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The Beautiful Lands of the Navajo IndiansHowever if its the Navajo people that you want to take pictures of they will happily comply, but you will have to give them a tip for their troubles. The Navajo Tribal capital is at Window Rock on Highway 264 just south of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. you can stay here and take a look at the Navajo Museum and Library and learn about these fascinating people.
To reach Monument Valley drive west on Highway 264 and then take Highway 160 into Kayenta. Take your pick of accommodation here as it is plentiful and have a hearty cajun meal in one of the local restaurants because tomorrow you are in for a real treat. Follow the signs out of Kayenta and drive the scenic Highway 163 (if you have ever seen the MTV adverts on television you will instantly recognize this road) into Monument Valley
You can self drive the unpaved road around the valley to various viewpoints in your own car, but many areas are only reachable if you take the guided tour. I took these pictures on the tour in the back of a jeep with a very helpful Navajo guide who spoke perfect english.
You can also take a ride around one of the massive mesas on horseback.
Navajo Rugs... If you do take the guided tour about half way through you will be given the chance to see a Navajo Rug being made in a traditional hogan. Photographs are allowed to be taken but you will have to pay a tip otherwise no pictures. Navajo rugs require many months of hard work with many family members playing their part and are usually made using a simple stand up loom. Genuine Navajo Rugs vary in price depending on size and quality but you can pay thousands of dollars for a very good one. So ended a fantastic day out at Monument Valley with the Navajo Indians, you do not have to take the guided tour but I strongly recommend that you do. My Navajo guides name was Wilmot if you are lucky enough to have him on your tour, please say hello for me
and ask him about dreamcatchers.
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