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Day 1: Colorado Springs
A morning flight begins our journey to the Gateway of the Rockies, Colorado Springs, where we are met by our motorcoach and guide. After a tour of historic Colorado Springs, we visit the US Air Force Academy, where we can see the Air Force Chapel, one of America's most distinctive architectural treasures. You won't believe your eyes at our next stop at the Garden of the Gods, whose sharp sandstone spires offer a delightful playground for photographers, rock climbers and sightseers. We check into our hotel before we head out for our evening of fun, food and frivolity at the Flying W Ranch. A barbeque dinner is followed by a first-class rollicking stage show of cowboy songs and bunkhouse humor performed by the Flying W Wranglers.

Day 2: Pikes Peak
After a full breakfast at our hotel, we begin our day with a ride on the world's highest cog railway to the 14,000-foot summit of Pike's Peak. A continuous panorama of breathtaking scenery unfolds along the entire route through aspen grove, hidden valleys and over the tundra. After lunch on our own in Manitou Springs, we visit the Royal Gorge, spanned by the world's highest suspension bridge 1,053 feet above the roaring Arkansas River. Dinner tonight is at the Canyon Inn at Canyon City where we overnight.

Day 3: Great Sand Dunes
Another full breakfast will fuel us for our adventures today beginning with a guided tour of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument where we can experience the eternally shifting 700 foot tall sand dunes for ourselves. Lunch today is on our own in Alamosa, after which we travel to Mesa Verde where we check into our hotel for the night. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.

Day 4: Mesa Verde & Four Corners
Breakfast again at our hotel this morning, then we set out to Mesa Verde, the first National Park established in 1906 to preserve the works of man. Mesa Verde offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the life and culture of the Anasazi Indians. We'll actually walk in their footsteps through some magnificent cliff dwellings in villages which were inhabited for more than 1,000 years and learn about this ancient Native American civilization. Lunch is on our own in Cortez. This afternoon we visit Four Corners National Monument, the only spot in the United States where four state corners meet perfectly. We spend the night in historic Durango where we have dinner at our hotel.

Day 5: Steam Train & Moab, Utah
"Breathtaking" can only describe the brilliant aspen-covered mountainsides we'll see today as we travel aboard the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. After lunch on our own in Silverton, we continue on to Moab, Utah where we have an "Evening Spectacular on the Colorado River." After our cookout dinner, we board our boat for the cruise upstream. An informative narration given by our host helps to put the scenes of the Colorado River Canyon in proper perspective. As the first sounds of the formal portion of the show begin, and the instant flashes of light bathe the magnificent cliffs ahead, a drama never to be forgotten unfolds.

Day 6: Arches National Monument & Breckenridge
After breakfast this morning, our first stop is Arches National Monument, which boasts the world's largest concentration of natural stone arches. Over 1500 of these "miracles of nature" grace the 73,000 acre park. After lunch on our own in Moab, we travel back to Colorado where we check into our hotel. This evening we travel to Breckenridge where we are given vouchers for dinner at our restaurant of choice. Breckenridge is a quaint, 140-year-old Victorian town known for its more than 200 shops, restaurants and art galleries.

Day 7: Rocky Mountain National Park
This morning we tour the Rocky Mountain National Park, whose catalogue of wonders includes 78 peaks above 12,000 feet, 350 miles of trails, dozens of waterfalls and pristine forests teeming with wildlife. American explorers arriving in Colorado in the mid-1800's could scarcely believe how dramatically the snow-covered peaks rose out of the plains. Although our jaws may drop in wonder, our knees will not tremble at the prospect of climbing the formidable heights as we travel by our trusty motorcoach to Estes Park for lunch on our own. A city tour of Denver is on our agenda for the afternoon, after which we travel back to our starting point of Colorado Springs where we check into our hotel. A farewell dinner at the hotel is planned for tonight.

Day 8: Home
After a last breakfast in Colorado, we head for the airport where we catch a flight home, enjoying our memories of "America The Beautiful."

Price per person:

Price Includes: Airfare from east coast (ask about your area), first class lodging, 6 full American breakfasts, 1 deluxe continental breakfast, 7 dinners, deluxe motorcoach transportation, transfers to airport, admissions to all attractions listed, Pike's Peak cog rail ride, Durango Silverton Steam Train ride, boat ride & canyon light show at Moab, guides, baggage handling, taxes & meal gratuities.

Not Included: Gratuities to driver & guide.

Discounted Air Fare Available Nation-wide!

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001