A good preparation goes a long way when it comes to hiking in the wilderness. Have a look at our tips and advice for our guided tours. Do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions. Let's make the adventure fun and memorable!

 

Weather

Weather is always an important factor with outdoor activities.

In the summer, day-time temperatures can reach as high as 110°F but generally highs are in the mid to low 90°F. Hottest time of the day is around 3pm but temperatures can drop dramatically at night. Be aware that we are in a very low humidity area (around 10%-15%). This allows for quick evaporation and it is possible to become dehydrated even before feeling thirsty. It is therefore extremely important to stay well-hydrated and to manage properly fluids intake (electrolytes are highly recommended).

Summer thunderstorms (which we call our monsoon season) generally begin on the second week of July and continue until mid to late September. It is usually clear in the morning with storms building in the afternoon. These storms can produce heavy localized rains in amounts exceeding 1 inch or more in a short span of time. Such rains can cause flash floods much further downstream than where they occurred. Narrow canyons and washes can then become extremely dangerous. Our guides are experienced with these phenomena and will lead the tours taking such risk into account.

In the winter, temperatures can range from the mid to low 50°F down to single-digit. Dressing in layers is the best way to maintain comfortable body temperature while hiking.

You can check the weather forecast before your tour on the following website: http://www.noaa.gov/wx.html

 

Terrain

Terrain can be quite varied, from relatively flat washes or arroyos to sandy hills and slickrock slopes. The vegetation ranges from ponderosa, pinion juniper forest to sagebrush and grassland and to bare rock.

 

Clothing

You should wear something that is suitable for hiking and that allows freedom of movement. Well-fitting hiking shoes are highly recommended.

In the summertime, light long sleeved shirts, along with a brimmed hat and sunglasses are ideal for sun protection. Also take sunscreen with you and make sure to apply it regularly on exposed areas of skin.

 

Children

We accept children age-appropriate to the difficulty of the hike their parents (or legal guardians) are taking. Please indicate the age of any children coming with you in the Customer Questionnaire at the end of the Booking Process. Children under 12 will get 50% off the regular price for the hike.

 

Dogs

We welcome dogs on our tours, in areas where our permits allow and subject to the approval of the guide on the specific tour. Your dog must remain under your control at all times and, in areas where stipulated, they must be leashed. You are fully liable for your dog’s behavior. You will also be responsible for carrying his/her water and for packing out his/her “Wag Bag” (their waste).

We do not charge for dogs, except for the fees stipulated by the Bureau of Land Management.

Please bear in mind that it is much hotter for our 4-legged friends closer to the ground than it is for us. Woof, Woof!!

 

Booking Process

Bookings can be made over the phone by providing us with your credit card number or directly online. All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) are accepted. 

Please make sure to read our Terms and Conditions and the Liability Waiver and Release before making your booking.

 

The booking and payment process is powered by Xola. Xola's payment processor is level 1 PCI compliant, which is the highest level of credit card security. Xola’s online checkout is also secured by Norton Securities.

 

Required Information and Forms

We request our guests to fill in the Customer Questionnaire at the end of the booking process in order to have all relevant information in advance of a tour.

Also, outdoor activities in such remote and wild lands involve some potential hazards and risks that we have to bring to our guests' attention. We ask our guests to sign the Liability Waiver and Release before the start of their tour.

 

Customer Questionnaire

The Customer Questionnaire will help us to prepare your tour in a personalized manner and with your safety in mind. Here are the details you will be asked to provide at the end of the booking process.

• Name for each guest

• Emergency Contact Name and Phone Number

• Relevant Medical Conditions/Treatments

• Accomodation (if already known)

• Specific interest for the tour or event (e.g. birthday, so that we can help to celebrate with you!)

 

Permits

To protect the world-famous geological formations of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs and to preserve the unique experience of hiking in this wilderness area, the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") has put in place a permitting system.

Below are detailed the areas subject to a permit, the conditions to obtain such permit and its cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, please check the following link: BLM Coyote Buttes Permit. Do not hesitate to call us if you have any question. 

 

If you cannot go in person to the BLM office to apply for the lottery, we can offer to apply for you but you need to call us beforehand to make the necessary arrangements. 

 

Tour Price

The price of our tours can be found on their individual pages under Tour Essentials. The price is in US dollars and per person. It includes pickup and drop-off from the agreed meeting point, off-road transportation, area geology and history presentation, guided hiking, photo advice, water, and lunch (for full-day tours). An additional 8.20% (Sales Tax) + 3% (paid to relevant US Government Agencies) + 3% (Booking Fee) will be added to the tour price when calculating the final payment due for the tour at the end of the booking process. Also, the price does not include any permit application and user fees (for Coyote Buttes) or daily user fee (for Buckskin Gulch).

 

Number of participants

Our tours are scheduled for a minimum of 2 people. If you want to book a tour as a single person, please give us a call to discuss further your options and check if a tour is already scheduled in your targeted timeframe.

 

Our tours are intended to remain small in size to give you a fully customized experience. On rare occasions we may put two parties together so please let us know in advance if you want your tour to be fully private.

 

Gratuities

Gratuities are not included in the tour price. If you feel that your guide has met or exceeded your expectations, 10% to 20% would be greatly appreciated.

 

Medical Conditions & Emergency Contact

All guests, especially those with known medical problems, shall secure medical clearance with their physician prior to booking a trip. Please notify us of any medical conditions relevant to the tour (e.g. back/knee/ankle problems or injuries, diabetes, headaches, pregnancy...) in the Customer Questionnaire at the end of the booking process. You will be asked as well to provide us with the contact details of someone that you want us to contact in the case of an emergency.

 

The tour guide will have full authority to disqualify a client at any time during the tour if he/she is physically or mentally incapable and could jeopardize him/herself or the group. There will not be any refunds under such circumstances.

 

Travel & Medical Insurance

The price of the tour does not include any travel or medical insurance. We strongly encourage you to obtain travel insurance including a cancellation policy and emergency medical care. Please be sure to consider such things as pre-existing medical conditions, valuable items and that the policy is right for you. In particular, you should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting or excluding protection for the type of activities included in your tour.

 

Tour Meeting Time and Location

Pick-up and departure times will be arranged with you after the booking. From May through September, earlier starting times are preferred for your comfort.

 

Pick-up and departure areas can be Page, AZ or Kanab, UT (or any place in-between) and will be arranged with you after the booking. The BLM Visitor Center in Big Water, UT and the BLM Paria Contact Station are preferable to optimize your tour time on the land. 

 

Tour Duration

Full-day tours range from 7 to 10 hours. 

If full-day tours go over the relevant allotted time, a rate of $25 per extra hour for the tour will be charged and will compensate directly the guide for this extra time (such extra charge may be waived by the guide at his sole discretion).

 

Food & Drinks

Water is provided on all our tours. Due to COVID restrictions, lunch is no longer provided on our tours.

 

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are non-existent. 'Leave-no-trace' etiquette will be followed and explained by your guide. 'Wag Bags' will be provided for your convenience.

 

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed in vehicles.

 

Mobile devices

Be aware that in many places, mobile devices service is non-existent. So to conserve your battery you may choose to turn your devices off. Enjoy the quietness of the remote lands and the feeling of being unplugged!

 

Vehicles

Our top-notch, high-clearance vehicles (a lifted Toyota Tacoma and a lifted Hummer 2) have been specifically enhanced for rough and deep sand roads and we take pride in maintaining them. We also make sure they are clean for our clients. We carry extra tires as well as repair equipment (such as air compressors). We carry a lot of other gear that may come handy for our excursions (e.g. extra-light agave hiking sticks, ropes,  rain clothes...).

 

Safety

Your safety is always our first priority. Nature is both very beautiful and very unforgiving. Our guides are trained and experienced with the area. They know in particular that conditions (weather, roads etc...) may change very quickly and they know how to adapt to such changes so that you can enjoy your tour. They all are first aid certified and carry SPOT locators in case of emergencies.

 

Responsible Tourism

We believe in the old adage of leaving nothing behind but footprints so that future generations can come and enjoy these beautiful landscapes. Here are some simple rules we expect you to follow when going on a hike with us:

• Treat plants and animals (the 'little people') with care and respect. They are unique (even often rare and endangered) and they are as much guests on this planet as we are.

• Rubbish is unattractive, harmful to wildlife and can increase disease. Carry out whatever you carry in!

• Walk in your guide's footsteps and keep to the track as far as possible to protect the fragile cryptobiotic soils (also called 'desert glue' as they help erosion-prone surfaces to stick together) that can take decades to recover. Don't bust the crust!

• Be considerate to other hikers who also have a right to enjoy these trails, preserve their solitude and avoid any disorderly or offensive behavior.

• Some places and trails have a spiritual and historical significance and therefore must be treated with consideration and respect.

• You may find stones, feathers, artifacts, petrified wood, etc, on your trail. Although they may appear discarded, leave them where you find them so that others may enjoy them. Bring home only nice pictures and memories! 

 

Stay in touch after your tour

We would like to stay in touch with you after your tour to exchange photos and impressions. We greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions and we will send you a follow-up email with a quick link to review your tour on TripAdvisor.

We hope to count you amongst our followers of our next adventures on Facebook, Instagram or Google+.