Welcome to Denver, the Mile High City. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a dinner.
The Rocky Mountains may seem larger than life, but your journey to Rocky Mountain National Park will see you come face to face with this extraordinary mountain landscape which snakes along western North America. Drive along the Trail Ridge Road (seasonal), a designated national scenic byway and the highest continuous paved highway in America.
Start the day with a guided MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a local urban community farm that embraces organic and sustainable farming practices. Before continuing to Glenwood Springs, spend some time exploring the cobbled streets of Vail. Tonight, enjoy your Stays With Stories hotel.
Head up Colorado's Rocky Mountains to Aspen. Join your Travel Director for a walk through town as an exciting and exclusive experience awaits, as you're taken by jeep up to the historic Burlingame Cabin located on Snowmass Mountain. There you can take an extended jeep tour, or just sit back, relax and admire the breathtaking views of the mountain ranges. Enjoy a delicious lunch hot off the grill, a campfire, live music, and s'mores.
Head for Palisade today. Stop at a local peach farm (seasonal) to learn all about fruit farming in the Rockies. After, we head on to the Colorado National Monument which preserves one of the grandest landscapes of the American West. This evening, stay in the heart of wine country and enjoy a Be My Guest dinner where you will be hosted by the owner of a local winery for an exclusive evening.
Today we stop in the must-see town of Ouray. From Ouray, ride along the famous "Million Dollar Highway," a designated All-American Byway and one of the state’s most scenic drives. Arrive in the mining town of Silverton to board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Durango. Take a trip back in time as you journey along rails that were originally laid at the end of the 19th century.
Admire the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people, carved out of the sandstone of the canyon walls, at the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park. Several hundred of these dwellings, in addition to thousands of known archaeological sites, are preserved in this protected area and you’ll have an opportunity to see several during your visit to the park. Later, indulge in free time in Durango with options of activities, including a fun rafting experience on the Animas River. This evening, explore Downtown Durango's bustling restaurant scene with plenty of options destined to suit any taste palette.
Today's highlight is the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, a sandbox of epic proportions - 39 square miles (101 square kilometres) and 725 feet (229 metres), making it the largest sand dune in North America. Learn about this unique geographical phenomenon before heading for Colorado Springs.
Visit Colorado's spectacular Garden of the Gods, a registered National Natural Landmark boasting dramatic vistas and towering, jagged red-rock formations. You will be joined by a Local Specialist for a guided tour through the gardens. You'll have time for lunch on your own in Manitou Springs. Board the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog railroad, for an unforgettable trip to the 14,115 feet (4,302 metres) summit of Pikes Peak and learn about the locations connection with the patriotic song "America the Beautiful.'' Tonight, sit down and enjoy a dinner with your fellow friends.
Our journey concludes today as we bid a fond farewell to new friends and depart Colorado Springs. Enjoy a transfer to Denver, with a complimentary drop-off at Denver International Airport, ensuring a smooth and convenient end to your adventure. Safe travels!