American Grandeurs
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Denver Arrival
Arrive at Denver’s International Airport and pick up the rental car. Then proceed to the hotel in downtown Denver.
Day 2
Denver – Rocky Mountain National Park – Steamboat Springs / driving distance: 160 mi / 260 km
Today, you have the day to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. After crossing the Continental Divide of the Rockies, continue to the quaint ski resort of Steamboat Springs.
Day 3
Steamboat Springs – Dinosaur National Monument – Flaming Gorge – Rock Springs / driving distance: 280 mi / 440 km
Depart Steamboat Springs and enter Dinosaur National Monument at the Colorado/Utah border and visit Dinosaur Quarry, which has produced more skeletons, skulls and bones of dinosaurs than any other dig in the world. Marvel at these remarkable fossil deposits, some as old as 140 million years. Continue on to explore the Flaming Gorge and Red Canyon. Overnight in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Day 4
Rock Springs – Jackson / driving distance: 190 mi / 310 km
Depart Rock Springs and travel along the Wind River Gorge. Continue north over the high chaparral of Wyoming and arrive in Jackson by early evening. Enjoy exploring the rustic Old West with a walk around the old fashioned town square of Jackson.
Day 5
Jackson – Grand Teton National Park – Yellowstone National Park / driving distance: 80 mi / 130 km
The short drive today gives you the chance to leisurely explore Grand Teton National Park. In Yellowstone, explore the diverse geothermal features of America’s first national park. Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs are the most famous sights of the park. Yellowstone’s wildlife roam the park freely, so prepare yourself for bison, deer, elk, moose and possibly a bear.
Day 6
Yellowstone National Park – Salt Lake City / driving distance: 350 mi / 560 km
You will cross a small portion of the Gem State of Idaho en route to the Mormon State of Utah and its capital, Salt Lake City. Visit the famed Temple and the Tabernacle.
Day 7
Salt Lake City – Bryce Canyon National Park / driving distance: 250 mi / 400 km
Cross the Wasatch Mountain Range to reach the natural wonders in southern Utah. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park to view its fanciful spires and rock formations.
Day 8
Bryce Canyon National Park
A full day to further explore Bryce Canyon National Park. Alternatively, it is just a short drive to Zion National Park and some of the world’s most incredible sandstone formations formed millions of years ago by the powerful hand of nature.
Day 9
Bryce Canyon National Park – Lake Powell / driving distance: 120 mi / 190 km
After having discovered the natural wonders of Zion National Park, drive east via Kanab to Page where the red desert meets deep blue Lake Powell.
Day 10
Lake Powell – Monument Valley – Cortez / driving distance: 280 mi / 450 km
Leave early to explore this magnificent landscape. Travel to the Navajo Indian Reservation, pass the Trading Post of Cameron, and drive through the Painted Desert to beautiful Monument Valley’s red sandstone spires and monoliths. Continue to Cortez.
Day 11
Cortez – Mesa Verde National Park – Durango / driving distance: 80 mi / 128 km
Depart Cortez for the ruins of Mesa Verde which are valid proof of the highly sophisticated civilization of the Anasazi Indians. Established to “preserve the works of man”, the first national park of its kind. Then continue to the charming old gold-mining town of Durango.
Day 12
Durango – Taos / driving distance: 200 mi / 320 km
Enjoy the magnificent scenery this morning while strolling along Main Street, Durango, which is lined with south-western boutiques. Depart Durango and pass Pagosa Springs en route to the state of New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment. Your destination for this evening, the artists’ colony of Taos.
Day 13
Taos – Santa Fe – Taos / driving distance: 140 mi / 220 km
In the morning, explore the remarkable Taos Indian Pueblo, a virtually unchanged village inhabited for over 800 years by as many as 1,400 Taos Indians. In the afternoon, drive south to Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States. Explore Santa Fe’s historic center on a short walking tour. Enjoy the unique atmosphere which has made Santa Fe a mecca for artists. Then return to Taos for the night.
Day 14
Taos – Denver / driving distance: 310 mi / 500 km
Today, head north through New Mexico into the state of Colorado. The mountainous terrain of Colorado will surround you, providing panoramic scenery en route to Denver. Visit historic Larimer Square in downtown Denver before proceeding to the hotel.
Day 15
Denver Departure
Return the car at the airport before the departure flight.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
€
£
$
A$
¥
C$
The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in USD. Prices converted in other
currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.
| DAILY DEPARTURES | PRICE FROM |
|---|---|
| April | 899 |
| May, June, July, August, September | 1125 |
| October | 874 |
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | Holiday Inn Denver Cherry Creek |
| 2 | Steamboat Springs | Holiday Inn Steamboat Springs |
| 3 | Rock Springs | Quality Inn Rock Springs |
| 4 | Jackson Hole | 49'er Inn & Suites |
| 5 | Yellowstone | Brandin Iron Inn |
| 6 | Salt Lake City | Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites |
| 7-8 | Bryce Canyon | Bryce View Lodge |
| 9 | Lake Powell/Page | Travelodge Page |
| 10 | Cortez | Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites |
| 11 | Durango | Durango Downtown Inn |
| 12-13 | Taos | Sagebrush Inn & Suites |
| 14 | Denver | Holiday Inn Denver Cherry Creek |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit Rocky Mountain National Park, a living laboratory
- Glimpse ancient fossils embedded in the rocks at Dinosaur National Monument
- Take a tour of Flaming Gorge Dam and power plant
- Pause at the impressive overlook high on the rim above Red Canyon
- See the mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park
- Explore Yellowstone, America’s first National Park
- Hear a concert by the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir (seasonal)
- Behold the rich colors of Bryce Canyon’s famous “hoodoos”
- Discover Lake Powell’s natural stone bridge, Rainbow Bridge
- Be surrounded by sandstone masterpieces in the Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley
- Look into the lives of the people who made Mesa Verde their home for over 700 years
- Take a stroll back in time walking downtown Durango
- Experience over 1,000 years of tradition at Taos Pueblo
- Visit Santa Fe, a UNESCO designated City of Design, Crafts and Folk Art
Admission fees not included
