Wild Colorado Explorer

Denver - Colorado Springs. Today, meet your tour guide at 13:00 at Denver Airport and travel south to Colorado Springs to begin your journey through this stunning state.

We will explore the Garden of the Gods, marvelling at its striking red rock formations as we walk and hike through the park’s scenic trails. With towering sandstone spires and panoramic views of Pikes Peak, this natural landmark offers plenty of opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the area. After our time at the park, we'll head back to Colorado Springs, check into our hotel, and you’ll have time to unwind and enjoy a relaxing evening exploring the local shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Please note: This tour involves extensive hiking on uneven terrain, covering an average of 5 to 8 kilometres at a time, but sometimes more. Elevation changes range from 50 to 1,000 feet, and both touring and overnight locations are situated at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. Due to the physical demands of this itinerary, participants should be prepared for significant activity.

Please note: This tour includes visits to national parks where entry fees for non-U.S. residents are not included. On Day 1, your guide will collect payment in USD. Travellers can either purchase an America the Beautiful Pass (USD $250 per pass, valid for up to 4 travellers) or pay per park (USD $100 per person, per park). Please see Trip Notes for further information.

Colorado Springs - Alamosa. We begin our day with a historic and scenic ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. We will travel from 6,300 feet to just over 14,000 feet above sea level, taking in the sweeping 360-degree views, vistas, and natural beauty of the Pikes Peak region that has attracted generations of explorers and travellers.

Next, we will visit the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, where one of the world’s highest suspension bridges towers 321 metres above the Arkansas River. Here, you will have time to walk out onto the bridge, enjoy lunch at leisure, and explore the other sights in the park. We head to Alamosa in the heart of Colorado for dinner and our overnight.

Alamosa - Durango. Today, we are exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to the tallest dunes in North America. These vast, shifting dunes are the stunning centrepiece of a diverse landscape that also includes grasslands, forests, wetlands, and alpine terrain. As we hike and take in the views, we’ll witness the contrast between the towering sand dunes and the surrounding lush environment, offering a unique opportunity to experience one of the most varied ecosystems in Colorado.

Once we've finished, we will experience the stunning scenery of the Colorado Rockies as we travel over the picturesque Wolf Creek Pass before arriving in Pagosa Springs. Soon after, we will explore Chimney Rock National Monument and learn about this hidden gem of Ancestral Puebloan history. We’ll discover how these Native Americans used the two rock monoliths to chart the moon and record the Lunar Standstill that occurs every 18.6 years.

We will end our day with yet another scenic drive, leading us to the historic town of Durango

Durango - Mesa Verde National Park - Durango. Today will be dedicated to exploring Mesa Verde National Park. We will visit the cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo and Anasazi peoples, who once thrived in this region before mysteriously disappearing. Mesa Verde is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States, featuring 4,000 sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.

We will begin at the Visitors Centre, where a large collection of ancient artifacts is on display. Our local guide will then lead us through some of the more renowned ruins, with a break for lunch. After our fascinating tour of Mesa Verde, we will return to Durango, where the remainder of the day will be free for you to explore this lively western town at your own pace.

Durango - Ouray - Grand Junction. Today, we’ll journey along the Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray, often called the "Little Switzerland of America." As we travel, we’ll take in breathtaking alpine meadows, the scenic Animas River, and the towering San Juan Mountains, a prominent range within the Rockies. We’ll stop along the way for scenic overlooks and short hikes.

After passing historic mining ruins near Red Mountain Pass, with striking views of the “14-ers” mountains over 14,000 feet, known for challenging trails and scenic vistas, we’ll wind down to the charming town of Ouray for a visit to Box Canyon Falls and other highlights.

Our route then takes us north to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with its dramatic canyon carved by the Gunnison River. We’ll explore trails and viewpoints along the north, enjoying sheer canyon walls and unique striated cliffs, including views of the Painted Wall.

We’ll finish the day in Grand Junction, enjoying a picnic dinner at the Colorado National Monument.

Please note: departures in 2027 will visit the north and south rims of Black Canyon.

Grand Junction - Glenwood Springs - Silverthorne. After breakfast, we’ll travel east to Glenwood Springs for an exciting whitewater rafting adventure.

We’ll raft through the beautiful Glenwood Canyon, surrounded by stunning Rocky Mountain scenery, with a mix of calm waters and thrilling rapids. The trip includes Class 2-4 rapids, including the Shoshone Class 3-4 section, a 3-kilometre stretch ideal for both excitement and accessibility. This favourite route offers fascinating geology, impressive views, and engineering marvels along Interstate 70 - plus plenty of thrilling whitewater action!

You will have a few hours of free time for lunch and the chance to relax in the mineral hot springs, the reason Glenwood Springs was established.

We will then continue through the Colorado Rockies on our way to Silverthorne for the night. The evening is yours to explore or enjoy dinner in Silverthorne at your leisure.

Silverthorne - Rocky Mountain National Park - Grand Lake - Denver. We will depart Silverthorne for a scenic drive to Grand Lake and the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, we’ll hike and take in the stunning views along the park’s renowned Trail Ridge Road, which ascends to over 12,000 feet, with several overlooks showcasing the subalpine and alpine environments.

We’ll explore some hiking trails at our guide's discretion as we enjoy an afternoon of mountain roads, wildlife, and breathtaking views, a true Colorado Rocky Mountain High!

In the late afternoon, we’ll return to the Front Range for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, sharing our experiences from the past week in Colorado with our fellow travellers. Afterward, we’ll head to our hotel near the airport.

After breakfast, you’ll say farewell to Colorado and head to Denver International Airport for your flight home. A complimentary airport shuttle is provided by the hotel.