Tripology

Welcome to the “Mile High City!” A complimentary transfer is provided to your hotel. Your Tour Director is available this afternoon to answer questions.

Food and Dining

Meet your fellow travelers tonight at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel.

Hotel

Stay at Adam’s Mark (SF).

Bus

Drive to the resort of Estes Park and enter Rocky Mountain National Park.

Sightseeing

Travel along scenic Trail Ridge Road with its majestic mountain views. Cross the Continental Divide, drive along the Blue River and over Vail Pass to arrive at the famous resort village of Vail.

Sightseeing

The rest of the day is at leisure. Wander the quaint pedestrian-only alleys lined with shops, restaurants and cafés at the base of the ski slopes. (When Trail Ridge Road is closed due to weather conditions, travel over Berthoud Pass.) (FB)

Hotel

Stay at Marriott (F).

Sightseeing

Travel along the Colorado River, admiring the grand land­scape of the Rocky Mountains. Enter Colorado National Monument this afternoon and follow Rim Rock Drive, viewing sheer-walled canyons and towering monoliths. You might even spot desert bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.

National Parks

Cross the border into Utah and visit Canyonlands National Park. Stop at Island in the Sky, a mesa on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet high. From this towering elevation, you enjoy a breathtaking panorama.

Food and Dining

Continue on to Moab. This evening, relish dinner and the wonderful views over the town. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Canyonlands Inn (MF).

National Parks

This morning, visit Arches National Park, home to more than two thousand unique and fascinat­ing natural sandstone arches, including the famous Double Arch.

Relaxation

Travel along Scenic Drive, making stops to see some of the Park’s most striking features. The after­noon is at leisure to explore further on your own or just relax.

Sightseeing

You might want to take an optional Hummer excursion tour through Moab’s magnificent red rock backcountry or an optional jetboat ride on the rushing Colorado River, learning about the geology, wildlife and culture of Moab and the river. (FB)

Sightseeing

Your first stop today is in Telluride, a mountain resort with a Victorian heritage. There is time here to stroll along the main street, browse through the shops and galleries, or simply relax at an outdoor café and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Museums

Then head southwest to the town of Dolores for a visit to the Anasazi Heritage Center. At this interactive museum, you will learn about the people who once inhabited the Four Corners region.

National Parks

Continue to your lodge set inside Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Far View Lodge (MF).

National Parks

Tour Mesa Verde National Park, home to some of the most amazing archaeological sites in the U.S. From 600 AD through 1300 AD, people lived and flourished in communities throughout the area, build­ing elaborate cliff dwellings.

Sightseeing

These stone villages were built inside the sheltering alcoves of the canyon walls. Later, head to the frontier town of Durango, one of the last great cowboy towns in the South­west.

Food and Dining

This evening, perhaps join a fun stagecoach ride into a secluded canyon, followed by a cowboy dinner. (FB)

Hotel

Stay at Holiday Inn Durango (MF).

Train

Drive along the Million Dollar Highway to the mining town of Silverton this morning. Optionally, you might want to take the Narrow Gauge Railroad instead.

Sightseeing

Explore the historic buildings and quaint art shops of this National Historic District.

Sightseeing

Perhaps go underground and experience the world of the gold miner on an optional tour of the Old Hundred Gold Mine.

Relaxation

Returning to Durango, the balance of the day is at leisure. (FB)

Bus

Journey through the Rio Grande and Santa Fe National Forests into New Mexico, then on to the capital city of Santa Fe. Set in the Sangre de Cristo Moun­tains, Santa Fe is rich with history, culture and art.

Sightseeing

Upon arrival, a ride aboard a narrated open-air trolley shows you the highlights of Santa Fe, including the Loretto Chapel and the main plaza. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza (SF).

Sightseeing

Your day is free to explore Santa Fe at your own pace. Walk down its narrow, winding streets past 400-year-old adobe buildings, visit world-renowned art galleries or relax at a fine restaurant.

Sightseeing

You might want to join an optional excursion to Taos for a guided tour of Taos Pueblo, both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Monument, and a float trip down the Rio Grande River with dinner served by Pueblo Indian families. (FB)

Sightseeing

Head east to Pecos National Historical Park, home to an ancient pueblo, two Spanish colonial missions, Santa Fe Trail sites, and the site of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass.

Sightseeing

Then travel to Colorado Springs, at the foot of Pikes Peak. This evening, view the stunning sandstone formations at the Garden of the Gods.

Food and Dining

Then celebrate your western adventure at an authentic chuckwagon dinner, followed by the Flying W Wranglers and their outstanding western stage show. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs (SF).

Sightseeing

At the U.S. Air Force Academy stop at the Visitor’s Center and see the striking Cadet Chapel. You might see the Air Force Academy’s famous parachute team, “The Wings of Blue,” or catch a glimpse of F-16s training in the sky above.

Continue on to Denver where the tour ends at the airport or the Denver hotel for travelers extending their stay. Please do not schedule any flights before 4 p.m. (FB)