10-Day Colorado Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Colorado tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaColorado travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day Colorado Itinerary, incl. Denver and Rocky Mountains

  A 10-day sweep through Colorado's finest spots covers 13 destinations including three national parks. Multiple-night stays in Glenwood Springs and Durango allow for deeper local connections, with 9 breakfasts and 3 dinners included.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Denver & Rocky Mountain National Park

    Start in Denver and take time to adjust to the mile-high altitude. "The overall experience provided a good sampling of Colorado life," one traveler shared. On day 2 take Trail Ridge Road into Rocky Mountain National Park. It's the highest continuous paved highway in America. Go early in the morning to spot wildlife and avoid crowds. Stop in Estes Park for lunch before exploring Boulder. Important: Drink lots of water and take it slow on your first day at altitude.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Vail to Aspen

    Check out urban farming in Boulder to learn about sustainable agriculture. Drive to Vail Mountain Resort where the cobblestone streets are quiet in early morning. Stop at Glenwood Springs to enjoy the therapeutic hot springs. The next day take a 4WD jeep tour up Snowmass Mountain past waterfalls and aspen groves. Stop for lunch at Burlingame Cabin with amazing views of the valley.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Wine Country & Million Dollar Highway

    Start in Palisade's orchards and wineries. Visit Clark Family Orchards for fresh produce and local preserves. Drive through Colorado National Monument on Rim Rock Drive where you might see bighorn sheep early or late in the day. Follow the San Juan Skyway to Ouray, known as the "Switzerland of America." Take the scenic Million Dollar Highway to Silverton. Ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through remote wilderness areas.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Mesa Verde & Great Sand Dunes

    Visit the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. "Great tour encompassing almost 1,200 miles over 10 days seeing incredible sites," one recent visitor noted. Consider rafting on the Animas River in Durango. At Great Sand Dunes National Park get there early to climb North America's tallest dunes before the sand heats up.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Colorado Springs & Pikes Peak

    Visit Garden of the Gods in early morning for the best photos and smaller crowds. Take the newly updated Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the 14,115-foot summit. Book afternoon trips for better weather. Finish your trip in Colorado Springs before heading back to Denver. A free airport transfer makes departure easy.

    

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• The Colorado Rockies featuring National Parks and Historic Trains (Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, CO) (2026)

  

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  • Denver USA

    53 mi

  • Rocky Mountain National Park USA

    53 mi

  • Denver USA

    196 mi

  • Grand Junction USA

    55 mi

  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park USA

    55 mi

  • Grand Junction USA

    98 mi

  • Silverton USA

    38 mi

  • Durango USA

    32 mi

  • Mesa Verde National Park USA

    32 mi

  • Durango USA

    198 mi

  • Colorado Springs USA

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• 9 Days in Colorado Rocky Mountains, incl. Denver and Colorado Springs

  This 9-day Colorado adventure spans 8 destinations from Denver to Colorado Springs. The trip features stays in Grand Junction, Durango, and charming mountain towns, complemented by 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners, and guided visits to 4 national parks.

  

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  • Day 1

    Denver

    Fly in during the morning to give yourself time to adjust to Denver's altitude (5,280 feet). The Mile High City is easy to explore on foot, but take it slow your first day. Stay in Lower Downtown (LoDo) to be close to restaurants and the 16th Street Mall.

    
  • Day 2

    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Drive 90 minutes to Estes Park, passing the striking Flatirons. Head into Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road. Go early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms that are typical in summer. The road climbs to 11,811 feet, so pack layers since temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees up high. Visit Moraine Park to spot elk, especially during fall rutting season.

    
  • Day 3

    Grand Junction & Colorado National Monument

    Take a scenic 4-5 hour drive through the Continental Divide to Grand Junction. Explore Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument, which features 19 stops. Make sure to see Balanced Rock and Grand View Overlook. Plan to take photos in late afternoon when the red rocks catch the sunset light.

    
  • Day 4

    Black Canyon of the Gunnison

    Drive two hours to Black Canyon in the morning. Take the South Rim Drive for easily accessible viewpoints. Bring binoculars to spot peregrine falcons along the 2,000-foot canyon walls. Pack lunch since food options are limited. Visit the Museum of the Mountain West in the afternoon to learn about Western history.

    
  • Day 5

    Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad

    Take the historic Durango-Silverton train, a 3.5-hour trip along the Animas River. Book seats on the left side going up for the best views and bring warm clothes. Explore Durango's historic Main Avenue later, where you'll find over 100 restaurants in this small town.

    
  • Day 6

    Mesa Verde National Park

    You'll need to hike at 7,000 feet in Mesa Verde. Book ranger-guided cliff dwelling tours ahead of time since they sell out quickly. Wear shoes with good grip for the steep ladders and rough terrain. Try Balcony House if you want adventure, or pick Cliff Palace for an easier experience.

    
  • Day 7

    Drive to Colorado Springs

    Take a 6-7 hour drive through national forests to Colorado Springs. Stop at Wolf Creek Pass for photos. Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet, so stay hydrated and take it easy while hiking. Find great restaurants near Tejon Street downtown.

    
  • Day 8

    Pike's Peak & Garden of the Gods

    Take the first cog railway trip up Pike's Peak (14,115 feet) for the clearest views. Bring warm clothes since it's about 30 degrees colder at the top. Spend your afternoon at Garden of the Gods walking the paved 1.5-mile Central Garden Trail to see the dramatic rock formations up close.

  • Day 9

    Departure

    Plan for an afternoon flight from Denver. The drive from Colorado Springs takes about 70 minutes. If you have time, take the scenic route through Pike National Forest on Highway 67.

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