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Trafalgar Tour Map

Trafalgar - Colorado Active Adventure (06/2023 - 10/2023) (DCOHN18)

11 Days From Durango to Denver (CO)
Tour Style: Regional
Trafalgar Brochure Price from $3,639.00
Brochures: USA Canada and Central America 2023, V1 USA Canada and Central America 2024
Visits: United States

Crafted for hikers and high-altitude fans, this Active Adventure through Colorado National Parks and beyond is the perfect top-of-the-world vacation with canyon and mountain views only fellow hikers get to see. From wildflowers and rafting to magnificent peaks and local flavors.
Choice Highlights
  • Breckenridge: Take on a straightforward yet challenging hike, and stunning 360-degree views of Summit County and its Tenmile Range over a 7 mile round trip.
  • Breckenridge: Choose a guided hike with a professional guide that shares knowledge of mountain history and geography while you enjoy what Summit County has to offer.
  • Breckenridge: Try rock climbing and experience a day of rock climbing in the mountains of Summit County with a professionally-certified guide.

Must-see Highlights
  • : Explore Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum inside Mesa Verde National Park
  • : View Cliff Palace Overlook, and Spruce Tree House
  • : Visit Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Breckenridge, Grand Junction, Palisades, Vail, Estes Park
  • : Scenic Drive Million Dollar Highway, Colorado National Monument Rim Rock Drive, Glenwood Canyon, and Trail Ridge Road
  • : Hike Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument and trails in the Rocky Mountains
  • Mesa Verde National Park: Kick off the day with the Point Lookout Trail and indulge in breathtaking views of the Montezuma and Mancos Valleys below.
  • Mesa Verde National Park: Choose between the more challenging Petroglyph Point Trail, or the shorter Farming Terrace Trail located in Mesa Verde National Park.
  • Silverton: Take off for a spectacular drive on the Million Dollar Highway this morning, offering breathtaking mountain, valley and gorge views.
  • Ouray: Take a tour of the town, followed by a selection of hiking options. Try Ouray's Perimeter Trail, Box Cañon Falls or the Falls Trail.
  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: The must-see surreal landscapes comprising ancient rock faces, rugged spires and steep cliffs are just some of the highlights of this canyon, which was carved by the Gunnison River over two million years ago.
  • Colorado National Monument: Start the day early today to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day for some incredible hiking and activity options: hike Independence Monument Loop or Dinosaur Hill Trailhead or arrange for mountain biking or horseback riding.
  • Colorado National Monument: Drive along the Rim Rock drive at Colorado National Monument with several stops along the way.
  • Colorado National Monument: Hike down "the crookedest road in the world," Serpents Trail, a historic trail through Wingate Sandstone.
  • Breckenridge: Choose a guided hike with a professional guide that shares knowledge of mountain history and geography while you enjoy what Summit County has to offer.
  • Breckenridge: Try rock climbing and experience a day of rock climbing in the mountains of Summit County with a professionally-certified guide.
  • Breckenridge: Take on a straightforward yet challenging hike, and stunning 360-degree views of Summit County and its Tenmile Range over a 7 mile round trip.
  • Breckenridge: Choose a guided hike with a professional guide that shares knowledge of mountain history and geography while you enjoy what Summit County has to offer.
  • Breckenridge: Try rock climbing and experience a day of rock climbing in the mountains of Summit County with a professionally-certified guide.
  • Rocky Mountain National Park: Drive at 12,183 feet on Trail Ridge Road and cut through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Iconic Experience
  • Mesa Verde: Enjoy an in-depth visit to fascinating Mesa Verde National Park and observe some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United States.
  • Mesa Verde National Park: Continue through the Mesa Verde National Park with stops along the way and finally Cliff Palace Overlook.
  • Mesa Verde National Park: Catch amazing views at the overlooks in Mesa Verde of Spruce Tree House, the third largest and best preserved cliff dwelling in the park.
  • Silverton: A secluded town that sits at 9,318 feet, Silverton is the perfect combination of supreme natural beauty and magnificent Victorian charm.
  • Ouray: Visit Ouray, a mountain town at almost 8,000 feet elevation in a river valley, surrounded by the snow-capped San Juan Mountains. Its rich history dates back to 1876 after Colorado became a state.
  • Fruita: As you approach Colorado National Monument, stop at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center which houses a great exhibition on the history of the monument and the spectacular landscape it encompasses.
  • Glenwood Springs: Traverse through scenic Glenwood Canyon, a 12.5 mi (20 km) canyon on the Colorado River in western Colorado.
  • Breckenridge: This mountain town is culturally rich and historically significant, with a Victorian flare that pays homage to the mining spirit of Breckenridge’s past. This Rocky Mountain gem has something for everyone, especially for lovers of all things outdoors.
  • Colorado River: Take on a Colorado River Rafting experience with an introduction to white water rafting along with a river-side lunch and natural hot springs at certain water flows.
  • Rocky Mountain National Park: The Alpine Visitor Center is the highest facility of its kind in the National Park Service. Visit this this center in the sky and experience sweeping views of the valleys below, along with access to the alpine tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park a short alpine-tundra trail that makes you feel like you're on top of the world!

Dive Into Culture
  • Mesa Verde National Park: Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, one of the oldest in the National Park Service and get an illustrating view of the Ancestral Puebloan life and a chance to discover prehistoric artifacts, a chronology of Ancestral Puebloan culture, and other items related to the park.

Trafalgar Difference
  • Ouray: Take advantage of the hot springs during a stay at the Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs. Offering scenic views right next to Million Dollar Highway, it is the perfect mountain getaway.

Be My Guest
  • Palisade (CO): Travel to Talbott’s Cider Company 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.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Rocky Mountain National Park: Join a private presentation from an ambassador of the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center and learn the importance of wildlife conservation while supporting environmental education programs.

Trafalgar Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome To Durango
Welcome to Colorado! Your active 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. Kick-start your adrenalin-filled journey at a Welcome Reception where you’ll get to know your Travel Director and fellow adventurers.
Visits: Durango
Meals: Welcome Reception
Accommodation: Strater Hotel, Durango
Day 2Follow The Trails Of Mesa Verde National Park
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.
Visits: Durango, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Strater Hotel, Durango
Day 3The Million Dollar Highway To Ouray Stays With Stories
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.
Visits: Durango, Silverton, Ouray
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs
Day 4Explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Connect with Locals
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, a sixth-generation family business for a fantastic Be My Guest experience. Your host, a member of the family, will share stories of life on a farm before a cider tasting, lunch and a browse at the farmer’s market before making our way to Grand Junction.
Visits: Ouray, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Grand Junction
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Accommodation: Springhill Suites
Day 5Pick Your Trail Around Colorado National Monument
Start today's adventure with various difficulty levels of trails to choose from, 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.
Visits: Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Springhill Suites
Day 6Sightseeing In The Colorado Rockies
Visiting the mighty Rockies is one of the highlights in Colorado. 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.
Visits: Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Vail
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
Day 7A Wild Ride On The Colorado River Connect with Locals
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.
Visits: Breckenridge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
Day 8Adventure In The Rockies
Colorado is one of the world’s top hiking destinations and today’s adventures are at altitudes around 9,600 feet. You have three choices: Option one is a hike with a guide in Summit County. Or you could try beginners’ rock climbing with a certified guide. Thirdly, experienced hikers could choose an Optional Experience ‘14er’, a strenuous hike which climbs to 14,000 feet with a professional guide leading the way. End the action-packed day with dinner in Breckenridge.
Visits: Breckenridge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Regional Dinner
Accommodation: Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
Day 9Sightseeing In Rocky Mountain National Park
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.
Visits: Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ridgeline Resort
Day 10A Day Of Hiking In The Rockies Make Travel Matter
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, take your pick of Rocky 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.
Visits: Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Ridgeline Resort
Day 11Depart Denver
It may be time to head home, but we’re not quite ready to say goodbye. Returning to Denver at the end of the tour, there’s a final stop at the Colorado Cherry Company, a fourth-generation family business where you’ll enjoy some juicy produce or buy some for the road. Bid farewell to your Travel Director and new friends – or perhaps you’ll extend your trip in the ‘Mile High City’. Airport arrival at 12:30p.m, please be aware when booking flights.
Visits: Estes Park, Denver
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17

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