Colorful Colorado: Peaks, Parks, and Panoramas

Experience the incredible diversity of Colorado on an unforgettable journey through breathtaking mountain landscapes, iconic national parks and fascinating heritage. Beginning in vibrant Denver, the Mile High City, this adventure showcases the state's spectacular natural beauty, from the soaring peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park and the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park to the towering dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park and the dramatic depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Travel through the striking mesas and canyons of the San Juan National Forest aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one of North America's most scenic rail journeys. With the flexibility to personalise your time in Colorado Springs through a choice of included excursions, this itinerary offers the perfect balance of guided sightseeing, unforgettable experiences and the freedom to explore your way.

Pricing

10 days 

from

$8,239*

per person, twin share

Based on 11 & 25 September 2027 departures

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Denver

At 6 pm, meet with your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
EXPLORE MORE: Denver has something for everyone! Discover one of the city’s great museums, stroll the pedestrian mall at 16th Street or visit a local brewery on the Denver Beer Trail! Your Tour Director has suggestions to make the most of your free time.

Day 2: Denver - Morrison - Boulder - Estes Park

Take an orientation tour of Denver, including the Colorado State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Visit Red Rocks Amphitheater, an iconic Colorado venue initially created by geologic events. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal project, Civilian Conservation Corps, constructed the amphitheater seating. Continue to Boulder for Flatiron views and an orientation tour. Enjoy lunch and leisure time to explore Pearl Street, a pedestrian walkway in the heart of downtown. Depart Boulder for Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. (B)

Day 3: Estes Park - Rocky Mountain National Park - Vail

Visit the Alpine Visitor Center and explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Continue to Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest natural lake, framed by magnificent mountain peaks. Travel to Vail, a charming mountain town nestled in the Colorado Rockies, for dinner at a local restaurant and a two-night stay. (B,D)

Day 4: Bavarian Beauty

Visit the Vail Nature Center and enjoy a light guided hike to explore the wildflowers, active beaver lodges, and local ecosystem. Continue to the Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame and learn the rich history of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Consider strolling the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, try goat yoga, or enjoy an exhilarating ride on the Copper Mountain gondola and alpine slide. (B)

Day 5: Vail - Grand Junction - Colorado National Monument - Palisade

Depart Vail for Grand Junction and the Colorado National Monument for red rock canyons and desert landscapes high on the Colorado Plateau. Here, the Rockies meet the American Southwest. Continue to Palisade and visit a family-owned peach orchard. The unique climate, altitude, and rich volcanic soil in the Palisade area are the perfect combination for growing peaches and grapes. Discover creative peach concoctions with a tour and tasting at   Peach Street Distillers, a creative spirits distillery. Enjoy an overnight stay at the Wine Country Inn for an authentic, local wine experience. (B)

Day 6: Palisade - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Silverton - Durango

All aboard! Depart Palisade for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Enjoy views in the quiet park of the gorge carved by the powerful Gunnison River. Continue to Silverton for a memorable ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Durango for a 2-night stay. Tonight, spend free time browsing the shops on Main Avenue or enjoy regional specialties at a local restaurant. (B)

Day 7: Durango. Mesa Verde National Park

Today, visit Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum and discover the culture and history of the Núuchi (Ute People). This afternoon, visit Ska Brewing Company in Durango for a tasting and to discover their sustainability initiatives. As one of the first craft breweries in the country to package beer in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, they are committed to reducing waste and continue to create sustainability programs. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in downtown Durango. (B,D)

Day 8: Durango - Great Sand Dunes National Park - Colorado Springs

Depart Durango for Alamosa and visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Reaching 750 feet high across 30 square miles, the Great Sand Dunes of Southern Colorado amaze as the tallest sand dunes in North America. Surrounded by a backdrop of forest, mountains, and wild grassland, this natural wonder creates a visual masterpiece of natural beauty. Continue to Colorado Springs for a 2-night resort stay. (B)

Day 9: Colorado Springs

Spend your day your way in Colorado Springs. Explore more of Colorado Springs with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
 
GOING FOR GOLD
Experience an immersive look into the training of the greatest athletes in America and rich Olympic history with a visit to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Discover interactive exhibits, innovative displays and an impressive artifact collection on Team USA.
 
AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN
Take a ride on the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a memorable experience on the oldest cog railway in the world. Travel from Manitou Springs to the summit that inspired the song, America the Beautiful, for panoramic views of rich forests, canyons, and snow-capped mountains.
Visit stunning Garden of the Gods for a gentle nature walk to explore 300 million years of geological history amid its 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations. Marvel at the otherworldly beauty of this geological wonder against a Colorado “bluebird” sky above the snowcapped summit of Pikes Peak. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at the resort. This evening, gather with your fellow travel companions and Tour Director for a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 10: Colorado Springs - Denver

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Schedule departing flights from Denver International Airport after 12:30 pm. 

Highlights

• Recognized as the “Happiest City in the US,” Boulder boasts more than 300 days of sunshine. Home to University of Colorado Boulder, a tier-one research university also known for the strong Buffaloes football program, and The Sink, a timeless college hangout and the oldest restaurant in Boulder.
• Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses a variety of mountain range environments with alpine lakes, majestic mountain peaks, and miles of meadows for the wildlife to call home. Cross the tundra of the Continental Divide as it runs through Rocky Mountain National Park on the Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuously paved road in America. Watch for a wealth of wildlife that call the Rockies home—including plentiful elk, moose, big horn sheep, marmots, and maybe a black bear!
• Discover the woods, birds, and meadows at the Vail Nature Center. Walk along the Gore Creek and connect with nature while exploring the unique ecology, wildflowers, and wildlife in the heart of Vail.
• Board the legendary Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad steam train as it hugs steep canyon walls to wind its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon. Arrive in Durango, a town born in the Gold Rush and silver-mining era.
• See Spruce Tree House, one of Mesa Verde’s best-preserved cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that tells the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot ancient plateau (now Mesa Verde National Park). Stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace (one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings).

Special Features included

• Guided sightseeing in Denver with Red Rocks Amphitheater
  Boulder and Estes Park
• Visit Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Lake
• Wildflower walk at Vail Nature Center
• Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Guided sightseeing in Palisade including peach farm visit
• Tour & tasting at Peach Street Distillers
• Visit Durango and ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad
• Guided sightseeing in Mesa Verde National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Visit Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark
• Globus Choice excursion in Colorado Springs – included in your tour, choose between the Broadmoor Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway or visit the US Olympic-Paralympic Museum

Terms and Conditions

Prices are correct as at 1 July 2027 and are in NZD. Professional service fees apply.