Monument Valley: Navajo Backcountry Tour & Flute Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (1,726 reviews) 93% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration3h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Explore Monument Valley’s movie sites, hidden arches, Navajo songs and stories

You’ll travel deep into Monument Valley with a Navajo guide, walk beneath towering spires and arches, listen to live flute music echoing off red stone, and hear stories that stick with you long after you leave. Includes bottled water and moments you won’t find on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Monument Valley landmarks

Visit East and West Mitten Buttes
See John Fords Point
View Three Sisters Spires
Explore Rain God Mesa
Stop at Big Chief Monument
Visit Susie Yazzie's Hogan
Explore Big Hogan Amphitheater
Relax at Suns Eye Arch
Visit Ear of the Wind Arch
See Echo Cave Ruins
View Totem Pole and YeiBiChei Spires
End at Artists Point

The Experience

We rolled into Monument Valley just after lunch — the red dust already clinging to my shoes. Our Navajo guide, Thomas, met us with a quiet nod and a smile that felt like he’d seen every kind of traveler before. The first stop was East Mitten Butte; honestly, I’d seen it in photos but standing there, the way the sun hit those layers of rock made everything feel sharper. Thomas pointed at the horizon where John Wayne once rode through for some old western — I can’t remember which one now, but he did his best cowboy impression and had us all laughing.

The drive between spots was bumpy (don’t wear white), but you get these wild views — spires like the Three Sisters poking out of nowhere. At Big Hogan Amphitheater, we sat in the shade while Thomas pulled out his flute. The sound echoed off the sandstone in a way that made everyone go silent for a minute. There was this faint smell of sagebrush in the air. I tried to take a photo but it didn’t catch half of what it felt like sitting there listening.

Later we visited Susie Yazzie’s hogan — she wasn’t there that day, but Thomas told stories about her weaving and how families used to gather here when storms rolled over Rain God Mesa. We climbed up to Sun’s Eye Arch (not as hard as it looks) and peered through to see the valley stretch out forever. By then my shoes were full of sand and honestly I didn’t care. It felt good just to sit on warm rock and let your mind wander for a bit.

I still think about that moment under Ear of the Wind Arch — wind whistling through while Thomas sang something soft in Navajo. It wasn’t dramatic or anything, just… peaceful. If you’re thinking about a day trip from Kayenta or even from farther out, this Monument Valley tour with a local guide is worth every dusty mile.

What’s included

Your experience includes guided transport through Monument Valley Tribal Park with a local Navajo guide who shares stories along the way.
live entertainment such as Native American flute music or ceremonial singing.
plus bottled water so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own on those dusty trails.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Monument Valley Safari, LLC