Itinerary Details
Day 1 Denver, Colorado
Hotel: Grand Hyatt
Adventure awaits as you explore the towering peaks and rolling meadows of Colorado. As travelers' arrival times vary greatly, we have no group activities planned during the day. This tour (which features 3 national parks) opens in the “Mile High City” of Denver where you will gather for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.(D)
Day 2 Denver - Rocky Mountain National Park - Denver
Hotel: Grand Hyatt
Travel through Estes Park, a mountain resort town and home of the Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Your adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park starts on the Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved, continuous highway in North America. It’s a drive that should be on everybody’s bucket list. At Rainbow Curve, marvel at the majestic mountains that stand in contrast to deep, rugged canyons. Later, return to Denver for a free evening in this dynamic city.(B)
Day 3 Denver - Colorado National Monument - Grand Junction
Hotel: SpringHill Suites Downtown
The spectacular Rocky Mountains are your traveling companion. Make a scenic drive from Denver to Grand Junction, passing through some of Colorado’s famous ski resorts. This journey also takes you to one of the grand landscapes of the American West, Colorado National Monument. Continue along the monument's historic Rim Rock Drive to see a colorful panorama of deep, sheer-sided canyons and high rock towers. Settle into Grand Junction for an evening at leisure.(B)
Day 4 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Grand Junction
Hotel: SpringHill Suites Downtown
Today, venture to another amazing national park, Colorado’s own “Grand Canyon!" Marvel at the steep-walled gorge and dramatic views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park while traveling along its South Rim. Pause at one of the scenic viewpoints to soak in this stunning wilderness of rock, water, and sky. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking some of the steepest and oldest rock walls in North America, carved over 2 million years by the Gunnison River. Perhaps you’ll even spot a peregrine falcon. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Immerse yourself in the stories of the American West during a tour of the Museum of the Mountain West, a preserved and re-created pioneer town that captures life as it was over a century ago -OR- visit a small-scale hop farm where you learn about Colorado grown hops and taste local beers made from their hops. Gather for dinner at a favorite local hangout in Grand Junction, a town that attracts outdoorsmen, foodies, and all manner of free spirits.(B, L, D)
Day 5 Grand Junction - Silverton - Durango
Hotel: Strater Hotel
Head south to Silverton, a former silver mining town and now a National Historic Landmark. Hidden high in the San Juan Mountains, this town blends spectacular scenery, Victorian charm, and historic architecture. Then, it's “all aboard” the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This 1881 coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive made its name hauling silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains, but you will soon realize it is the view that is its most precious asset. Tonight, enjoy leisure time in the quaint downtown of Durango.(B)
Day 6 Durango - Mesa Verde National Park - Durango
Hotel: Strater Hotel
An incredible day awaits in Mesa Verde National Park (UNESCO), home of the ancient Ancestral Puebloan civilization. Join a local guide on a drive through the park, making several photo stops, including views of the famous Spruce Tree House, one of Mesa Verde’s best-preserved cliff dwellings, and Cliff Palace, the largest in the park. This evening, experience a farm-to-table dinner on a family-owned ranch surrounded by red mountain peaks and lush green pastures.(B, D)
Day 7 Durango - Colorado Springs
Hotel: SpringHill Suites Downtown
Sit back and relax during a scenic ride to Colorado Springs. En route, marvel at the landscape as you make your way from the San Juan National Forest and across Wolf Creek Pass, a section of the Continental Divide that would take pioneers 2 to 3 weeks to cross. Continue on through the Rio Grande National Forest, a vast expanse of wilderness named for the 1800 miles of Rio Grande River that cuts through the forest. Your day concludes with a free evening in Colorado Springs, an artistic and cultural hub.(B)
Day 8 Colorado Springs - Pikes Peak - Colorado Springs
Hotel: SpringHill Suites Downtown
Depart for Manitou Springs, home of Pikes Peak, the legendary symbol of the 1859 Gold Rush. Embark on a journey aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog railroad, for an 8.9-mile trip to the top of Pikes Peak. During the journey you will see magnificent views and perhaps animals in their native habitat. Later, travel to the Garden of the Gods to take in the view of towering sandstone formations that dot the landscape set in the backdrop of majestic Pikes Peak. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and celebrate your adventure.(B, D)
Day 9 Colorado Springs - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close in Colorado Springs.
Vacations by Randy
