Wild Southwest USA

8 days
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Group Tour
The lush granite mountains of Colorado and the mighty red-rock deserts of Utah: there is arguably no other state divide in the US where two more remarkable landscapes converge. On this eight-day trip, you’ll hike through the Moab canyonlands, bike down dusty trails in Arches National Park and go rafting on the Colorado River. You’ll also visit quaint alpine t...
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$4,724
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Raft down the Colorado River through a maze of red rocks
    • Hike and wild swim in Arches National Park, Utah
    • Spot black bears in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
    • Sip cocktails at the ‘haunted’ hotel from The Shining
    • Sample a variety of Denver’s famous craft beer
    • Soak in the natural, geothermal Strawberry Hot Springs
    • Watch out-of-this-world sunrises and sunsets in Moab

What's this trip about?

    The lush granite mountains of Colorado and the mighty red-rock deserts of Utah: there is arguably no other state divide in the US where two more remarkable landscapes converge. On this eight-day trip, you’ll hike through the Moab canyonlands, bike down dusty trails in Arches National Park and go rafting on the Colorado River. You’ll also visit quaint alpine towns, soak in hot springs, and – with any luck – spot a black bear or two in the Colorado Rockies. Designed with thrill-seekers in mind, this trip brings you non-stop adventure, combining both Moab and the Rocky Mountains in a single trip. Foodies and culture fiends won’t be disappointed either, with cocktails at the hotel from The Shining (1980) and wine tasting at Grand Junction.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 13 people
Age range25 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityDenver
End CityDenver

Travel Themes

  • Climbing & Mountaineering
  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Photography

Destinations

Attractions

  • Arches National Park
  • Denver
  • Moab

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Hiking
  • Mountaineering
  • Photography
  • Swimming
  • Whitewater rafting

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 13

Trip includes

    • Three nights river lodge accommodation
    • Two nights family-run lodge accommodation
    • Two nights standard hotel accommodation
    • Private and local transport
    • Seven breakfasts, two dinners
    • Local Insider
    • Wine tasting
    • Arches Park Avenue walk
    • Delicate Arch sunset hike
    • Rafting on the Colorado River
    • Devil’s Garden sunrise hike
    • Dead Horse Point State Park sunset hike
    • Strawberry Hot Springs entry
    • Trail Ridge Road scenic drive
    • Guided hike from Bear Lake trailhead
    • Red Rock Amphitheatre visit

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1 Welcome to Denver, Colorado On arrival in Denver, you’ll be greeted by our Local Insider who will accompany you throughout the trip. Meet your fellow travellers at 6pm and spend the evening mingling at an authentic Denver brewpub, where dinner and a selection of local beers will be served.

ACCOMMODATION
The Curtis

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Welcome dinner DAY 2

Transforming landscapes and hiking in Arches National Park, Utah

The adventure really begins on Day 2, as you journey from the American plains and across the Colorado Rockies, where you’ll stop off for wine tasting in Grand Junction. C...

ACCOMMODATION
Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Wine tasting Arches Park Avenue walk Delicate Arch sunset hike DAY 3 Rafting the Colorado River and off-roading in Moab

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, you’ll spend the morning rafting the Colorado River. There are no rapids in this part of the water...

ACCOMMODATION
Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Rafting on the Colorado River

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sunset Hummer tour Hiking Mountain biking Horse riding Canyoneering DAY 4 Devil’s Garden and Dead Horse Point State Park

Receive a sunrise wake-up call to beat the desert heat on your early hike in Arches National Park. You’ll be taking the Devil’s Gard...

ACCOMMODATION
Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Devil’s Garden sunrise hike Dead Horse Point State Park sunset hike

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Horseback ride DAY 5 Steamboat Springs and soaking under the stars

It’s back over the border to Colorado today; the pretty alpine village of Steamboat Springs is your destination. On the way, you’ll stop for lunch in the quiet town of Rifle before continuing in...

ACCOMMODATION
Residence Inn

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Strawberry Hot Springs entry DAY 6 Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

You’ll be making your way into the Rocky Mountain National Park this morning, traversing the Trail Ridge Road which stretches up to 12,000ft (3,658m) above sea level. Expect magnificent vista...

ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Estes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Trail Ridge Road scenic drive

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Guided Tundra Communities Trail hike DAY 7 Swimming in Bear Lake and cocktails at Stanley Hotel

Your last full day sees you hike the Bear Lake trailhead, which is dotted with picturesque waterfalls. There are easy, moderate and challenging routes from which to ...

ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Estes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Guided hike from Bear Lake trailhead Farewell dinner

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Cocktails at Stanley Hotel DAY 8 Return to Denver with a Boulder detour

There’s a short drive back to Denver today, but not before stopping at the mountain community of Boulder for lunch. Here, you’ll have a few hours of free time to visit one of the best farme...

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Red Rock Amphitheatre visit

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,499
Price per day$437
Last Updated: 11/19/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Culture Trip.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Culture Trip

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TRIPS by Culture Trip

For over a decade, people have trusted Culture Trip to help them discover some of the world’s coolest and unexpected destinations and experiences - now we can take you there. Book our curated multi-day TRIPS by Culture Trip itineraries, to truly experience extraordinary places, together with a small group of culturally curious travellers.

Our travel experts have done all the planning to create exciting and perfectly balanced itineraries combining unique stays, immersive activities and authentic experiences, with enough free time to explore on your own and unwind. On the trips, our Local Insiders are with you to show you their destination like never before, share their insights and take you to the secret spots you couldn't find yourself.
With TRIPS by Culture Trip, we help you experience the world while being good to it, and to connect with a place, its people and its culture. And because we know that booking travel with confidence is more important than ever, we are committed to making it hassle-free for you.

About Culture Trip

Culture Trip was created in 2011 to inspire people to go beyond their cultural boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people, and its culture special, unique, and meaningful. So for over a decade now, Culture Trip’s global community of travel experts and Local Insiders have hand picked the world’s best bits to share travel stories and unbiased recommendations, together with curated collections of places to stay, hotels, things to do, experiences - and now also TRIPS by Culture Trip which are unique small-group adventures.

Why TRIPS by Culture Trip?

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Together with a small group of culturally curious travellers, you get to truly experience - not just visit - the world. Groups will welcome up to 18 travellers and you can join solo or with others. Our small groups enable you to get to know the other travellers, bond quickly and enjoy your trip to the fullest whilst building friendships and forming life-long memories.

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For our curated, diverse itineraries, our travel experts do all the planning and hand-pick the best bits of a place: all itineraries combine hyper-local, authentic activities and immersive experiences, with quality accommodation that has a personal feel. Whether that’s well-known hotspots or more off-grid trails, city or nature - with us, they will all feel like hidden gems. Thoughtfully planned with ample free time to unwind or explore solo, our trips offer the right balance of action and relaxation.

Local Insider

Our trips are led by expert Local Insiders who know the destination inside out and show a place like never before. They share unique insights and in-depth knowledge, show lesser-known places and reveal hidden gems that travellers might not be able to access or do on their own. They also take you to secret spots you couldn’t find yourself and activities that are impossible to do on your own or you wouldn’t have otherwise discovered.

Value and quality

TRIPS by Culture Trip is not about the lowest price. Trying to be the cheapest just isn’t good for our planet or for local communities - so we focus on value and quality, while offering fair prices. Prices include the Local Insider; activities; accommodation based on two people sharing, with single occupancy available with a supplement; transport throughout the trip and a range of meals.

What they’re known for
Carefully selected boutique accommodations, and experiences that are authentic and unique.

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Logistics

Accommodation

The Curtis , Denver The Curtis is ideal for exploring downtown Denver. Choose between themed and non-themed rooms – the former includes a Star Trek room and Sweet Treats suite for candy lovers. Downstairs, the Martini Bar is a great spot to rub shoulders with locals. Red Cliffs Lodge , Moab This is an all-suite lodge set on the banks of the Colorado River. There’s an on-site winery, a museum with Western film memorabilia, and rustic rooms with glorious views. The hotel is also framed by 2,000ft (609m) red cliffs, and just a short drive from Arches National Park. Residence Inn Steamboat , Steamboat Springs After a long day exploring, there’s nothing better than soaking in the outdoor hot tub at this hotel in the pretty ski village of Steamboat. With ultra-modern rooms, local craft beer served at the bar and free s’mores to cook on the outdoor firepit, there’s a lot to love here. Hotel Estes , Estes Park A locally owned and family-run gem with the Rocky Mountain National Park on its doorstep. Rooms here are homey with pine furniture and balconies on which to bask. Pack your swimmers for a dip in the outdoor pool with its mountainous backdrop.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation Policy  

The world of travel is changing – and that's why we’re offering flexible booking conditions, to take the stress out of booking in times of uncertainty.

Our Ultimate Covid Booking Guarantee means that if Covid-19 changes your plans, we'll rebook you for free. If we cannot rebook you we'll refund your trip.

You can get a full refund should you need to postpone or cancel your trip up to 35 days prior to departure. Or you can simply transfer your deposit and any funds paid to a different date without incurring any additional fees.

For full details, see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
Seven breakfasts, two dinners
Age Requirements
25 years and up
Additional Information
  • You must be aged 25 years or over to join this trip.
  • Please be sure to check whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you're travelling to. Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for further information.
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements, please notify our Customer Support team as soon as possible.
  • We won't charge you extra if you travel alone – you'll be allocated a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.
  • To upgrade to a private room, share a room with a friend, or book pre- and post-trip accommodation and/or airport transfers, please contact our Customer Support team.
  • Please be aware that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
  • Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. While unlikely, these changes can happen due to circumstances beyond our control. We will always do our best to ensure minimal impact on your experience.
  • Please be aware images on this page are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your itinerary exactly.
  • The Colorado river rafting activity takes place on flat water, not whitewater. The season is from March to October.
  • Please note, many of the activities and restaurants in the US may require a vaccination certificate for entry.
Trip ID
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