Experience the best of Colorado on this 5-day small-group tour, exploring Denver’s city highlights, the stunning landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park, and the scenic mountain towns of Vail, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs. Soak in natural hot springs, admire the iconic Maroon Bells (or Dillon Lake off-season), and end with a visit to the dramatic red rock formations at Garden of the Gods and charming Manitou Springs in Colorado Springs.
Denver International Airport (DEN);8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249; Complimentary airport pick-up on the first day of your tour is available at 14:00.
Denver International Airport (DEN);8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249; Please book flight depart after 18:30.
Free airport pick-up: Denver International Airport (DEN) Free pick-up time: 14:00 Meeting point: Baggage claim area No. 12, West Terminal Building, inside the airport hall Today you will take a flight to Denver, the capital of Colorado. Please meet your tour guide at the airport at 14:00 pm (Denver local time) and then head to Denver city. Visit the most famous public art work in Denver - the Big Blue Bear, which means: I See What You Mean (I know what you are talking about). Stroll along the 16th Commercial Street in the bustling section of the city center, where there are many shops and bustling stores. From the Colorado State Capitol and Denver Art Museum, take the 16th Street sightseeing bus to the old train station under the guidance of a tour guide. It is one of the few old buildings in the United States that is over a century old. It has been modernized and is still in operation. .
Itinerary: Denver International Airport (DEN) → Denver Big Blue Bear (15 mins) → The 16th St Mall (30 mins) → Colorado State Capitol Building (outside visit, 30 mins) → Denver Art Museum (outside visit, 30 mins) → Take a free shuttle bus to the old railway station (15 mins) → Old Railway Station (30 mins)
Big Blue Bear The bear's gesture and size evokes a dialogue between viewer and the viewed. The sculpture is titled, "I See What You Mean." The title itself generates a dialogue between the bear and viewer, placing both in conversation about what they are visually witnessing and sensing. It is a clever site-specific bridge between Colorado's fauna and new digital technology. The final bear is made up of about 4000 triangles on the surface. The scale of the bear was propositional to the massive size of the Convention Center. The final blue color of the bear was a happy accident. When creating the first small prototype with a 3D printer, the ABS plastic that created the 3D print just happened to be a bright blue in color. Both Lawrence and Anne quite liked the result as blue also represents the Colorado sky. They agreed that the surface color of the final bear would be lapis lazuli in color. This is a rare powerful stone found in few places in the world, one being Colorado.
The 16th St Mall The 16th Street Mall is located in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado. Designed by famed architect I.M. Pei, the pedestrian promenade is made of red, white and gray granite in a repeating pattern that, seen from above, resembles the skin of a diamondback rattlesnake. The mall offers 42 outdoor cafés along the mall, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or have a drink. Points of interest along the mall include the D&F Tower, a two-thirds replica of the Campanile of St. Mark's in Venice that was the highest building west of the Mississippi when it was built in 1909.
Colorado State Capitol Building (outside visit, 30 mins) Dotted with stately old mansions, Capitol Hill is a residential district with a bohemian vibe. Popular attractions include the Molly Brown House Museum, a Victorian home decorated with period art and furnishings, and the gold-domed Colorado State Capitol. Capitol Hill is one of the most cosmopolitan neighborhoods in Denver, well known as a haven for artists and bohemians.
Denver Art Museum (outside visit, 30 mins)
Take a free sightseeing bus to the old train station (15 mins)
Old Railway Station (inside visit, 30 mins)
After breakfast, visit the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park, home to breathtaking Bear Lake. Then, journey along the scenic Trail Ridge Road, enjoying spectacular mountain views and lush forests up to the Alpine Visitor Center at 3,637 meters—the highest point. Finish at Sheep Lake, a scenic grassland and natural habitat of Colorado’s state animal, the bighorn sheep. Itinerary: Denver → Rocky Mountain National Park (Head to Bear Lake, Alpine Visitor Center, Sheep Lake, about 9 hours a day) → Denver Special Note: If Trail Ridge Road is closed due to season or weather conditions, the itinerary for this day will be changed to: After breakfast, head to Estes Park, a resort town located at the east gate of the national park, to view the lakes and mountains of Lake Estes and see the Stanley Hotel, the prototype of the hotel in the classic horror movie "The Shining". Then go to Rocky Mountain National Park and visit Bear Lake, Sheep Lake, and the Visitor Center.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Head to Bear Lake, Alpine Visitor Center, Sheep Lake, about 9 hours a day) Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado 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. A trail surrounding Bear Lake offers views of the peaks.
After breakfast, visit Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, famed for its unique natural acoustics and scenic views over Denver. Then drive along scenic Highway 70 through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, stopping briefly in the charming ski town of Vail. Arrive in Glenwood Springs, renowned for its geothermal hot springs. Relax and rejuvenate at Glenwood Springs Grand Hot Springs, beautifully situated beside the Colorado River amidst majestic mountain scenery. Itinerary: Denver → Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater (1 hour) → Vail (pass by, 45 mins) → Glenwood Springs → Glenwood Springs Hot Springs (1.5 hours)
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is a unique transitional zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The diverse environment allows visitors to see plants, birds and animals of both regions. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a geological phenomenon – the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. From Sting and The Beatles to opera stars and U2, every artist aspires to play on this magical, spiritual and emotional stage.
Vail (pass by, 45 mins)
Glenwood Springs Hot Springs (1.5 hours)
After breakfast, head to Aspen, Colorado's picturesque mountain town and world-class ski resort, surrounded by four stunning peaks. Next, visit Maroon Bells, America's most photographed landscape, known for its postcard-perfect scenery that captivates photographers worldwide. Itinerary: Glenwood Springs → Aspen Town → Visit Maroon Bells Scenic Area (tour bus round trip, 3 hours) → Free time in Aspen Town (2 hours) → Denver Note: As the Maroon Bells is closed until 05/15/2025, the attraction will be replaced by the Dillon Lake Tour & Hike (2 hours, including transportation to the Dillon Lake Dam). Thank you for your understanding.
Visit Maroon Bells Scenic Area (tour bus round trip, 3 hours) Note: As the Maroon Bells is closed until 05/15/2025, the attraction will be replaced by the Dillon Lake Tour & Hike (2 hours, including transportation to the Dillon Lake Dam). Thank you for your understanding.
Free time in Aspen Town (2 hours)
After breakfast, visit Colorado Springs at the foot of scenic Pikes Peak. Explore the stunning Garden of the Gods, famed for its striking red sandstone formations set against the Rocky Mountains. Then discover the charming town of Manitou Springs, beloved for its picturesque streets and welcoming atmosphere. Itinerary: Denver → Colorado Springs → Garden of the Gods (3 hours) → Manitou Springs (free tour, 1 hour) → Overlooking Pikes Peak → Denver International Airport
Garden of the Gods The Garden of the Gods is a park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. In 1971, the Garden of the Gods was selected as a national natural landmark and is a famous tourist attraction in Colorado Springs.
Manitou Springs (free tour, 1 hour) Historic Downtown Manitou Springs is an artist’s enclave featuring time-honored art galleries, street performers, creek-side restaurants and boutique stores. Located at the base of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, Manitou Springs is abundant with fun attractions and activities.
Pikes Peak The safe and scenic Pikes Peak Highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy 19 miles of mountain terrain, with frequent breathtaking views, four different Colorado life zones and unique animal sightings. From the summit’s various viewing areas, snap photos of Pikes Peak’s incredible scenery. Pikes Peak is one of Colorado’s majestic 14’ers and is one of the few places so grand in scale that are also accessible to be experienced first-hand by people of all ages and abilities.
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If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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