Rainbow Bridge, Utah

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Rainbow bridge in Utah, is the one of the world’s largest natural bridge, formed by the River colorado. We took a cruise boat from Page, AZ to reach this place, which took us 3 hours to get there. The best part of the 3 hours is the changing landscapes one gets to see, while transitioning from Arizona to Utah. Lake Powell gradually merges into the river Colorado, once you reach the Rainbow Bridge.

One gets to uncover surreal colors against the beautiful hues of blue and green waters of lake powell cruising through narrow deep red and white canyons sculpted by wind and water during broad daylight that transform them into deeper exotic colors as sunset approaches.

You can see from the pictures, how gorgeous the water looks amidst the uninhabited narrow cave like structures.

The hike to Rainbow bridge is about one and a half mile long, with the difficulty level being beginner.

We spotted exotic colored chameleons, against the rust colored rocks and the bridge at the backdrop, making it an ideal paradise for photographers.

Legend has it, that it is bad omen to cross the bridge, as per the native red Indians, so as a mark of respect, people do not usually defy their beliefs.

After spending about 2 hours here, we got back onto our boat, to uncover the beautiful sunset on the rocks, glistening golden green waters and giant friendly fish!

Grand Canyon

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Grand Canyon is a marvel and is truly enormous in terms of extravagance.

We visited the South rim, which has 2 parts: One part is offered through guided buses, which operate on routes where you cannot drive your vehicle. The other side, is where you can self-drive and stop at scenic spots to uncover amazing views.

There are several hiking trails in Grand Canyon too, which can be undertaken for to explore this place on the foot. One can also encounter wild coyotes and other animals at times.

The top of the rim offers spectacular views at sunrise and sunset and you can hike down to the bottom where the Colorado river flows. There are helicopter tours available too, that take you from the top right to the bottom, however I would not recommend that simply because I believe in exploring at my own pace and discover different views and scenic spots to experiment with photography.

The West rim has a sky-walk, which is adventurous enough for the daredevils out there 🙂 It is similar to the Skywalk built on Sears Willis tower sky deck in Chicago, which I absolutely adored! Getting on the sky-walk although is a bit of a pricey affair, but it is once in a lifetime thing, if you haven’t experienced the one in Chicago.

If you stay at a decent drive-able distance from Grand Canyon, pull out your trekking gear and plan short trips over the weekend. At least that’s what we do, staying only 3.5 hours drive away!

Antelope Canyon

My delight in visiting this place is so manifold that I hardly know how to begin to describe it all.

Antelope Canyons  are the most picturesque and prismatic of all canyons, exhibiting the most exquisite colors.

Antelope is located in Navajo land and is one of the most popular slot canyons. The Upper Antelope and the Lower Antelope are located on either side of the US 98 highway, owned by separate families who provide guided tour.

Both the canyons are prone to flash floods with very little prior warning, but the canyons are usually shut for a few months when Page receives even a little bit of rain to avoid running the risk of getting stuck between the slots.

The Lower Antelope is a bit more arduous to hike through, as you have to walk down a flight of steep steps as you navigate through, especially when it gets narrower in spots.

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The Upper Antelope on the other hand does not amount in any laborious hiking, as it is entirely at the ground level and requires no climbing.

The sun beams and stunning colors are best viewed between the months of April and September, at various times of the day.

I would recommend visiting these anytime between 9am to 1pm, in order to get stunning pictures. It can get pretty crowded in the summer months, which can be a bit irksome, so you will have to know your exact settings on the camera. Most of the times I used: ISO 400 – 800, F8 and really low shutter speeds in areas that were darker. Experiment with various exposures at the slots that are a bit darker and a bit too bright, to be able to capture darker colors with stunning contrasts.

The guides are very friendly and will help you with the settings and even take the pictures for you if needed ! The tours range from $20 to $80, and is worth every dime spent.

Horse-Shoe Bend, Page

This is probably one of the best sights to uncover during early morning and afternoon. It is a horse-shoe shaped meander, formed by the Colorado river. This is on the US- Route 89, a very easy to miss sign. The hike is almost a mile to reach the edge of the viewing point. Watch out for colorful chameleons, snakes and venomous scorpions. A good hiking shoe and plenty of water is must to hike upon this trail.

You can also get to the bottom of this, by taking boat rides at lake Powell, which is equally splendid, however it is rather difficult to ascertain the horse-shoe shape of the meander thus formed.

A Colorful “PAGE”

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One of the most scenic places on earth, sparsely inhabited and a rather popular tourist hub.

We have driven to Page a few times, from Phoenix and Flagstaff, only to uncover hidden and untouched beauty at every nook and corner of this small place. The drive itself, is very pretty, with changing and colorful landscapes. As you approach Page, the mountains and rocks appear orangish/red when illuminated by the sun’s rays. The deeper hues are visible during mid-day, making it look only more breathtaking.

There are plenty of things to do in this small city, from Trekking, Boating, Sight-seeing and of-course ample Photography.

Page has a relatively cooler climate than any other city in Arizona, since it is at an elevation. However, it does get arid and hot sometimes.

This place is best visited between the months of April and September, when the sun’s rays are at an optimum angle for viewing and taking the best photographs.

Watch out for my posts on various touristy things-to-do in Page.