We toured Antelope Canyon with Antelope Canyon Tours. We booked the tour the night before for the 9:30 am tour, which turned out to be a great time to go for the light. Our Navajo guide was very knowledgeable and took her time to point out how to get the best possible pictures. At one point, she even took the camera and lined up the shot for me.

Yes, it is expensive and yes, it is crowded during peak tourist season. However, 7 of us ranging in ages from 6 to 70 took the tour and found it to be beautiful and so different from everything we had seen. We have recommended it to several other people.

I took my family on Ken's tour into Lower Antelope Canyon at 9:30 in the morning, the sky was mostly sunny. Our "guide" was a young teenage boy that was mostly into listening to his I-Pod...I was very disappointed in the lack of color after seeing all the great pics of Antelope Canyon. The canyon seemed much more crowded than I expected also. I did a lot of online research prior to going and somehow was unprepared for the let down. I felt very ripped off... All I can figure is I went too early in the day for lower antelope...I've been to slots that are just as nice without the huge fees and crowds.

We used Antelope Canyon Tours, which we booked prior to our trip, to view Antelope Canyon. We were supposed to be picked up at our hotel at 11:15am, and after a bit of confusion, they were very kind and picked us up, and brought us to the canyon. The canyon was located 10-15 minutes away, brought to the canyon on an open-aired jeep vehicle on paved roads, followed by a long stretch of desert sand. We went on a fairly windy day. If you like the taste of sand in your mouth, and feelings of sand in your eyes, this is the ride for you.

When we finally did get to the canyon, we were able to walk for 45 minutes through the caves with our guided tour. There were other tour groups there as well, and the canyon was quite crowded. You do feel a bit rushed taking your pictures, but if you move along, particularly with a digital camera, (therefore, you can delete pictures you don't like later). You are able to get some great shots.
When you get to the end of the canyon, your tour guide will allow you to walk freely by yourself and explore the canyon. Even then, you have limited time.

Hold on to your hat!!!!!!! Literally, as they do fall off, as I experienced, as my hat blew away. If anyone comes across a green Corona hat with pink lettering, please let me know :)
Overall, the trip was absolutely amazing and an adventure well worth the time and money.

Camera Tips: No flash, when you use it, pictures can come out blurry or with spots. They recommend you don't use it.
There is a fine sand in the air as you walk through the canyon. Be careful that your lens does not get ruined.

We went on Chief Tsosie's company tour, our guide was a young Navajo who was very well travelled (he played a piece on flute entitled "Berlin" in tribute to the city)

The canyon was further away from the highway entrance than I expected, even by 4x4, must have taken about 10 minutes.

The canyon itself is beautiful, and I can see it's attraction for photographers. For non-photographers, well, our guide helped with camera settings etc. You can also just copy what serious photographers are pointing at! Taking into account both those things, I got some nice pics!

Bear in mind the cost of the tour does NOT include costs of the Navajo permit!