Itinerary
- Day 1
Denver
You'll land in Denver and have the afternoon to settle in after traveling. Whether you rest at your hotel or wander around the Mile High City on your own, it's up to you. This evening, meet your Travel Director and the rest of your group for a welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers
Optional Activities
- Explore Denver at leisure
- Day 2
Denver to Boulder
Head out early toward Rocky Mountain National Park and drive Trail Ridge Road, which sits at over 12,000 feet and gives you sweeping views of the Rockies. You'll grab lunch on your own in Estes Park, a small town right at the park's entrance with plenty of options. Later, you'll head to Boulder where the evening is free to check out the downtown area or relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along Trail Ridge Road (seasonal) in Rocky Mountain National Park
Optional Activities
- Explore Boulder
Landmarks/POIs Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ridge Road Estes Park - Day 3
Boulder to Glenwood Springs
Start with a guided tour of an urban farm where you'll learn about regenerative agriculture and how they grow food sustainably. After that, you'll walk the cobblestone streets of Vail before heading to Glenwood Springs. You're staying at the historic Hotel Colorado from 1893, which once hosted Teddy Roosevelt and other famous guests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at local urban community farm (1-hour tour covering regenerative agriculture, land conservation, and food access)
- Walk through Vail Mountain Resort
Landmarks/POIs Vail Mountain Resort Glenwood Springs White River National Forest - Day 4
Glenwood Springs to Aspen
Drive to Aspen for a guided walk through town, then hop into a 4WD jeep heading up Snowmass Mountain with local guides explaining the geology and history of the area. You'll reach Burlingame Cabin where lunch is grilled on site with wine and beer included, plus games like horseshoes and cornhole. There's live music and a campfire with s'mores before heading back to Glenwood Springs for a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Typical mountain lunch with bonfire, s'mores, and live western entertainment)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Aspen with Travel Director
- 4WD jeep wilderness excursion up Snowmass Mountain with Local Experts
- Visit historic Burlingame Cabin
- Lunch at Burlingame Cabin with grilled food, wine, beer, campfire, live music, and s'mores
Optional Activities
- Visit Glenwood Hot Springs (world's largest mineral hot springs pool)
Landmarks/POIs Aspen Snowmass Mountain Glenwood Hot Springs - Day 5
Glenwood Springs to Palisade
Travel to Palisade and take a horse-drawn carriage through Clark Family Orchards, meeting family members and tasting fresh produce. Later, head to Colorado National Monument to drive Rim Rock Drive through red rock canyons where you might see bighorn sheep and eagles. Tonight you'll attend an exclusive dinner at Maison La Belle Vie Winery with a tour, wine tasting, and a 3-course meal overlooking the vineyard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (3-course dinner with wine pairings adjacent the 4.5-acre vineyard al fresco under the Colorado Sky at Maison La Belle Vie Winery)
Included Activities
- Connect with Locals experience at Clark Family Orchards (meet with Clark family members, horse-drawn carriage tour, learn farming family history, sample fresh in-season produce)
- Colorado National Monument visit with scenic Rim Rock Drive
- Be My Guest experience dinner at Maison La Belle Vie Winery (winery tour, estate-grown red wine tasting, 3-course dinner paired with wines)
Landmarks/POIs Clark Family Orchards Colorado National Monument Maison La Belle Vie Winery Rim Rock Drive - Day 6
Palisade to Silverton to Durango
You'll travel the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway to Ouray, a small mountain town surrounded by peaks, then continue on the Million Dollar Highway over several mountain passes with incredible views. You'll arrive in Silverton and board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, riding historic 19th-century rails through remote wilderness. Your hotel is The Strater Hotel, a Victorian landmark in this old mining town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway with stop in Ouray
- Drive along 'Million Dollar Highway' (All-American Byway)
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad journey from Silverton to Durango
Landmarks/POIs Ouray San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway Million Dollar Highway Coal Bank Summit Molas Pass Red Mountain Pass Silverton Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Day 7
Durango to Mesa Verde
Spend the day at Mesa Verde National Park exploring ancient cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloan people centuries ago. You can walk through several hundred preserved dwellings carved into the sandstone cliffs. After that, you'll have free time in Durango to explore on your own, then enjoy dinner at one of Downtown Durango's restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mesa Verde National Park visit including Cliff Palace and ancient cliff dwellings of Ancestral Puebloan people
- Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop scenic drives
Optional Activities
- Rafting experience on Animas River
Landmarks/POIs Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Palace Animas River - Day 8
Mesa Verde to Great Sand Dunes
Head to Great Sand Dunes National Park to see the tallest sand dunes in North America covering 39 square miles. You'll start at the Visitor Center for a short film and exhibits, then your Travel Director takes you to High Dune for the best photos. Afterward, you'll drive to Colorado Springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Visitor Center visit with short film and exhibits
- Visit High Dune for scenic views and photo opportunities
Landmarks/POIs Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve High Dune Sangre De Cristo Mountains - Day 9
Colorado Springs
Visit Garden of the Gods with a local guide who'll explain the dramatic red-rock formations and point out the best vistas. In the afternoon, explore the quirky town of Manitou Springs before boarding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the 14,115-foot summit. On the way up, you'll see forests, streams, and panoramic views while learning about the mountain's connection to the song 'America the Beautiful.' Finish with a celebratory dinner with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local dinner with celebration and toast with new friends)
Included Activities
- Garden of the Gods guided tour with Local Specialist
- Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center with Geo-Trekker film
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway journey to 14,115-foot summit (world's highest cog railroad)
- Local dinner celebration
Optional Activities
- Explore Manitou Springs
Landmarks/POIs Garden of the Gods Manitou Springs Pikes Peak Pikes Peak Cog Railway - Day 10
Colorado Springs to Denver
You'll say goodbye to your travel group and head to Denver International Airport for your flight home, with your transfer included and a smooth ending to your Colorado trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
