9-Nights Welcome to Colorado from $3,821

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1506049

Welcome To Colorado
Enjoy Colorado sightseeing visiting Rocky Mountain and Mesa Verde National Parks, hearing captivating tales of the Gold Rush, ride aboard historic trains and drive the scenic "Million Dollar" and Peak to Peak Highways against the unforgettable backdrop of red-rock country.

Dining Summary

5 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Palisade: This evening, 'Connect With Locals,' at Maison La Belle Vie Winery , as you meet the owners for an exclusive evening, starting with a tour of the winery and tasting the flavors of their lovingly blended estate-grown reds. Then sit down for a 3-course dinner paired with wines adjacent the 4.5 acre vineyard and al fresco under the Colorado Sky!

Dive Into Culture

Aspen: Wind along country roads passing elk habitat and views of the Elk Mountain Range as you journey out of Aspen and up Snowmass Mountain. As you climb, you'll venture off road, past small waterfalls and through open meadows, and aspen groves. When you reach Coney Glade Overlook you'll be able to take in the amazing views as your local experts will explain the history and geology of the area.

Iconic Experience

: Denver, Boulder, Vail, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Palisade, Silverton, Durango, Ouray, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs
Rocky Mountain National Park: 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.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, Trail Ridge Road more than lives up to its advanced billing. Eleven miles of this high highway travel above treeline, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park's evergreen forests come to a halt. As it winds across the tundra's vastness to its high point at 12,183 feet elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) offers visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of their car.
Vail: Welcome to one of Colorado's great playgrounds. While the winter attracts the ski crowds, the summer draws in guests to the European-style Vail Village. Surrounded by towering Rocky Mountain peaks, the pedestrian village offers a unique mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. Feel the friendly local vibe that makes Vail cosmopolitan and unpretentious.
Aspen: A typical mountain lunch will be served, complete with bonfire, s'mores, and live western entertainment. Before lunch you can try your hand at horseshoeing, cornholing, and using a lasso.
Aspen: This morning, head up Colorado's Rocky Mountains to Aspen, renowned the world over as a resort for the rich and famous, with high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants. Join your Travel Director for a guided walk through the delightful center of town.
: Head for Palisade, known as the 'Peach and Wine Capital of Colorado,' perfectly nestled along the Colorado River. Stop at the Clark Family Orchards and 'Connect with Locals' as you meet with family members and learn about the history of this 7-generation farming family and their 7-generation orchards. You'll also get an opportunity to sample fresh in-season produce, salsas, jams and preserves, pickled veggies, grilling sauces and salad dressings. In addition to ten varieties of the famous Palisade Peaches, a wide variety of other fruit and vegetables are also grown on property (production varies depending on seasons).
: One of the hidden gems in the Western USA, Colorado National Monument is a stunning section of land sitting atop the Colorado Plateau. The views offer dramatic panoramic photo opportunities of Monument Canyon (Independence Monument and Monument Canyon View Overlooks), the monument's most prominent attraction and runs the entire width of the park. You will also learn the controversy of why Colorado National Monument has yet to be designated as a National Park. (Possible viewing stop at Red Canyon and/or Cold Point Shivers Overlook on the way out toward the East Side entrance.) Drive along Rim Rock Drive enjoying spectacular views all around you.
Silverton: From Ouray, ride along the famous "Million Dollar Highway," one of the most beautiful roads in America, designated as an All-American Byway of Colorado's most spectacular views as it spirals over Coal Bank Summit, Molas Pass, and Red Mountain Pass. Arrive in the mining town of Silverton, once a bawdy mining town.
Mesa Verde National Park: There’s no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Preserve: Today's highlight is the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, a sandbox of epic proportions - 39 square miles (101 square kilometers) with the tallest dune towering 750 feet high (229 meters), making it the largest sand dune in North America. Start at the excellent Visitor Center with a short film, various exhibits and Park Rangers to answer your questions about this unique geographical phenomenon. The back of the Visitor Center gives you a unique view of the full breadth of the dunes, framed by the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Your Travel Director will then take you to the best place for picture taking from the bottom of High Dune, a towering sand dune about 699 feet (198 m) from

9 nights from $3,821 per person

Valid for new bookings deposited April 1, 2024 – May 30, 2024 for travel from April 8, 2024 – November 30, 2024

*Promotion may not be combinable with any other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Itinerary

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Itinerary Details

Trafalgar Tours: Welcome to Colorado

Day 1 - Good Day Denver
Welcome to Denver, the Mile High City. Spend the day recovering after your travels or explore Denver at your leisure before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a Welcome Reception.
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Denver At Colorado Convention Center
Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Traverse the Rocky Mountains Stays With Stories
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, a designated national scenic byway and the highest continuous paved highway in America. Arrive at the charming Hotel Boulderado, your Stays With Stories and Colorado's top rated historic hotel, located one block from the city’s hub for dining, arts, shopping and, of course, people watching. This evening you will have free time to explore on your own.
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Urban Farming and Picturesque Towns Make Travel Matter
Start the day with a guided MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and visit a local urban community farm that is using organic and sustainable farming practices. The 1-hour tour will dive into topics including regenerative agriculture, land conservation, and food access. Your next stop is Colorado's oldest tourist attraction, the Georgetown Loop Railroad, completed in the late 19th century. Then walk along the cobblestone streets of the picturesque Vail Mountain Resort and feel the fresh mountain air in your lungs. Continue to Glenwood Springs, a resort city known for its hot springs, sitting in the rugged Rocky Mountains, surrounded by the vast White River National Forest. This evening, your Stay With Stories overnight is the historic and iconic Colorado Hotel in the heart of Glenwood Springs. Built in 1893 during the mining boom, the Colorado Hotel has undergone a complete renovation, bringing it back to its former glory as the Grande Dame of Glenwood Springs having hosted historical figures including Teddy Roosevelt, William Taft, Molly Brown and now, you.
Accommodations: Hotel Colorado
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Admire Aspen
Head up Colorado's Rocky Mountains to Aspen, known for its high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants. Join your Travel Director for a walk through town. Then an exciting and exclusive experience awaits you as you will be taken by 4WD jeeps from Aspen up Snowmass Mountain for an exciting excursion. As you climb Snowmass, you will venture off road, through Aspen groves, past small waterfalls and through open meadows overlooking amazing views of the surrounding valleys. Your Local Experts will explain the history and geology of the area, including how ice age mammal bones, including Saber-toothed Tigers and Wooly Mammoths were found in the reservoir below. Arrive at the historic Burlingmane Cabin, and try your hand at horseshoes, corn hole, or relax and admire the breathtaking views of the mountain ranges while the staff tends to all your needs. Enjoy a delicious lunch hot off the grill with wine and beer, a campfire, live music, and s'mores. Back in Glenwood Springs, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Perhaps, visit the renowned Glenwood Hot Springs, the world's largest mineral hot springs pool.
Accommodations: Hotel Colorado
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Savor the Flavors of Colorado Connect with Locals
Head for Palisade, known as the 'Peach and Wine Capital of Colorado,' perfectly nestled along the Colorado River. Stop at Clark Family Orchards and Connect with Locals as you meet with Clark family members and learn about the history of this farming family. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of the orchards before sampling fresh in-season produce. You’ll have the chance to bring home some unique salsas, jams and preserves, pickled veggies, grilling sauces and salad dressings. After, we head on to Colorado National Monument, preserving one of the grandest landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. Experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. This evening, stay in the heart of wine country and enjoy a Be My Guest experience dinner at the Maison La Belle Vie Winery. You will be hosted by the owner for an exclusive evening, starting with a tour of the winery and tasting the flavors of their lovingly blended estate-grown reds. Then sit down for a 3-course dinner paired with wines adjacent the 4.5 acre vineyard and al fresco under the Colorado Sky!
Accommodations: Wine Country Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Journey Through The Rustic Rockies Stays With Stories
Head up the Western Slopes along the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and stop 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.” From Ouray, ride along the famous "Million Dollar Highway," a designated All-American Byway and one of the state’s most scenic drives with some of Colorado’s most spectacular views as it spirals over Coal Bank Summit, Molas Pass, and Red Mountain Pass. Arrive in the mining town of Silverton, once a bawdy mining town, 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 which would be inaccessible by car. This evening, you'll enjoy a night at The Strater Hotel, one of the West’s first iconic hotels and the centerpiece of Durango, your Stays with Story.
Accommodations: Strater Hotel, Durango
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Unmask Mesa Verde National Park
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 excursion on the Animas River. This evening, the choice is yours with a selection of Durango's restaurants for a Your Choice Dining experience.
Accommodations: Strater Hotel, Durango
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Discover The Great Sand Dunes
Today's highlight is the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, a sandbox of epic proportions- 101 square kilometers with the tallest dune towering 229 meters high, making it the largest sand dune in North America. First up, set the scene for the adventure ahead with a start at the excellent Visitor Center with a short film and various exhibits. Your Travel Director will then take you to the best place for picture taking from the bottom of High Dune, a towering sand dune about 198 meters from base to top. Then learn about this unique geographical phenomenon as you explore the dunes.
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Traverse To Majestic Pikes Peak
This morning, head to Olympic City USA, a 1.7-acre of land dedicated to Team USA. Visit the brand-new US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame. You will be guided through the museum gaining unique insight into the daily lives and regimen of Team USA highlighting the origins of the ancient and modern Olympic and Paralympic Games, the legacy of U.S. Olympic & Paralympic athletes, and the stories behind the artifacts. Enjoy the magical town of Manitou Springs before boarding the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog railroad, for an unforgettable trip to the 4,302 meters summit of Pikes Peak. Ride past cascading streams and forests of aspen and pine, enjoy the striking panoramas and learn of Pikes Peak connection with the patriotic song "America the Beautiful.' Your trip through the Colorado Rockies comes to an end with a local Farewell Dinner where you’ll have the chance to raise a glass and celebrate the adventures we’ve had in Colorado.
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 - Roam the Garden of the Gods
Our journey ends today as we say a fond farewell to new friends and depart Colorado Springs for Denver, but not before one last stop at yet another natural wonder of Colorado at the spectacular Garden of the Gods, a registered National Natural Landmark boasting dramatic vistas and towering, jagged red-rock formations. After some free time, you will be joined by a Garden of the Gods Local Specialist for a guided scenic loop drive around the central Garden zone and spurs out to Ridge Road and Balanced Rock for views of North and South Gateway Rocks, Gray Rock, Montezuma Tower, Scotsman Picnic Area, High Point, Siamese Twins, Steamboat Rock, and Balanced Rock where we’ll say our goodbyes to the group. After a final big morning, transfer to Denver International Airport, arrival at approximately 12:30, please be aware when booking flights.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Colorado Springs

Great Sand Dunes National Monument

Durango

Palisade

Glenwood Springs

Rocky Mountains National Park

Located 60 mi/95 km northwest of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is a large area that includes magnificent peaks, valleys and nature trails. One of the park's most popular and fascinating features is the tundra that exists above the tree line (11,500 ft/3,505 m).

You can get a good look at the tundra by taking Trail Ridge Road, the park's main thoroughfare. This is a spectacularly scenic drive, parts of which evoke images of the Arctic. The 48-mi/77-km road climbs above the tree line and crosses the Continental Divide, reaching a maximum elevation of 12,183 ft/3,713 m. It's the highest continuously paved highway in the U.S. and is open only from Memorial Day through late October, depending on weather conditions, although the park is open year-round. Don't be surprised if you feel a little light-headed and your car sounds a little different chugging through the thin air.

With more than 350 mi/565 km of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker's paradise. Outings can range from day hikes to very strenuous multiday excursions. Among the wildlife in the park are elk, mule, deer, mountain sheep and even some elusive moose on the park's west side along the Colorado River.

The park can be explored by car, horseback, bicycle, snowshoes and, of course, on foot. The variety of hikes includes paved wheelchair-accessible routes to scaling to the top of Longs Peak at 14,259 ft/4,420 m and plenty in between for amateur day hikers. Be prepared for major crowds if you visit in the summer. In fact, you'd be smart to avoid the park on weekends, when traffic through Estes Park and into Rocky Mountain National Park inches along. Fall is a wonderful season to go, with fewer crowds, golden aspen leaves and huge herds of bugling elks.

Snowshoeing in the winter is also wonderful. The park has five campgrounds that are accessible by automobile. Two of them—Moraine Park and Glacier Basin—require reservations in the summer but are first-come, first-serve in the off-season. Campfire programs, many geared to the family, are held each evening. For hikers, there are additional backcountry campsites, though you'll need a permit for an overnight excursion. http://www.nps.gov/romo.

Denver

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

06/01/2024 - 06/10/2024

from $3,821 per person *

06/22/2024 - 07/01/2024

from $4,345 per person *

07/06/2024 - 07/15/2024

from $4,345 per person

07/20/2024 - 07/29/2024

from $3,960 per person

08/10/2024 - 08/19/2024

from $3,905 per person *

09/07/2024 - 09/16/2024

from $3,890 per person

09/14/2024 - 09/23/2024

from $4,341 per person *

09/21/2024 - 09/30/2024

from $3,969 per person

09/28/2024 - 10/07/2024

from $3,911 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $3,821 per person

Length

9 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability and change without notice. Prices reflect land only accommodations, airfare is additional. Blackout dates/seasonal supplements may apply. Itinerary and map subject to change. Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.

* For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
* Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1506049

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