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1. Arrive Denver / Colorado Springs
Tour departs: Denve International Airport at 1:00 PM. Welcome
to the beautiful state of Colorado!
Travel south from Denver to the town of Colorado Springs,
located on the plains at the foot of Pikes Peak. Visit the "Garden of
the Gods," a "city park" that is a garden of red rock formations set
against the backdrop of 14,000-ft. Pikes Peak, before arriving at your
hotel. We invite you to join us this evening for a welcome reception
and dinner. Meals D
2. Royal Gorge / Durango
Depart Colorado Springs with Pike's Peak as a backdrop, and head into
the mountains. See Royal Gorge from the highest suspension bridge in
the world, 1,053 feet above the rapids of the Arkansas River. Lunch in
Salida before crossing Poncha Pass to the open grazing lands of San
Luis Valley. Enter the mountains again, crossing the Continental
Divide to arrive in Durango, an old Colorado mining town. Enjoy the
Victorian, "Gay Nineties" atmosphere of the Strater Hotel for two
nights. Meals BLD
3. Mesa Verde National Park
Located in a corner of Colorado adjacent to Utah, Arizona and New
Mexico, Mesa Verde National Park offers much more than scenic
splendor; it contains the well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Pueblo
Indians that date back to 1200 A.D. In addition to seeing the
dwellings, you'll enjoy a picnic on a cliff in a grove of Utah
juniper, with a magnificent view of the canyons below. Return to
Durango, where the rest of the day is at leisure. Meals BL
4. Narrow Gauge Railroad
The last scheduled narrow gauge railroad in the United States connects
the old, romantic mining towns of Durango and Silverton. This half-day
journey meanders through the spectacular canyons of the La Plata and
San Juan Mountains. The railroad clings to canyon walls high above
silver-colored rushing streams, surrounded by snowcapped peaks. As a
Tauck exclusive, we have reserved the Cinco Animas, a private
parlor car at the end of the train. After lunch, continue on the
miraculous million-dollar highway over Red Mountain Pass of the San
Juan Mountains, often called the "Switzerland of America," where
craggy peaks soar. The landscape soon changes as you arrive in the
rolling, red rock land of western Colorado. See the canyons of
Colorado National Monument this afternoon, carved into spires and
gorges by centuries of wind and water. Overnight in the 1800's
railroad and farming town of Grand Junction. Meals BLD
5. Aspen and Vail Resort Towns
Travel via Glenwood Springs to the mountain resort town of Aspen,
where you enjoy an opportunity to explore at your leisure in this
historic old mining town turned glamorous ski resort. Continue along
the Colorado River to Vail for the next two nights. Meals BD
6. Vail at Leisure
Vail Village is a picturesque, alpine community dotted with chalets,
cozy restaurants, outdoor cafés and some of the finest shops in
Colorado; cars are not permitted in Vail Village. For recreation,
there is golf, tennis, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. In the
summer months you can take a gondola to the higher altitudes for
spectacular views. Meals B
7. Rocky Mountain National Park
Cross Vail Pass and parallel the Blue River through Granby, leaving
the foothills and following the splendid Trail Ridge Road of Rocky
Mountain National Park over the tops of the mighty mountain ranges.
Views of the canyons, rivers and valleys lying thousands of feet below
are magnificent. After crossing the Continental Divide, descend to
Estes Park and on through the valleys of pine and aspen that lead to
Denver. Should inclement weather close Trail Ridge, the alternate
route traverses Berthoud Pass. Join us tonight for a farewell
reception and dinner. Meals BD
8. Journey Home
Tour ends: Denver International Airport at 9:30 AM.
Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in. Meals B
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8 Days / 7 Nights from $1,630
Begins Denver
May 22, 29
Jun 5, 12, 19, 26
Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
Sep 4, 11, 18
Additional departure dates may become available as these sell out.
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Price Per Person
Double $1630
Single $2043
Triple $1539 (twin with roll-away)
15 Meals Included.
Special
Airfares -
Airfare to and from Denver is additional. Tauck offers
special round-trip airfares, subject to availability; inquire at
time of booking.
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Night 1
Wyndham Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
Night 2,3
The Strater Hotel
Durango, CO
Night 4
Grand Junction Adam's Mark
Grand Junction, CO
Night 5,6
The Lodge at Vail
Vail, CO
Night 7
The Brown Palace Hotel
Denver, CO
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