Is it worth visiting Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend?

My wife and I joined a 4-day tour in mid-May to visit the Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, among other places. The tour started in Los Angeles, with accommodations in Las Vegas on the first night. On the second day, we visited Lower Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, and Horseshoe Bend. The third day was dedicated to the Grand Canyon, followed by a return to Las Vegas for another overnight stay. On the final day, we traveled back to Los Angeles by bus. Here are some key points to note about the trip: 1. Each day’s itinerary involves staying at a different hotel, and the morning meeting times are quite early. The earliest was at 6:30 AM, and the latest was on the final day at 7:30 AM. Since the hotels change daily, you’ll need to allocate time in the morning for packing and getting ready. 2. On the first day, there are multiple meeting points to choose from. We opted for the Sheraton San Gabriel location, but this requires you to be a hotel guest. We stayed at the hotel for two nights, partly to adjust to the time difference and also because it allowed us to meet at 7:45 AM instead of 7:00 AM. If you don’t need to adjust to the time difference, you can consider meeting directly at Las Vegas Airport at 1:30 PM. For the return trip, we chose to skip the final afternoon itinerary and head straight to the airport to fly back to Los Angeles. This saved us time for rest, and the flight tickets were reasonably priced at around HKD $800-900 for two people. If you plan to take a cab from downtown Los Angeles to a nearby airport hotel in the evening, it might cost around HKD $500-600. 3. Carefully read the tour’s pricing details. The tour fee only covers the bus and three nights of hotel accommodations. Entrance fees are additional, as are optional activities like shows in Las Vegas. If you have the energy and interest, attending a show in Las Vegas is quite worthwhile since transportation is included, making it hassle-free. Regardless of your choices, make sure to prepare enough cash in advance. 4. Personally, I found Lower Antelope Canyon to be the highlight of the trip. The tour involves some steep ladders and narrow paths, so it’s not suitable for those with mobility issues. However, if you can manage, it’s highly recommended. The scenery is stunning and unique, and the local guides are professional. You can also engage in cultural exchanges to learn about the local heritage, which is far more enriching than just taking photos. 5. The Grand Canyon is worth visiting, but keep your expectations in check. Due to its vast size, the tour only stops at two points for quick visits, which is enough to fulfill the “been there” experience. 6. Depending on your preferences, you might consider spending a few days exploring Las Vegas on your own and then joining a 1-2 day tour for sightseeing. This approach offers more flexibility and might better suit your needs.