Parks, Canyons & the Great Outdoors
Sample itineraries
Contrasting Colorado and Utah Tour
From £1575
Wow, this sure is a contrasting journey of discovery from the mighty, majestic mountains of lush Colorado to the red sandstone canyons and incredible National Parks of stunning Utah.
Highlights:
- Denver
- Black Canyon of Gunnison
- Historictowns of Telluride and Ouray
- The drive along the Million Dollar Highway
- Durango and The Silverton to Durango Railway
-
Mese Verde National Park
- Iconic Monument Valley
- The Canyonlands
- Rocky Mountain National Park
-
Aspen
Price per person includes:
- Return flights to Denver, Colorado
- Airport taxes
- 13 nights accommodation in sought after locations
- 14 days mid-size car hire
- A personalised road book which is a complete guide to travelling within North America and provides bespoke driving instructions for your holiday.
Time to visit: late April-November
Prices are based on off-season. Please call or email for prices for your preferred date of travel.
Day 1 Denver - Arrival
Arrive in Denver for the start of your journey of contrasts from the lush greenery of Colorado to the arid lands of Utah. We suggest you check out Colorado's cosmopolitan nightlife before your set off.
Day 2 Denver - Gunnison
Distance: 218 miles
Make the most of today's journey by starting early and heading west out of Denver and along HWY 24 to Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the US, with magnificent views across ice-laden mounts Elbert and Massive, Colorado's two highest peaks. Its old redbrick street is full of character and it's a great place to stop for lunch. Take the rest of the day to drive slowly through this areas splendid scenery before you arrive in sleepy Gunnison for your first nights stop.
Day 3 - 4 Gunnison to Telluride or Ouray
Distance: 129 miles
Plan to arrive in Black Canyon of Gunnison early morning, to make the most this unique eerie and unsettling place. The walls are composed of volcanic schist predominantly black in colour, as the gorge reaches depths of over 2000 feet with only 1500 feet across, sunlight rarely illuminates the walls, hence the name “Black Canyon” Onwards to your next stop the quaint and picturesque towns of Ouray and Telluride, nestled in the Mountains and justifiably known as “the Switzerland of America”
Day 5 -6 Telluride or Ouray - Durango
Distance: 80 miles
The meandering US550 known as the scenic Million Dollar Highway will ease you into Durango, once a rail junction for the Gold Rush community and now a bustling town. Great for white water rafting and mountain biking and most importantly the station for the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a steam train that departs daily to Silverton -a must see-allow us to prebook this for you.
Day 7 Durango to Mesa Verde National Park
Distance: 55 miles
Mesa Verde is the only American National Park that protects man-made structures, as opposed to natural features. In hilly, inaccessible country south of Cortez, there are over 4,000 separate historic ruins, many of them large structures built under steep, overhanging cliffs in narrow canyons. This is the most famous and highly visited archaeological site in the US. The Park is also close to Four Corners, the only point where 4 states meet.
Day 8 Mesa Verde - Monument Valley
Distance: 158 miles
Just how many times have you seen this area in films? Perhaps the most photographed landscape in America, this valley of monoliths and buttes has been a favourite Hollywood backdrop for years. Still a traditional Navajo homeland, the local tribes will be happy to give you guided horseback or jeep tours of this legendary tribal park. Have your cameras at the ready for sun up and sun down-truly mesmerizing.
Day 9 - 10 Monument Valley - Moab
Distance: 168 miles
Moab is a charming western town with scenes from Geronimo, City Slickers and Thelma and Louise were all filmed round here. More importantly it's an ideal spot to explore the nearby Parks. Arches National Park features the worlds greatest concentration of natural stone arches, be sure to view Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock. Whereas Canyonlands is an “island in the sky” a high broad mesa (6000ft) with three spectacular major view points. Both are wildernesses of rock and simply stunning.
Day 11 Moab - Aspen
Distance: 240 miles
En route to Aspen stop a while at Grand Junction -known as a palaeontologist’s playground and home to the greatest prehistoric bones ever recovered. Pristine Mountain locked Aspen will delight you; this appealing place is a haven for fine restaurants and even finer shopping. Very pleasant quaint place to while away an evening.
Day 12 - 13 Aspen - Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance: 246 miles
A tenth the size of Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park is undeniably beautiful, straddling the Continental Divide with elevations in excess of 10,000 feet. A third of the park is above the tree line and large areas of snow never melt. Large arctic-style areas of tundra mix with mountain meadows and rich forests. Perfect end to your journey of contrasts.
Day 14 Estes Park - Denver
Distance: 70 miles
A late breakfast and a leisurely drive back to Denver airport for your journey home.
This journey of contrasts doesn't have to end here! Want to explore further on into Wyoming, South Dakota or Montana, or perhaps spend more time in either Utah or Colorado? We have ranches, hotels or luxury resorts we can recommend. Our holidays are flexible, call us to discuss the options available to you.
