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Southwest Colorado's Mountains and Utah's Canyon Country

Highlights

  • Hike or horseback ride into the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area - this is the Colorado you've seen on postcards.
  • Visit old mines and ghost towns from Colorado's mining heyday.
  • Climb a ladder into an ancient Puebloan cliff dwelling.
  • Take a narrow gauge steam train through the mountains - ride in the outside cars and you might feel the cinders in your hair.
  • Ride "shotgun" on an 1800s style Old West stagecoach.
  • Stand beneath a natural stone arch carved by erosion over the last few million years.
  • Join a guide for a hike into the labyrinth of rocks called the Fiery Furnace.
  • Jeep into the heart of Canyonlands.
  • Enjoy the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park.
  • Go underground on a guided cave tour at Glenwood Caverns, then play on the zipline or Alpine Coaster.
Season: June to October
Duration: Over 14 Nights
Starting from: $5,725

Destinations

  • Denver - 1 night: Denver, known as mile high city, is the capital of Colorado and the beginning of your journey.
  • Rocky Mountain National Park - 1-3 nights: Spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park is renowned for its mountains vistas and abundant wildlife. Miles of hiking trails weave up steep rocky trails, over alpine tundra, and past high-mountain lakes.
  • Glenwood Springs - 1-2 nights: Glenwood Springs offers a variety of activities that include soaking in the famous hot springs, taking a cave tour or guided raft trip.
  • Dead Horse Point State Park - 1-2 nights: Dead Horse Point is a promontory of stone surrounded by steep cliffs. 
  • Moab - 1-3 nights: Moab is a great basecamp for visiting Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.
  • Mesa Verde National Park - 1-2 nights: Mesa Verde is like no other place.  Step back in time to marvel at ancient cliff dwellings and ponder why they were suddenly abandoned.
  • Durango - 1-2 nights: Durango was established as a railroad hub, but is now a hub for mountain biking, river rafting, and fishing.
  • Ouray - 1-2 nights: Rent a Jeep and spend the day exploring some of Colorado's most spectacular high-country wilderness. Keep an eye out for abandoned gold and silver mines.
  • Redstone/Marble - 1-2 nights: Visit trendy Aspen or hike in the Maroon Bells Wilderness.
  • Aspen: Aspen's gondola is open during the summer season for hikers and bikers.  The Maroon Bells area is home to some of the most photographed peaks in the world.
  • Leadville - 1 night: This historic mountain town with its charming Victorian architecture and historic mining era also offers outdoor activities galore.
  • Denver - 1 night: Spend your last night in a campground near metro Denver.
  • Friendly guidance from an experienced Trip Planner

  • Personalized Adventure Kit trip portfolio

  • First night accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel in your gateway city
  • Rental of a deluxe RV, sized to suit your group or a full-size SUV
  • Nightly reservations in carefully chosen campgrounds or deluxe lodging in or around the National Parks
  • One-day jeep rental for 4 - 6 people

Arches Guided Naturalist Hike

Explore the maze-like Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park. Accessed only when accompanied by an experienced guide. Your guide will lead you among the sandstone arches, towers, and fins of this unique area on a 2-hour hike. This moderately strenuous walk requires the occasional use of hands to scramble through narrow cracks and along narrow ledges, but can be enjoyed by anyone in good physical condition. On your way back to Moab, learn some geology of the park. Allow 5.5 hours for this adventure. Trip includes transportation from Moab to the trailhead, as well as snacks and drinks.  $77/Adult; $57/Child (Ages 5 to 15)

Canyonlands by Jet Boat - half day

This four-hour excursion is the best trip anywhere for the serious photographer. The newest, best-equipped, modern boats are used for this part of the Colorado River. Exploring the calm-water sections down-river of Moab, the trip reveals remote canyons of exquisite beauty. Special features include a petrified forest, fossilized sea beds, spectacular rock cliffs, Indian ruins, arches and petroglyphs, Thelma and Louise Point, and Dead Horse Point. They have their own dock, so you spend four full hours on the river instead of a bus ride. Daytime or sunset tours available. Minimum Age is 4.  Daytime Tour - $75/Adult; $65/Child (ages 4 through 12); Sunset Tour - $65/Adult; $55/Child (ages 4 through 12).

Moab ATV Tour - 2 hours

Want to play in sand dunes, see spectacular vistas, and explore the remains of ancient civilizations? A guided back-country ATV tour is the way to go! This one is fun for the whole family - all skill levels can be accommodated. Drivers must be 16 years old. $109/operator, $69/passenger. Upgrade to the half-day tour for just $139/driver. Or consider a combo Hummer & ATV adventure for $159/adult, $99/child (under 16), including lunch.

Moab Canyoneering

Combine hiking into the rugged terrain of Utah's remote red rock canyons, a series of rappels, and some rock scrambling for a half or full day canyoneering adventure. Let us know if you prefer Mild, Moderate, or Difficult! No experience necessary - you'll be taught the required rappelling and rock scrambling skills.  Minimum age 10

Half-day easy to moderate hiking $99/Adult; $84/Child (water and snacks included)

Full-day advanced hiking $150/Adult; $120/Child (water and lunch included in full day)

Moab Horseback Ride- 3 hours

Trail rides are a great way to experience the red rock country around Moab. Gentle, cowboy-trained horses and experienced wranglers make for a relaxing adventure. After some lessons in the corral, you'll head up Castle Creek Canyon where the soft sounds of the clearwater creek add to the ambiance of towering 2,000 foot cliffs. Cross the shallow creek several times as the views just keep getting better. This beautiful trail is made exclusive to those who choose this trip, so you'll gain a special sense of seclusion that only adds to the astounding sights. $70/Person.  Minimum age 8, and 220 lb weight limit.

Moab Hummer Tour

Experience off-road thrills in a Hummer, the ultimate 4x4. Visit some of Moab's secluded canyons, hidden arches, and rock art sites. Tour time is about 2 hours. $69/Adult; $39/Child (under 16) For even more fun, try the 4-hour trip ($129/Adult; $89/Child under 16) or the popular sunset tour ($79/Adult; $49/Child under 16). For added excitement, choose a 2 hour Hummer/2 hour ATV Tour ($159/Adult; $99/Child under 16). Or 2 hour ATV/Half day raft ($139/Adult; $89/Child under 16.)

Moab Jeep Rental - full day

The best way to get into the interior of this immense landscape near Moab and two national parks is in a rented jeep. Rates vary from $150 to $180 per day depending upon model available.  Minimum driving age 25.

Moab Half-day Klondike Bluffs Mountain Bike Tour

This out-and-back bike ride ascends into Arches National Park, for a unique perspective of the world famous arches and fins! Intermediate riders will love this guided 12-mile tour.  $90/Person

Moab Scenic Raft Trip - half day

Enjoy the wonders of the Colorado River and impressive red rock spires of the Fisher Towers section on a half-day raft trip. Season is March through October.  $45/Adult; $35/Child (ages 5 through 17)

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Full Day

Ride the narrow gauge railroad between Durango and Silverton for some spectacular Colorado mountain scenery.  $79/Adult; $49/Child (ages 5 through 11)

Glenwood Springs Half-Day Shoshone Raft Trip

This trip offers an exciting day of whitewater thrills through the Shoshone rapids and breathtaking beauty beneath the majestic walls of Glenwood Canyon. Experience the best of the mighty Colorado River! An excellent choice for all experience levels. Perfect for families. There is a minimum weight for children of 35 lbs. to ride any raft, and a minimum weight of 50 lbs. to ride the rapids.   $42/Adults; $30/Child (up to 12 years old).

Buttermilk Horseback Ride - 2 Hour

This 2-hour horseback ride centers in Aspen and Snowmass Village on Buttermilk Mountain. Experience beautiful views of the Aspen Valley while riding through the aspen groves and evergreens. 250 lb weight limit.  Minimum age 6. $70/Adult; $70/Child (ages 6 through 12).
Canyonlands, Arches and Capitol Reef National Parks

Canyonlands, Arches and Capitol Reef National Parks

11 to 14 Nights  |  Starting from $4,650

With 11 or more days, you can see some of this area's coolest geology! Deep canyons, erosion carved arches on sandstone, ancient rock art, and the incredible Waterpocket Fold and San Rafael Swell are some of the highlights. Spend your days hiking, rafting, four wheeling, horseback riding, canyoneering, mountain biking, or simply soaking in the scenery.
Colorado Springs, Leadville & Great Sand Dunes National Park

Colorado Springs, Leadville & Great Sand Dunes National Park

7 to 10 Nights  |  Starting from $3,095

Start your trip in the Mile High City, Denver, and stand at exactly one mile above sea level. Visit Colorado Springs, home of the United States Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods Park, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Tour Gold Rush history in Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States, by bicycle or historic train. Raft the Arkansas River and climb some of the tallest sand dunes in North America. You can even view some dinosaur fossils as you head back into Denver.
Exploring the Rockies

Exploring the Rockies

11 to 14 Nights  |  Starting from $4,245

If mountain scenery is what you're craving, this trip will take in some of the best in Colorado. From the foothills in Denver, you'll spend the next few days camping beneath towering peaks of the Fourteeners. Hike in pristine alpine meadows to sparkling high mountain lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Take a cave tour, raft trip or horseback ride. Play on the Alpine Slide at Breckenridge, or tour Gold Rush history in Leadville by bicycles or historic train.