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If
scenic routes can ever be made more unforgettable, it is by combining them. And
if you have the time and inclination, you won't ever find a journey more
stunning in Rock Mountain wilderness and cultural ambiance, than those
that will lead to the San Juan
Mountains of south-western Colorado. Following are four
options that pack the best that Colorado has to offer:
3
nights / 4 days:
Day
1: Denver, Frisco, over Freemont Pass
11,360 ft, Leadville, Salida, via Monarch Pass 11,312 ft to Gunnison, and on to Crested Butte,
a secluded mountain town in the ravishingly stunning heartkand of the Colorado
Rockies.
Overnight in Crested Butte.
Day 2:
Crested Butte via the amazing Black Canyon, Montrose to Telluride, an Old West
town surrounded by sharp spires of some of Colorado's most awesome peaks. Overnight in Telluride.
Day 3:
Telluride via Quray, a resort of hot springs, to Silverton and on to Durango by road over Molas Divide 10,222
ft and the Red Mountain Pass 11,018 ft, an incredible ride which is even more
mesmerizing if done by the Silverton Historic Railroad. Overnight
in Durango, the outdoor Mecca of south-western Colorado.
Day 4:
Durango via Pagosa
Springs, South Fork, Alamosa, La Veta Pass to Pueblo, Colorado Springs and back to Denver.
5
nights / 6 days:
Day
1: Denver, Firsco, over Freemont Pass
11,360 ft, Leadville, Salida, via Monarch Pass 11,312 ft to Gunnison, and on to Crested Butte.
Overnight in Crested Butte.
Day 2:
Crested Butte via Black Canyon, Montrose to Telluride. Overnight in Telluride.
Day 3:
Telluride to Durango via Cortez and the Mesa Verde National Park, the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of the ancient cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians. Overnight in Durango.
Day 4:
Durango to Redstone or Grand Junction; Durango
to
Silverton by road or by historic railroad (option), and from here on via Quray, Delta, to
either Redstone
or Grand Junction. Overnight in Redstone or Grand Junction.
Day 5:
Redstone via Carbondale, or Grand Junction via the incredible highway through
Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs and on to Aspen, a picturesque Victorian
town and famous ski-resort come hide-away destination for the rich amidst some
of Colorado's most wonderful natural spleanor. Overnight in Aspen.
Day 6:
Aspen via Independence Pass, 12,095 ft,
to old gold and silver mining town of Leadville and from Leadville back to Denver.
7
nights / 8 days:
Day 1: Denver to Colorado Springs
- ride the historic cog railroad or drive the Pikes Peak Highways to the summit
of one of Colorado's most spectacular 14er's. Overnight in Colorado Springs.
Day 2: Colorado Spring via
the spectacular Royal Gorge Bridge to Crested Butte. Overnight in Crested Butte.
Day 3:
Crested Butte via Black Canyon, Montrose to Telluride. Overnight in Telluride.
Day 4: Telluride to Durango via Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park. Overnight
in Durango.
Day 5: Durango to Grand Junction; Durango
to
Silverton by road or by historic railroad (option), and from here on via Quray, Delta, to Grand Junction.
Overnight in Grand Junction.
Day 6: Grand Junction via the incredible highway through Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs
and on to Aspen. Overnight in Aspen.
Day 7: Aspen via Glenwood Springs to Vail. Overnight in Vail.
Day 8: Vail via Vail Pass 10,600 ft and the Eisenhower Tunnel piercing the
Continental Divide back to Denver.
8
nights / 9 days:
Day 1: Denver to Colorado Springs
- ride the historic cog railroad or drive the Pikes Peak Highways to the summit
of one of Colorado's most spectacular 14er's. Overnight in Colorado Springs.
Day 2: Colorado Spring via historic mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor on
rugged road through Canyon City to Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension
bridge in the world, spanning the canyon at 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River;
and from here via Salida to Crested Butte.
Overnight in Crested Butte.
Day 3: Crested Butte via Black Canyon, Montrose to Telluride. Overnight in
Telluride.
Day 4: Telluride via Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park to Durango. Overnight
in Durango.
Day 5: Durango to Redstone or Grand Junction; Durango
to
Silverton by road or by historic railroad (option), and from here on via Quray, Delta, to
either Redstone
or Grand Junction. Overnight in Redstone or Grand Junction.
Day 6: Redstone via Carbondale, or Grand Junction via the incredible highway
through Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs and on to Aspen. Overnight in Aspen.
Day 7: Aspen via Independence Pass 12,095 ft to Leadville and Vail. Overnight in
Vail.
Day 8: Vail to the ski-resort of Steamboat Springs. Overnight in Steamboat
Springs.
Day 9: Steamboat Springs via Rocky Mountain National Park and the Trail Ridge
Road back to Denver.
Included
in the land costs:
-transportation in a private vehicle,
a Van or SUV
-accommodations
based on double occupancy per the itinerary -
the sample quotes given are based on standard motels/hotels; rates for
triples, groups of more than 2 pax traveling together, and rooms based on luxury
or historic style hotels and inns, such as
Antler's Plaza Hilton or legendary Broadmoor Hotel
in Colorado Springs,
the
historic Redstone; the Strater Hotel
in Durango, as well as any upscale lodges in Aspen, Vail or Steamboat can
be included upon request
-driver/guide
per the itinerary
Not
- Included in the land costs:
-hotel upgrades
-room
service, laundry, calls and similar
-any
optional tours or programs
-meals
unless specified in the itinerary
-medical and trip cancellation insurance
-any
other items not specified under items included in land costs
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