Western Horizons: Mesa Verde to Moab

Tour begins: 5:00 PM, Doubletree Hotel Durango. A transfer is included from Durango-La Plata County Airport to Doubletree Hotel Durango. Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel, located on the banks of the Animas River.

Your first day places you in the soul of a world defined by cattle drives and gold rushes, where slopes and peaks dominate the horizon and untouched land sprawls for miles. A scenic morning drive, narrated by a local guide, takes you down Highway 550, famously known as the "Million Dollar Highway," traveling through the San Juan Mountains to reach the mining town of Silverton, still preserved in time with Victorian saloons and parlors that are quintessentially Western. Named after the "silver by the ton" found along the Animas River, this historic town was officially established in 1874 and garnered attention from the Denver & Rio Grande Railway.

Later, board the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a storied line that once fueled Colorado's mining boom. As the train pulls away from Silverton, settle into the classic parlor car – where the gleam of polished wood and the wide picture windows transport you to the golden age of rail travel.

The journey winds through the San Juan Mountains, past steep cliff edges, pine-covered slopes, and the whitewater rapids of the Animas River far below. With every turn, the landscape tells a story – of prospectors and pioneers, of remote wilderness and the enduring romance of the rails. Back in Durango, enjoy an evening and dinner at your leisure in its nationally registered historic downtown.

Made popular by 20th-century mass media, the myth of the "American West" was shaped by black-and-white Western films, where themes of good vs. evil were brought to life by the lawful sheriff, the rebellious outlaw, and, of course, the heroic cowboy. This morning, saddle up for a trail ride through cowboy country at a ranch just outside Durango and immerse yourself in the landscapes that inspired these movies.

Break for lunch on your own before a rejuvenating, optional afternoon visit to The Durango Hot Springs. Long used by Native Americans, pioneers, and Hollywood stars, you can soak in the 26 natural mineral pools and 8 private Japanese-inspired cedar tubs, all nestled among the mountains – they are the only natural hot springs in the world to infuse nan-meter and micro-meter oxygen bubbles, increasing health benefits.

After a day deeply connected to nature and centering yourself, enjoy your final evening in Durango with dinner at a local restaurant.

Spend a morning in Durango as you wish – perhaps relaxing at your hotel or joining your Tauck Director for a nature walk. This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Mesa Verde National Park, the first national park dedicated to the works of humanity rather than the forces of nature. A local expert shares further insight during a private presentation on the history of the park and the Native American cultures spiritually tied to this land.

This evening, settle into the only lodge within Mesa Verde National Park and take in the brilliance of the stars in this International Dark Sky Park.

Set out on a guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park, an inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site home to more than 600 cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans beginning around 550 AD and inhabited until the 13th century. As one of the country's first national parks, Mesa Verde offers a glimpse into an ancient world where sophisticated cultures thrived.

Your expert guide will illuminate the history and cultural significance of these remarkable structures, including Cliff Palace – one of the park's most iconic and carefully preserved sites with limited public access – and explored today on a tour arranged exclusively for Tauck guests. Once home to over 100 people, Cliff Palace showcases the ingenuity of its builders, who adapted to their environment using advanced farming techniques, intricate pottery, and innovative stonework to carve their homes into the canyon walls.

Later today, journey toward Monument Valley, where you'll gather beneath towering red rock formations for a memorable evening on Navajo land. As the sun sets across the valley, enjoy a Southwestern-style dinner accompanied by traditional Navajo storytelling and song that celebrate the spirit of this extraordinary place. Spend the night at historic Goulding's Lodge – set within Monument Valley and formerly a trading post turned film location.

You'll recognize Monument Valley immediately when you see its iconic red sandstone buttes, mesas, and towering spires – one of the most photographed places on Earth and a famous backdrop in films like Stagecoach and Forrest Gump. Shaped over millions of years by erosion, this tribal land is sacred to the Navajo people who have lived in the area for centuries and who continue to inhabit and manage the land they call Tsé Bii' Ndzisgaii, or "valley of the rocks."

A guided Jeep tour, led by a Navajo guide, takes you around the red sand dunes, making stops at famous landmarks. Or choose to spend a morning by the pool at your lodge, or perhaps a visit to the museum and trading post.

Later today, travel toward Moab – the "adventure capital of Utah," and the gateway to the striking red rock formations of the region.

The Colorado Plateau has drastically shaped Utah's landscapes, creating the deep canyons, mesas, and striking buttes that define its Mighty 5 national parks. Today, you'll have the chance to visit two of them. On a coach tour to Arches National Park, you'll lose track trying to count the 2,000 documented arches within the park. A symbol of Utah, the freestanding Delicate Arch is one of the most well-known and largest in the park, standing over 46 feet high and 32 feet wide.

The awe of Utah's natural wonders continues this afternoon with a visit to Canyonlands National Park, carved by the currents and tributaries of the Colorado and Green Rivers. Its endless deep canyons weave into mazes, alleys, and pillars, stretching the equivalent of 172,121 football fields – but don't worry, today you'll sightsee around the northern section with your Tauck Director.

Tonight, dinner is at your leisure with many restaurants within an easy walk of your hotel.

Today, you have a choice of activities. One option takes you on a gentle rafting adventure down the Colorado River, followed by a barbecue lunch to wrap up an exciting morning; the other allows you to visit the Moab Museum, a space dedicated to showcasing the rich stories of Moab and the greater Canyonlands area, with exhibits on the First Nations, local flora and fauna, and dinosaur history, followed by an included lunch of your choosing.

Tonight, we invite you to join us for a farewell dinner, reflecting on the natural wonders and cultural treasures of an exciting week.

Tour ends: Grand Junction. Depart 8:00 AM for a group transfer from Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton to Grand Junction Airport. Flights should be scheduled after 11:00 AM. Allow two hours for flight check-in at the airport.