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| Duration | Destination | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days and 14 nights | United States (Denver, Rocky Mountain Park, Cheyenne, Fort Laramie, Mount Rushmore - Keystone, Deadwood, Big Horn National Forest, Cody, Yellowstone Park, Yellowstone Area, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Antelope Island, Salt Lake City, Canyonlands Nationals Park, Moab, Arches National Park, Montrose (Black Canyon), Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Ouray, Silverton (CO), Durango, Cortez, Mesa Verde National Park, Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Pueblo, Garden of the Gods Park, Breckenridge) | United States (Denver) |
Day 1:
Saturday - Denver
Arrival into Denver and independent transfer to the hotel. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains and capital of Colorado is a modern city which serves as the commercial, financial and transportation center for the surrounding Rocky Mountain and Plain States. It is often referred to as the “Mile High City” because of its location of 5,280 feet or 1,609 meters above sea level, which equals 1 mile.
Day 2:
Sunday - Denver > Rocky Mountain National Park > Cheyenne (221 mi / 355 km)
Continental Breakfast. Board the motor coach to start the day with a short city tour of Denver including the State Capitol, 16th Street Mall, and Larimer Square. Upon leaving the city, head towards Rocky Mountain National Park to take in awe-inspiring vistas of the Rockies while climbing the “highway to the sky”, Trail Ridge Road, to an elevation of 12,000 ft / 3,650 m, making it the highest continuous paved highway in America. Continue to Cheyenne, capital of Wyoming and the embodiment of many iconic images of the Old West: cowboys, rodeos and railroads.
Day 3:
Monday - Cheyenne > Fort Laramie > Crazy Horse Memorial > Mt. Rushmore > Deadwood (333 mi / 536 km)
Continental Breakfast. Depart Cheyenne to head north for a visit to Fort Laramie, a fur trading post which became a popular stop for migrants on their trek to find land and fortune on the West Coast. After entering South Dakota, drive through the Black Hills to stop at Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountain monument which has been under construction since 1948. Once completed, the sculpture will be the largest in the world, measuring 641 feet (195 m) long and 563 feet (172 m) tall. From here, it is just a short drive to a smaller but therefore not lesser epic rock carving: Mount Rushmore National Memorial. This iconic sculpture commemorates U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Overnight stay in Deadwood, famous for its gold rush history and burial site for Wild West figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
Day 4:
Tuesday - Deadwood > Devils Tower National Monument > Big Horn National Forest > Cody (392 mi / 630 km)
Continental Breakfast. Return to Wyoming to come to a stop at Devils Tower National Monument, a 867 ft (265 m) tall monolith towering out over the surrounding prairie, which was featured in the 1977 film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. Further west into Wyoming lies Bighorn National Forest, which straddles the Bighorn Mountains, a spur of the Rocky Mountains in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. Once on the other side of the mountain range, continue to Cody, named for Colonel William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody.
Day 5:
Wednesday - Cody > Yellowstone (99 m / 159 km)
Continental Breakfast. Start the day with a visit of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums dedicated to the American West (admission included). Mid- morning continue west to America’s first national park: Yellowstone, where the rest of the day will be spent exploring this natural wonder. The park has many special features such as geysers, mud volcanoes, bald eagles and herds of bison roaming freely on the prairies.
Day 6:
Thursday - Yellowstone > Grand Teton National Park > Jackson Hole (80 m / 129 km)
Continental Breakfast. Early morning departure for a visit to Grand Teton National Park, where snow-capped jagged granite peaks reflect into a myriad of alpine lakes. Its lush forests are home to antelope, mule, deer, chipmunks and colorful blue jays. Continue to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a picturesque valley between the Grand Teton and Gross Ventre mountain ranges. Spend the night in Jackson, the town that epitomizes the true Wild West.
Day 7:
Friday - Jackson Hole > Antelope Island > Salt Lake City (343 m / 552 km)
Continental Breakfast. Continue south through Idaho and Utah to arrive on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. This island with an area of 42 square miles (109 square km) is the largest of 10 islands in the lake and renowned for its natural scenic beauty and wildlife, including bison which were introduced to the island in 1893. Afterwards proceed to Utah’s State Capital and host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake City, for an overnight stop.
Day 8:
Saturday - Salt Lake City > Canyonlands National Park > Moab (277 mi / 445 km)
Continental Breakfast. Morning orientation tour of Salt Lake City including the State Capitol building (no admission), the famed Temple Square and Tabernacle. Upon conclusion of the tour, depart in a southern direction to one of Utah’s natural wonders: Canyonlands National Park, which preserves a colorful landscape eroded into numerous canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado river and its tributaries.
Day 9:
Sunday - Moab > Arches National Park > Colorado National Monument > Montrose (184 mi / 296 km)
Continental Breakfast. It is just a very short drive from Moab to yet another magnificent National Park: Arches, a symphony of colors and shapes, created by the forces of nature. Afterwards, head west to return to Colorado for a visit of Colorado National Monument, which preserves one of the grandest landscapes of the American West. Experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of 23-mile long Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. Overnight stay in the town of Montrose.
Day 10:
Monday - Montrose > Black Canyon of the Gunnison > Ouray > Silverton > Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad > Durango > Cortez (178 mi / 286 km)
Continental Breakfast. Visit of nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which owes its name to the fact that sections of the gorge only get 33 minutes of sunlight a day. Its steep cliffs and craggy spire are sure to impress. Next, ride along the famous "Million Dollar Highway," a designated All-American Byway and one of Colorado’s most scenic drives, from Montrose to Silverton. Stop along the way in the must-see town of Ouray, nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies, and often referred to as the "Switzerland of America." In early afternoon, arrive in the mining town of Silverton to board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Durango. Take a trip back in time as this coal-fired, steam-powered train chugs along rails that were originally laid at the end of the 19th century, winding through a wilderness inaccessible by car. In Durango, board the coach again for the final stretch to Cortez for an overnight stay.
Day 11:
Tuesday - Cortez > Mesa Verde National Park > Gallup > Albuquerque (307 m / 493 km)
Continental Breakfast. Depart from Cortez for a visit of Mesa Verde National Park, once home of the Ancestral Pueblo Indians, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing over 600 cliff dwellings, carved out of the sandstone of the canyon walls. Continue south into New Mexico to come to a stop in Gallup, located along historic Route 66 and home to the historic El Rancho Hotel and Motel, once home to notable movie stars such as John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Humphrey Bogart and many others. In the afternoon head west alongside Route 66 towards Albuquerque..
Day 12:
Wednesday - Albuquerque > Petroglyph National Monument > Turquoise Trail > Santa Fe (85 mi / 137 km)
Continental Breakfast. Start the morning with an orientation tour of the city, including Old Albuquerque. Next, visit the Petroglyph National Monument, one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. From here, proceed to the Turquoise Trail, a 50-mile long scenic highway linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe through rolling hills with mountain views and quaint historic mining towns. Following the trail, travel north to Madrid, once a ghost town and now a thriving artist enclave. At the end of the Turquoise Trail.
Day 13:
Thursday - Santa Fe > Taos > Great Sand Dunes National Park > Pueblo (325 mi / 523 km)
Continental Breakfast. Follow the Rio Grande Gorge north to the Taos region, a thriving artist community. Visit Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the USA and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore their unique way of life which has remained unchanged for almost ten centuries. Proceed north into Colorado to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, an enormous sandbox covering about 30 square miles (78 square km) and with sand dunes up to 750 feet (229 m) tall. Overnight stop in Pueblo.
Day 14:
Friday - Pueblo > Garden of the Gods Park > Breckenridge > Denver (235 mi / 378 km)
Continental Breakfast. Head north to take in the majestic scenery of the aptly named Garden of the Gods Park: a giant rock garden of towering red sandstone formations sculpted by rain and wind over millions of years with snow-capped Pikes Peak Mountain in the background. Enjoy the final stretch of scenic mountain views while driving to Breckenridge, a popular ski resort with beautifully preserved Victorian houses. Continue to Denver.
Day 15:
Saturday - Denver
Continental Breakfast. End of the tour.
- Accommodation for 14 nights including taxes (porterage is not included)
- Daily Continental Breakfast (14 meals)
- Air–conditioned motorcoach and guide for the entire tour
- Orientation tour of Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and Santa Fe
- Admissions to: Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Devils Tower National Monument, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Antelope Island, Colorado National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument, Taos Pueblo, Garden of the Gods and all National Parks
- Train ticket Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (one way, Silverton to Durango)
PLEASE NOTE:
Depending on local health guidelines in place at time of travel, some breakfast meals may be offered on a bagged to-go basis, or omitted.
- Gratuities for tour guide and driver
- Porterage
- Meals unless specified
- Admissions unless specified
- Any expenses of a personal nature
| Day | Overnight | Itinerary highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wingate by Wyndham Denver Airport or similarDenver | Denver - Wingate by Wyndham Denver Airport |
| 2 | Surestay Plus Hotel Cheyenne or similarCheyenne | Rocky Mountain National Park - Departure from Wingate by Wyndham Denver Airport, at 08:00AM |
| 3 | Super 8 Deadwood or similarDeadwood |
Fort Laramie Mount Rushmore Area |
| 4 | Super 8 Cody or similarCody | Big Horn National Forest |
| 5 | Crosswinds Inn o Brandin Iron Inn or similarYellowstone Area | Yellowstone National Park |
| 6 | 49er Inn and Suites o Mountain Modern or similarJackson Hole | Grand Teton National Park |
| 7 | Crystal Inn and Suites or similarSalt Lake City | Antelope Island |
| 8 | Big Horn Lodge o Aarchway Inn or similarMoab | Canyonlands National Park |
| 9 | Super 8 or Hampton Inn Montrose or similarMontrose | Arches National Park |
| 10 | Baymont Inn and Suites Cortez or similarCortez |
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Ouray Silverton - Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Durango |
| 11 | Baymont Albuquerque Airport or similarAlbuquerque |
Mesa Verde National Park Gallup |
| 12 | Inn at Santa Fe or similarSanta Fe | |
| 13 | Quality Inn Pueblo or similarPueblo |
Taos - Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Great Sand Dunes National Park |
| 14 | Wingate by Wyndham Denver Airport or similarDenver |
Garden of the Gods Park Breckenridge |
| 15 | Denver |
| Place | |
|---|---|
| Denver | Wingate by Wyndham Denver Airport or similar |
| Cheyenne | Surestay Plus Hotel Cheyenne or similar |
| Deadwood | Super 8 Deadwood or similar |
| Cody | Super 8 Cody or similar |
| Yellowstone Area | Crosswinds Inn o Brandin Iron Inn or similar |
| Jackson Hole | 49er Inn and Suites o Mountain Modern or similar |
| Salt Lake City | Crystal Inn and Suites or similar |
| Moab | Big Horn Lodge o Aarchway Inn or similar |
| Montrose | Super 8 or Hampton Inn Montrose or similar |
| Cortez | Baymont Inn and Suites Cortez or similar |
| Albuquerque | Baymont Albuquerque Airport or similar |
| Santa Fe | Inn at Santa Fe or similar |
| Pueblo | Quality Inn Pueblo or similar |
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