Colorado Active Adventure

Welcome to Durango! Your Active Colorado tour begins in this historic former mining town where you can stretch your legs or find a spot along the Animas River to rest up before kick-starting your adrenalin-filled journey at a Welcome Reception where you’ll get to know your Travel Director and fellow adventurers.

Combine history and hiking – at Mesa Verde, a UNESCO-listed treasure where you’ll see surreal structures carved into sandstone thousands of years ago. Take a walk along Point Lookout Trail where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views, then grab a bite to eat before an afternoon of culture within the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. There’s time to view Spruce Tree House before choosing your next hike, then spend the evening as you wish.

Today you’ll head to the charming Victorian-style Silverton, the start of the Million Dollar Highway. Marvel at the scenery along this dramatic stretch of road to Ouray, a tiny treasure in the heart of the snow-capped mountains. It’s an excellent base for hiking options for this afternoon. The perfect place to unwind is in the balmy mineral waters of tonight’s Stays With Stories overnight.

For two million years the Gunnison River has sculpted a vertical wilderness which you’ll experience on your Rim Rock Trail hike. Later, travel to Talbott’s Cider Company and Connect With Locals for a fantastic Be My Guest experience, a sixth-generation family business where your host, a family member, will share life on a farm before a cider tasting, lunch and a browse at the farmer’s market before making our way to Grand Junction.

Start today's adventure with varies levels of trails including a mile-long loop past sites where dinosaur bones have been unearthed or a hike into the midst of the Colorado National Monument. A picnic lunch awaits before tackling the Serpent’s Trail. You could choose to continue the adventure later with an optional bike ride through Palisade’s vineyards.

Visiting the mighty Rockies is one of the highlights in Colorado, and they are today’s constant companion as you make your way via Glenwood Springs through Glenwood Canyon to the ski-resort village of Vail, where you can explore before continuing to Breckenridge, your base for three nights. Here you’ll hear stories of gold and silver mining, railroading and outlaws – and you’ll get a real sense of what it’s like to live in this resort community.

You’re in for a memorable adventure in the swirl of the Colorado River with a rafting experience this morning. It’s calm enough to enjoy the scenery along the banks while your skilled guide shares the inside track about local wildlife. Feeling exhilarated after the experience, you’ll stop for a riverside lunch then Connect With Locals and have an opportunity to learn about Coloradan life from a local guide before hitting the town in the evening.

The renowned Rocky Mountain National Park, with its 60 peaks, alpine lakes and beautiful meadow valleys is your playground today. But first stop for lunch at Grand Lake to fuel up for the afternoon’s adventure. You’ll travel on the Trail Ridge Road to its highest point, where the views are out of this world before heading to Estes Park for a relaxing evening.

Start the day with an ambassador of the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center, who’ll share insights about wildlife and conservation at this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Beyond providing you with important insights, through your visit you’ll be helping the organization with its efforts. This afternoon, make your pick of Rock Mountain National Park trails  to explore. Richly rewarded by this incredible hiking experience and all the attractions you’ve seen, you’ll have plenty of stories to share during tonight’s Farewell Dinner.