Private White Pocket Vermilion Tour

Posted By : 581ernieh
Warning: this review is long but it truly reflected our wonderful experience to White Pocket on October 9-10, 2023 with Yermo of Seeking Treasure Adventures…

While planning for the annular solar eclipse (October 14) trip from San Diego to Monument Valley, my wife and I decided to take two-week time so we could explore a few National Parks and State Parks that we had not been to (e.g. North Rim of Grand Canyon and…). Then I learned this extra-ordinary beautiful and unique landscape place called White Pocket is along the way. I immediately decided that we must go to this place. Since I love to take nightscape images including the Milky Way, we decided to do an overnight trip. We found several tours based in Kanab that offer an overnight camping trip to White Pocket. However, most of them require a minimum number in a given group; otherwise the price would be too high for our budget. Since we are both in the 70s, we preferred to have a private tour just two of us, to go with our own pace not to slow down others in the group and we found Seeking Treasure Adventures. I called and spoke to the principal Yermo explaining what we would like to accomplish for this trip. He was extremely responsive to all our questions as to where to meet, how we would spend the time etc. He even replied to our inquiries while he and his wife were on vacation in Paris. He was extremely considerate to factor in where we would be before and after visiting White Pocket, so he could recommend the best and safest place to park our Revel 4x4 to minimize the driving. He was also flexible when we changed the date to one day earlier.

As well published, the trip to White Pocket is extremely rough with lots deep sand and a 4x4 is highly recommended. Yermo is an extremely skillful driver, knows how to maneuver the challenging road conditions. While he was driving, he pleasantly engaged in our conversations, listened and learned what’s our liking and concerns. He learned we also love wildlife photography. While driving, he spotted a rattle snake on the road, so he immediately stopped and guided us closely and safely so we can observe the beauty of this creature. Upon arriving, the set up the tent and had plenty time for us to explore the entire White Pocket. He learned I had a heart surgery a year ago, so he helped me carry my photography equipment like tripods, camera bags, cameras and low level lighting etc. He knows the entire areas so well so he recommended us where are the best spots for certain compositions. We spent lots time during the golden hour capturing so many interesting and amazing landscape images. The trip from the place where we would shoot the Milky Way nightscape (and reflection in a pond) down to our tent site was extremely rough, so he returned to the tent site to bring our warm clothes and some snacks for us. He was extremely patient waiting for me to shoot to my satisfaction before we called a night down to our tent site.

Next morning, he woke up early preparing hot coffee and light breakfast like muffins etc. for us before accompanying us back to shoot during the morning golden hour. We spent several more hours shooting Sunrises over various landscapes and reflection of landscapes. We loved this overnight trip since we could do late afternoon and early morning hours with the best light available for this very unique landscapes (comparing the a day trip when you can only shoot during the day time when the lighting are not the best).

On the returning trip, our conversation led to our experience of total solar eclipse in 2017 to Painted Hills, Oregon, he then took extra time to show us around Paria Townsite, Utah, some landscape similar to the Painted Hills. This is to show you how he cares his clients and will make his best efforts to make your trip truly enjoyable. I must say this was our best experience of having a “private tour”.

Ernie and Su Huang
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Posted On : 2023-10-31 23:56:54

Posted By : miae_a
We had a great time on this tour! Yermo was the best guide- so knowledgeable and knows the best routes. We can’t wait to come back!
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Posted On : 2023-10-08 18:46:21

Posted By : Iana_M
We, a family of four (with kids 12 and 24) were coming through Page area where we’ve been few times already, and wanted to try something new and also have a family adventure. This trip covered both - Oh, boy, what an unforgettable experience!! Our guide, Brand, was extremely knowledgeable, properly equipped, and easy to chat with. The road to / from the white pocket is an adventure on its own. Not only you need a 4x4 vehicle, you also need someone who knows how and where to drive, and Brand managed to professionally complete all of this just perfectly and in time to fit our busy schedule (thank you, Brand!). White pocket place is magnificent and exceeded all our expectations. It felt unreal, with all shades of white, grey and terracotta, and the curves you can see in stone. I felt like the Universe just smiled and played with colors and shapes, to leave us people wonder how this spot came to life :) You can also feel absolute solitude and peace, as the spot is not very crowded (I would recommend going as early as possible if you want to have a place to yourself, check with the agency/Brand for options). Overall, great family experience! My almost-teenage daughter is hard to please, and she was ecstatic about the experience. Note - if you’re sensitive to bumpy roads, I would advise to take dramamine before the trip.
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Posted On : 2023-08-03 11:36:12

Posted By : erickc96
We were very fortunate to have Brand Joseph as our tour guide. The first day we hiked White Pocked Vermilion; and on the second day we customized a tour to take in magnificent views from the rims; giving us a an amazing perspective of the canyons below. The views from Paria Plateau are breathtaking. Brand is not only an exceptional tour guide, but he is knowledgeable and kind, funny,
with wonderful conversation, a great human being, and mainly very passionate about the land he lives in. Thanks Brand for incredible memories!
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Posted On : 2023-06-11 20:47:44

Posted By : bebrsp
Exploring White Pocket in the Vermillion Cliffs with Yermo was awesome!

Yermo is an amazing, exceptional guide.

He knows every view and every detail in the Vermillion Cliffs.
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Posted On : 2023-06-06 04:04:46

Posted By : lqchen2019
White Pocket and Vermilion Cliff trip, with tour company Seeking Treasure Adventures, was by far the best part of our 5 day vacation in the Page area. The scenery is so unique and beautiful, probably hard to find anything close elsewhere in this world.

I heard the bad road conditions before the trip, but did not realize that bad. It was a long and rough driving to get there, but absolutely worth it. Our guide Brand was great. He drove us through the sand pockets and a stream with no issue. He is very knowledgeable about the area. We learned a lot about interesting geography facts. Finally, his life experience was really amazing. His talks made our trip exceptionally special.

I would highly recommend While Pocket and this tour company, if you plan to visit the area, and want to avoid the risk of driving through the difficult roads.
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Posted On : 2023-05-07 00:16:54

Posted By : lesliehX9765EX
Exploring White Pocket and a slot canyon in the Vermillion Cliffs with Yermo was awesome! Yermo is an amazing, exceptional guide and a superb off-road driver. He knows every turn, every view and every detail in the Vermillion Cliffs. Fabulous way to get the most of a hiking adventure.
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Posted On : 2023-04-16 13:17:02

Posted By : peerster
Brand was one of the best guides I have ever had, above and beyond all others, making our day very special and enjoyable. This was the best day of our vacation, in large part to Brand being such an exceptional guide and also White Pocket is truly a magical playground that does not seem to belong on earth, not to be missed. I can not wait to go with Brand on another adventure.
Logistics were great, the communication, driving, car. But what made it special was the degree of customization. Brand picked up on our abilities and desires (he is very attentive and intuitive), he knows the area better than the back of his hand and adapted the trip as I showed more ability than expected. He managed to design the trip so we barely saw a soul all day, he took us to amazing vantage points, sent the girls off to climb amazing rock formations and ran to help them when needed. He was everywhere, helping everyone (taking great pictures) and sharing the unique and amazing place with us in a way we would have never experienced on our own (even if we can manage the expert off-road driving that was required). The day was relaxed and Brand did not rush us, making sure we enjoyed everything to the fullest extend. He enriched our day with his explanations and his fun personality.
This is why you should do the tour with Seeking Treasure Adventures. Of course there are no words in the English language to explain how unique, beautiful and breathtaking White Pocket is. I have travelled the world and White Pocket is a truly unique and magical place. Not to be missed. It's like you entered another enchanting world, how Salvador Dali would draw a blend of the desert on a moonscape. The rocks and colors were out of this world and the place had a playground feel to it. We had a truly wonderful day and 5 stars does not come close to how highly I wish to review this tour. The place and Brand were so above and beyond 5 stars does not do neither justice.
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Posted On : 2022-12-26 17:54:26

Posted By : Travelfan101520
Booked three tours with Seeking Treasure Adventures and couldn't have asked for a better three days of touring. Brand our guide was very knowledgable of the area. That knowledge was great every day but came in handy when we had an illness in our group and couldn't do Buckskin. He instead took us on a different adventure showing us some amazing views! We felt safe and well taken care of the entire time and appreciated the historical information of the area he shared. As experienced travelers we also appreciated him taking different routes to places to avoid crowds. We felt he went above and beyond and was really focused on ensuring we got the most of our time. An added bonus was he took our pictures and air dropped them to us. If back in the area would book with the company again and ask for Brand.
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Posted On : 2022-11-29 18:21:15

Posted By : SVSBLR
As avid hikers who have hit trails on six continents, we’ve utilized a wide range of tour companies, and Seeking Treasure Adventures ranks among the highest in quality. Our experience was exceptional, start to finish. We originally booked White Pocket, but owner Yermo was helpful in accommodating an itinerary change when we also secured a permit for South Coyote Buttes, weeks later. When we arrived in Page, there was good follow-through in messaging us about our meeting point, timing, and contact details, and all rolled absolutely seamlessly on the tour. Our guide, Brand, made the entire day shine — he’s exceedingly knowledgeable, prepared, friendly, and astute, taking the client’s skill level and wishes into full account. He and others at Seeking Treasure also serve as the backups to the local search-and-rescue crew, so you could not ask for a more equipped and experienced team. Brand showed us everything from the most popular vantages to those that were more obscure but even more exciting and beautiful in perspective. He is also a highly capable driver in the route’s deep sands, and the vehicle was comfortable and sturdy. Having a private guide is always an immensely preferable option, and Seeking Treasure Adventures ensures a personalized tour that will help you find the treasure you seek — simply outstanding!
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Posted On : 2022-07-17 16:24:19