A great adventure for couples and families, this epic American self-drive holiday will take you through the towering pinnacles, deep canyons and raging rivers of the South West. Ride the rapids of the Colorado River before setting up camp on the sandy river bank, explore Monument Valley in the company of a Navajo Indian and ride through herds of Bison and through Sand Dunes National Park. You will be self-driving through some of America's most awe inspiring landscapes and staying in boutique, well located hotels as you travel.
ESSENTIAL USA - CANYONS & COWBOYS
HIGHLIGHTS
- Riding with Wranglers through herds of Bison and North America's largest sand dunes.
- Hiking in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid territory.
- Exploring the sacred lands of Monument Valley with your private Navajo guide.
- Rafting the rapids on the Colorado River and camping on the sandy river bank.
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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive Denver and drive to your Colorado Ranch
On arrival in Denver, collect your hire car and drive 2.5 hours to your Colorado Ranch, bordering the Great Sand Dunes National Park and with free-roaming wild bison and cattle.
Overnight: Colorado Ranch
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Day 2 - 3 Riding with the Wranglers in Colorado
Two full days riding at the ranch. This is a place to really hone your wrangling skills and release your inner Cowboy. Get involved in the day to day running of the ranch, moving livestock and general ranch work. Ride through and explore the Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to the tallest inland dunes in North America. Dine family-style with the ranch hands each evening and enjoy a relaxing massage to ease your newfound, sore muscles from a day in the saddle.
Option: Rent boards and have some fun surfing down the sand dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Overnight: Colorado Ranch
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Day 4 Drive to Telluride
Head northwest today as you drive 5 hours to Telluride; Butch Cassidy and Sundance kid territory and a former Victorian mining town. If you leave early enough you can take the more scenic route through Rio Grande National Forest and Lake City, adding an hour on to your journey.
Option: You might like to upgrade to the very special Dunton Hot Springs in the San Juan Forest with log cabins and private hot springs with all natural spa treatments.
Overnight: Boutique, riverside hotel in Telluride
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Day 5 At leisure in Telluride
At leisure to explore Telluride independently and enjoy hiking or cycling the river trail. The town is steeped in history and its Opera house dates back to 1913, coming alive in the summer with festivals.
Overnight: Boutique, riverside hotel in Telluride
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Day 6 Drive to Monument Valley
Drive 4 hours southwest through the San Juan National Forest to Monument Valley in the Navajo Mountains. Monument Valley will seem familiar as it is the iconic backdrop for so many of the Spaghetti westerns.
Overnight: Hotel inside Monument Valley Tribal Park
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Day 7 Explore Monument Valley and drive to Moab
Rise early and join your private Navajo Indian guide to explore the sacred grounds of Monument Valley. Afterwards head back on the road for the 2.5 hour drive to Moab in Utah; the adrenaline hub of America's South West.
Option: Spend a few days at the magnificent Amangiri Resort at the Four Corners, where the states of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico meet.
Overnight: Boutique B&B in Moab
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Day 8 At leisure in Moab
Full day to explore Moab and enjoy local activities both on land and in the water. This evening you will have a safety briefing by the rafting crew ahead of your two day Colorado River rafting adventure tomorrow.
Option: See the extraordinary landscape of Canyonlands from above by taking a hot air balloon flight at dawn.
Overnight: Boutique B&B in Moab
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Day 9 Rafting the Colorado River
Rise early and be driven to the drop in point for your Westwater Canyon rafting adventure. This will be a highlight of your American adventure as you splash and float through Grade I-IV rapids depending on the time of year and stretch of the river. You will be surrounded by red sandstone spires and monuments, and the Black Granite Gorge creates an exhilarating rafting experience.
For those with younger children, Fisher Towers is a much more gentle stretch of water with Grade 1-II rapids and for those who want more of an adrenalin rush Westwater Canyon is Grade III-IV and Cataract Canyon is Grade IV-V.
Overnight: Camping by the river
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Day 10 White Water Rafting in Canyonlands
Another full day on the river as you build up to some of the bigger rapids at the end. At the pull-out point you will be met and driven back to Moab, exhausted by the exhilaration of your rafting adventure.
Overnight: Boutique B&B in Moab
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Day 11 Depart
Drive 5 hours back to Denver to drop off car and fly home.
Option: If you want to shorten the road trip to Denver, you could cut 3 hours off the journey by flying from Grand Junction to Denver and connect with your flight home.
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
Currency
| Mid | £ 3,992 | $ 5,884 |
| High | £ 4,273 | $ 6,298 |
BOOKING NOTES
- Based on two people sharing a twin/double room throughout.
- Names of hotels used in this itinerary will be revealed on receipt of a planning fee of £300/$400 which will be deducted from your final balance once you book, but non-refundable if you do not book.
- Season runs from May-October so early booking is strongly recommended.
- If you are interested in adding any of the optional enhancements listed, please speak to your specialist about prices and how best to fit them into the itinerary.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- All meals, soft drinks and activities at the ranch except sand dune boarding and spa which are extra.
- Breakfast on your days in Moab.
- Hire car from Denver to Denver in mid-size car with standard cover.
- Private Navajo guide in Monument Valley.
- White water rafting on shared basis with crew, all meals, soft drinks and overnight camping.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance or visa fees.
