NATIONAL PARKS OF THE WEST ITINERARY:
Travel West or East – The Westbound Tour is presented here;
The Eastbound Tour begins at 3:00 PM at Walker Field Airport in
Grand Junction and travels to Denver, ending at the Sheraton
Hotel Denver. For the full Eastbound itinerary inquire at the
time of booking.
1. Arrive Denver
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Sheraton Hotel Denver. A transfer from
the airport is not included. Tauck’s adventure through some of
the most beautiful scenery in the U.S. begins at your stylish
hotel in the heart of Denver. Join us tonight for a welcome
cocktail reception and dinner. Meals D
2. Rocky Mountain National Park
Head high into the Rockies on a daylong excursion to Rocky
Mountain National Park. Follow Trail Ridge Road over the tops of
mighty mountain ranges; the views of the canyons, rivers and
valleys thousands of feet below are magnificent. Keep an eye out
for wildlife such as elk, bighorn sheep, or bear as you descend
through the valleys of pine and aspen that lead back to Denver.
Meals B
3. Vail and Aspen, Rockies Resort Towns
Fashionable, trendy, and oh so “hot” – descriptions of Vail
and Aspen, two of the most popular ski resorts in the Rockies!
Spend some free time on your own in Vail Village, dotted with
chalets and boutiques, galleries, and outdoor cafés, then
continue on to Aspen. Explore the area around the Maroon Bells –
twin peaks more than 14,000 ft. high – and arrive at the Inn at
Aspen for two nights. Meals BD
4. Aspen As-You-Please
Your day is free to spend as you please in Aspen, a historic
old mining camp turned glamorous ski resort town; optional
activities (available at additional cost) include golf, tennis,
rafting and horseback riding. Meals B
5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Explore the narrow gorges, sheer rock walls, and dramatic
depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, home to
the Peregrine Falcon, the world’s fastest bird. Continue on to
Durango for an overnight at the Strater Hotel, a Victorian
landmark dating to 1887. Meals BLD
6. Narrow Gauge Railroad / Mesa Verde
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad connects the
two old mining towns on a rail journey through canyon-lined
valleys – travel aboard a private parlor car, a Tauck Exclusive!
Spend the night at a lodge inside Mesa Verde National Park,
where a reception features a private lecture by an
archaeologist. Meals BD
7. Mesa Verde National Park
Today’s exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site
includes a visit to the well-preserved cliff dwellings of
Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here between 600 and 1300 AD,
plus a native heritage luncheon. Enjoy magnificent views of
Canyonlands National Park en route to a two-night luxury resort
stay on the Colorado River in Utah. Meals BLD
8. Arches National Park
Take your choice of horseback riding or river rafting at
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa. An excursion to Arches National
Park, home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, provides
memorable photographs. Join us for a farewell cocktail reception
and dinner tonight. Meals BLD
9. Journey Home
Travel approximately 113 miles today from Moab to Grand
Junction. Tour ends: 9:00 AM at Walker Field Airport. Allow a
minimum of two hours for flight check-in. Meals B
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