DAY 1: YOUR ROCKY MOUNTAIN JOURNEY BEGINS
Make your arrival to Denver, Colorado. Upon arrival, meet our representative for our included Meet-and-Greet and Arrival Transfer to our hotel in beautiful downtown Denver. Once arrived, you may check-in to your room (rooms are typically ready after 2pm) and freshen up before you meet your Journey Tour Director for a very special welcome to Colorado.
Discovery Walk
Meet your Journey Tour Director for a discovery walk through Denver and Lodo (Lower Downtown) and learn about the fascinating history and stories of the Mile High City.
Welcome to Colorado!
We're excited to have you on this Journey. Your Tour Director will greet you with our special traditional Journey welcome.
Welcome to Denver Dinner
Your Journey Tour Director will select a variety of appetizers, featuring regional cuisine, and will select your wine for the evening (or if you prefer alcohol-free beverages we've got great offerings!). Then you will be presented with the restaurant's primary menu. It's an intentionally relaxed evening of delight so you can savor the experience. Welcome to Colorado!
Accommodation in Denver, 1 Night with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel Teatro or Similar
Classic: Holiday Inn Express or Similar
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DAY 2: DENVER EXPLORER - TO ESTES PARK
Breakfast included daily
Today's Adventure: History of Denver, Colorado
We enjoy a walking and driving tour of Denver where we learn of its colorful past. We enjoy a visit to Denver's Union Station, the historic 19th century landmark Larimer Square and take in views of the iconic designed Coors Field, Denver Art Museum and Mile High Stadium as we make our way northward.
We make our way to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountaion National Park. Estes Park was bestowed on the valley by William Byers, founding editor of the Rocky Mountain News, in honor of its first permanent Anglo residents, Kentuckian Joel Estes and his wife, Patsy. Byers, on his way to a failed attempt to climb Longs Peak in 1864, stayed with the Estes family and paid his hosts $2.20 for food and lodging. Writing of the experience for the News, Byers predicted that “eventually this park will become a favorite pleasure resort." He was correct in his prediction!
We arrive our hotel, check-in and freshen up before meeting the Tour Director for a special welcome.
Welcome to Estes Park Dinner
Your Journey Tour Director will host a special dinner tonight.
Accommodation in Estes Park, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: The Stanley Hotel or Similar
Classic: Discovery Lodge or Similar
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DAY 3: ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy breakfast in the fresh mountain air and then we're off to explore The Rocky.
Today's Adventure: Rocky Mountain National Park Explorer
We enjoy special entrance to the park today and take in absolutely amazing views and perspectives. It's high elevation so hydration is key and your Tour Director will make sure you're comfortable.
About ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Rocky Mountain National Park spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. It's known for the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that pass aspen trees and rivers. The Keyhole Route, a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain.
We return to our hotel for an evening at leisure. Join the Tour Director tonight for an optional dinner or explore Estes Park on your own.
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DAY 4: INTO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Today's Adventure: Go West!
Today we continue our exploration of the Rockies as we make our way to beautiful Vail, Colorado. Vail is a small town at the base of Vail Mountain, home of the massive Vail Ski Resort. Set within White River National Forest, the town is a gateway for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
Discovery Walk
Upon arrival, we check-in, freshen up and meet the Tour Director for our Discovery Walk.
Welcome to Vail Dinner
Your Journey Tour Director will host a special dinner tonight.
Accommodation in Vail, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: The Sebastian Hotel or Similar
Classic: Evergreen Lodge or Similar
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DAY 5: ROCKY MOUNTAINS AT LEISURE
Today enjoy a complete day at leisure to soak up the Mountains. Perhaps it's a spa treatment, a downhill mountain bike adventure or just enjoy the shops in Vail, whatever your preference it's the perfect day!
Tonight, join the Tour Director for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 6: PIKE'S PEAK AND GARDEN OF THE GODS
Today's Adventure: Colorado Springs
We continue our tour of the Rocky Mountains and make our way to Colorado Springs, home to the Pike's Peak, the Air Force Academy and the Garden of the Gods natural park.
A Peak By Any Other Name
The 14,115-foot summit rises over the plains with a majesty all its own. Originally called "Sun Mountain," by the Ute people, it was renamed by the Arapaho people to "the Long Mountain." Spanish explorers in the 1700s renamed it to Montana del Sol, or Mountain of the Sun which was borrowed from the local people at that time. They originally renamed it El Capitan or The Captain or Leader.
In 1806, US explorer Zebulon Pike traveled to Colorado as part of his expedition into the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. He set sights on the peak soon after entering the Colorado area, and quickly tried (and failed) to climb it. In his journal entries, he called the mountain both “the Grand Peak” and simply “Highest Peak.” The latter name became popular with Anglo-American explorers, trappers, and settlers. Many of them began to refer to it as “Pike’s Highest Peak.” Some chose instead to call it by the less popular name “James Peak” in honor of Edwin James, a botanist who was the first person known to reach its summit, while others maintained the Spanish name El Capitán.
Discovery Walk
Upon arrival, we check-in, freshen up and meet the Tour Director for our Discovery Walk.
Welcome to Colorado Springs Dinner
Your Journey Tour Director will host a special dinner tonight.
Accommodation in Colorado Springs, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: The Mining Exchange Hotel or Similar
Classic: Hilton Garden Inn or Similar
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DAY 7: COLORADO SPRINGS AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure on your last day in Colorado — we have many sightseeing options or just enjoy a shop around town.
Our Special Journey Finalé
Meet early this evening for our special Aperitive to celebrate our time together on America's Rocky Mountains Adventure. Our days have been filled with new sights, tastes and discoveries - tonight enjoy reflecting on the incredible journey we've had together.
It has been a Journey of Adventure and Discovery, along with making new friends! Until our next Journey — Good Travels!
Journey is Different: After our special event your Journey Tour Director will invite you to join them to an optional dinner, or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY
The transfer to Denver International Airport is included this morning.