10-Day Colorado Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Colorado 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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• 9 Day Colorado Itinerary, incl. Denver and Colorado Springs

  The thoughtfully planned 9-day itinerary showcases Colorado's premier attractions: 2 days in the Denver area, 2 days among western canyons, 2 days along historic railways and Mesa Verde, finishing with 3 days in the Pike's Peak region.

  

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  • Day 1

    Denver

    Welcome to the Mile High City at 5,280 feet. Take it slow on your first day to adjust to the altitude. Explore LoDo (Lower Downtown) and drink plenty of water. One visitor advised: "The altitude can be challenging - I recommend arriving a day early to acclimate before starting the tour activities."

    
  • Day 2

    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Drive to Estes Park and take Trail Ridge Road, North America's highest continuous paved road at over 12,000 feet. Get an early start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Stop in Boulder on the 3-hour drive from Denver to see the stunning Flatirons. Pack extra layers since temperatures can swing 30-40 degrees from bottom to top.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Grand Junction & Black Canyon

    Drive 4 hours through Colorado's wine country to Grand Junction. Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park early on Day 4. Get there by 9 AM for the best photo light of the massive 2,000-foot gorge. A recent visitor noted: "Black Canyon was breathtaking - don't miss the sunset at Painted Wall viewpoint, but bring a jacket as it gets chilly quick."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Durango & Mesa Verde

    Take the historic Durango & Silverton train through the San Juan mountains. One traveler shared: "Pulling into Durango on the train was magical - everyone stopped to wave, real Americana!" Start your Mesa Verde visit with the first ranger tour at 8:30 AM to beat the heat. The cliff dwelling trails are steep, so wear good shoes with grip.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Colorado Springs

    The 6-hour Durango drive goes faster with stops in Rio Grande National Forest. Visit Garden of the Gods early for the best morning light. Book the first Pikes Peak Cog Railway train up to 14,115 feet to avoid afternoon storms. Grab some of the summit's famous hot donuts but remember to bring cash.

    
  • Day 9

    Departure

    Plan extra time to reach Denver International Airport. It's usually 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs but traffic can get heavy, especially during ski season.

    

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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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