operators
Below are some tour operators in Page where you can book your tour before visiting Antelope Canyon:
KEN’S TOURS Lower Antelope Canyon is a global destination for photographers and adventure seekers. We offer tours throughout the entire Lower Antelope Slot Canyon.
ANTELOPE SLOT CANYON TOURS Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie is located in Page Arizona, right next to the great Lake Powell, and in the centre of the Grand Circle. Navajo-owned and operated. You’ll enjoy our personal tour of the breathless Antelope Canyon and other spectacular adventures! A special highlight of the tour, will be the authentic beauty of Native American flute music resonating throughout Antelope Canyon. Hear the wonderful Native American stories associated with Antelope Canyon by Navajo Tour Guides. Come, visit, and personally experience the mystical canyons.
ANTELOPE CANYON NAVAJO TOURS Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours operates on land owned by the Begay family, longstanding members of the Navajo Nation and community. As a part of this family, Dalvin Etsitty has been providing tours of this sacred Navajo site for over 20 years, allowing people from all over the world to visit and enjoy its beauty. Dalvin enjoys meeting people from different cultures and walks of life and introducing them to the Navajo way of life.
ANTELOPE CANYON TOURS Antelope Canyon Tours is a customer service oriented business that specialising in slot canyon tours around Page, Arizona / Lake Powell Area. Antelope Canyon Tours is a Navajo owned and operated, providing guided tours from Page, Arizona.
ADVENTUROUS ANTELOPE CANYON PHOTO TOUR Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo tours (AACPT) provides quality guided tours, sightseeing tours and photographic tours into slot canyons that are within the Antelope wash basin, located just on the outskirts of Page, Arizona. The slot canyons reside within the Navajo Nation tribal reservation – Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. AACPT operates into 4 slot canyons: the Upper Antelope Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, Owl Canyon and Mountain Sheep Canyon.
Even though the beauty of Antelope Canyon is mind-blowing and it’s definitely a place you have to visit, but do expect large crowds of people, especially during midday in the peak months. What you often see in the pictures are either nobody or just the visitors themselves with the canyon. The truth is, there are many other visitors who are behind the scenes. The tour groups get ushered through the canyon rather quickly, making it feel like a rushed experience.
Horseshoe Bend
Being one of the most photographed spots in all of Arizona. Horseshoe Bend is a definite “Bucket List” must see! It is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River, located in the town of Page, Arizona. The hike is about less than 1 km one way to the overlook from the carpark, about 20 minutes walk. The trail is wide and accessible to wheelchairs, a very pleasant & easy short walk to one of the most beautiful natural wonders.
Horseshoe Bend at its best before sunrise!
The overlook is about 305 meters high, looking down onto the Colorado River. In 2018, a fenced overlook area was created for viewing safety. However, visitors who want to venture away from the fenced partition are asked to exercise caution; the sandstone edges of the terrain can be unstable causing slides or breaks underfoot.
Horseshoe Bend itself, and that part of the Colorado River, are a part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. About 15 km downstream is where Grand Canyon National Park begins.
Horseshoe Bend is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The busiest times of the day are between 0900 to 1100 in the morning and 1630 to 1830 in the evening. Overnight parking or camping is not allowed.
Entrance fees are based on the passenger capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers. For motorcycle, it is USD 5, for car or RV, it is USD 10.
PLEASE NOTE: On Holidays and busy weekends, the City of Page may require all visitors to use a shuttle to visit once the parking lot is full. Check with them if you plan to visit during busy times.
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
Although Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are the reasons you travel to Page, but Glen Canyon Dam Overlook is just as astonishing, it is just a 5-minute drive from Page.
From the car park, it is an easy 10 minutes scenic walk to the overlook. From there you will get spectacular views of both Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado River.
The Glen Canyon Dam intercepts the Colorado River at a height of 216 meters and a length of 475 meters and is the only source of water for southwest United States! The dam adds to the city’s popular recreational pulse and is responsible for providing water and electricity.
“ I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful — an endless prospect of magic and wonder. ”
– Ansel Adams
How to Get There?
Most people usually travel to Page from Las Vegas, Flagstaff or Phoenix. Geographically, it makes sense for travellers combining their visit of Las Vegas & Grand Canyon National Park to Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon.
The map of Page with the nearby attractions!
By Flight:
Contour Airlines provides direct flights from Phoenix International Airport (PHX) to Page Municipal Airport (PGA). Travel from anywhere in the world via American Airlines to Phoenix International Airport and seamlessly connect with Contour Airlines. Once you arrive at Page, you can rent a car or join tours to visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and other national parks & monuments.
By Car:
If you are in Las Vegas, the distance to Page is around 438 km with the driving time of about 5 hours, the road is pretty straight forward all the way. Just so you know, this drive will be crossing 3 states, from Nevada to Utah and then Arizona.
If you are driving from Flagstaff, the distance to Page is around 208 km with the driving time of about 2 hours, you will be heading north all the way on Highway 89.
By Tour:
Alternately, you can also take a tour to Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend from Vegas or Flagstaff. This is always a convenient option, having a guide to tell you everything you need to know during the journey while you are seated comfortably in the vehicle. The only downside of it would be lacking of flexibility while visiting, and you also have less time to truly enjoy the magnificent views.
Where to Stay?
There are plenty of accommodation choices available in the small town of Page, ranging from affordable inns to big hotel chains like Marriott, Hyatt, Best Western and Holiday Inn.
You can check booking.com for more options, and if you prefer homestay, AirBnB is always a great choice.
