Tádídiin Tours is on the Pollen Path

LECHEE, Ariz.

Business was really slow in the beginning, says Jackie Tsingine, owner of Canyon X Hiking Photography Tour, the lonely company situated at Milepost 307.8 alongside Arizona State Route 98.

At times, no one stopped by.

Tsingine said she often asked herself what she got herself into and if it was all worth it.

“Next thing I knew, members of my community started coming and my family started supporting me,” she said. “Without them I couldn’t have done this.”

Now that the company is steady, Tsingine’s Diné tour guides take fewer than eight persons on a nearly two-hour trip to either Canyon X or Cardiac Canyon, both located more than a mile southwest toward the opening slot canyon section of Antelope Canyon.

Established under an off-grid canopy just 10 miles southeast of Page, Arizona, Canyon X Hiking Photography Tour by Tádídiin Tours, a family-oriented business consisting of Tsingine’s parents, Robert and Rita Tsingine, and three guides who have years of canyoneering experience, is slowly growing as a business.

“We just started our tour business in the beginning of July,” explained Rita, the company operator. “We transport our (customers) from (the business site) to the mouth of the canyon where we have guides who take them in and out.”

Every morning, Rita says, Tádídiin Tours pitches a canopy, sets up a table, and waits for customers.

When customers come, Rita presents a photo album containing photos of what they might see in the course of the tour. Those 12 years and older who take an interest pay $25. The price for 8- to 11-year-olds is $10, and those 7 and under don’t pay anything.

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