Arrive in Denver by 1:00 pm.  After a brief check-in with your tour director and a stop for lunch on your own, enjoy your first taste of adventures to come as you travel south to Colorado Springs for touring of Garden of the Gods. An abundance of plant and animal life can be found throughout its 1,340 acres, as well as the magnificent red sandstone rock formations, for which the Garden is best known. Next, check into your hotel and join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Drury Inn & Suites or similar, Colorado Springs, CO | Meals: D

After a leisurely morning, travel to Canon City and board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for a vintage train ride along the legendary Arkansas River deep within the Gorge. Next, travel to Royal Gorge Park & Bridge, where the world's highest suspension bridge towers 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. Here you will have time to walk out on the bridge, have lunch on your own and explore other sights in the park. In the afternoon, your next stop will be the rare historical treasure, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.  Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, we will see authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings built more than 700 years ago.  Before returning to the hotel for a good night’s rest, we conclude our day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Drury Inn & Suites or similar, Colorado Springs, CO | Meals: B, D

Start the day with a unique experience as you take a short drive to Manitou Springs for an exciting ride on the world’s highest cog railway, the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway.  Located near Denver and Colorado Springs, the world’s highest cog train takes us to the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak, Colorado for spectacular panoramic views of the plain and western mountains.  After some time for lunch on own, travel south and then west on the way to Great Sand Dunes National Park for sightseeing. After a wonderful day in Colorado, arrive in Alamosa for a one night stay.  Dinner included at a local restaurant.

Hampton Inn or similar, Alamosa, CO | Meals: B, D

After breakfast, travel to nearby Mesa Verde National Park for a day of exploration. Here you will visit cliff dwellings where the mysterious Anasazi once lived. Known as the "Ancient Ones" to the Navajo, the Anasazi lived in the Four Corners area almost a thousand years ago, then suddenly disappeared - leaving their incredibly well-preserved dwellings to intrigue and challenge modern man. This is the nation’s largest archeological preserve with 4,000 sights including 600 cliff dwellings. Spend some time in the Visitors Center with its large collection of ancient artifacts for an introduction to the ancient culture. Visit the most famous ruin sites with a stop for lunch on own.  After a fascinating tour of the park, return to Durango with the rest of the day free to explore this fun western town on your own.

Holiday Inn or similar, Durango, CO | Meals: B

This morning, enjoy a scenic drive through the Colorado Rockies.  Enjoy some time to explore the historic mining town of Silverton, then drive the stunning Million Dollar Highway as you descend from the mountain through Ouray on your way to Montrose for lunch on own.  In the afternoon, enjoy sightseeing of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park along the Rim Road with stops at the visitors center and various viewpoints along the road.  Later in the afternoon, continue north to Grand Junction. This evening, see the fantastic monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Over the centuries, wind and water have carved sheer, walled canyons, spires, and gorges from the brilliant orange and red sandstone. Overnight in Grand Junction and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Hampton Inn Downtown or similar, Grand Junction, CO | Meals: B, D

Take a short drive to Glenwood Springs and arrive at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for a scenic gondola ride up the mountain and a tour of Fairy Cave followed by an included lunch. The rest of the day is free to explore the wonderful shops and restaurants in town and to visit Glenwood Hot Springs on your own for a soak in the mineral springs.

Hampton Inn or similar, Silverthorne, CO | Meals: B, L

After a leisurely morning, depart Glenwood Springs and continue your journey through the high Rockies of Colorado.  Arrive Grand Lake Lodge for lunch on your own with an amazing view.  Then enter Rocky Mountain National Park for sightseeing along the famed Trail Ridge Road which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds.  In will be an afternoon of mountain roads, wildlife and breathtaking views.  A true Colorado Rocky Mountain High!  In the late afternoon, stop in Estes Park and then continue to Westminster for overnight and a farewell dinner.

Drury Inn & Suites or similar, Westminster, CO | Meals: B, D

Say farewell to Colorado as you head over to Denver International Airport for your flight home. Transfers on your own using the hotel airport shuttle as needed.

Meals: B