Gold Rush Pioneer
Denver to Denver - 15D / 14N
HIGHLIGHTS: Discover some of America’s finest national parks, admire the spectacular scenery, retrace the incredible history and be awed by nature. Start and End in Denver, the Mile High City for the start of your fly drive trail. Visit world renowned parks in America's West - from Old Faithful in the famous Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hotel & Grand Teton National Park. Salt Lake City awaits before driving through colorful canyons and rock formations of Bryce and Lake Powell, Monument Valley and visit Sante Fe and Taos
Day 1: Denver - Arrival
Arrival. Vehicle pick-up at the airport. Take a first look at Denver. With the impressive Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Denver effortlessly blends the city's Old West heritage with today's modern skyscrapers and urban energy. Pre or Post, explore some of the city's must-sees, including the gold-domed State Capitol building, Larimer Square, City Park, or Denver's most scenic attraction - Overnight in Denver 1 Night.
Day 2: DENVER - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - STEAMBOAT SPRINGS.
This morning, discover the Mile-High city from its beginnings as a Gold Rush City then Today, you have the day to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. After crossing the Continental Divide of the Rockies, continue to the quaint ski resort of Steamboat Springs.
Day 4: ROCK SPRINGS - JACKSON
Depart Rock Springs and travel along the Wind River Gorge. Continue north over the high chaparral of Wyoming and arrive in Jackson by early evening. Enjoy exploring the rustic Old West with a walk around the old-fashioned town square of Jackson.. Overnight 1 Night.
Day 5: JACKSON - GRAND TETON - YELLOWSTONE
The short drive today gives you the chance to leisurely explore Grand Teton National Park. In Yellowstone, explore the diverse geothermal features of America's first national park. Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs are the most famous sights of the park. Yellowstone's wildlife roam the park freely, so prepare yourself for bison, deer, elk, moose and possibly a bear.
Day 6: YELLOWSTONE - SALT LAKE CITY
You will cross a small portion of the Gem State of Idaho en-route to the Mormon State of Utah and its capital, Salt Lake City. Visit the famed Temple and the Tabernacle.
Day 7: YELLOWSTONE - BRYCE CANYON
Cross the Wasatch Mountain Range to reach the natural wonders in southern Utah. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park to view its fanciful spires and rock formations. Overnight 2 Nights
Day 8: BRYCE CANYON
A full day to further explore Bryce Canyon National Park. Alternatively, it is just a short drive to Zion National Park and some of the world's most incredible sandstone formations formed millions of years ago by the powerful hand of nature Overnight 1 Night.
Day 9: BRYCE CANYON - LAKE POWELL/PAGE
Day 10: LAKE POWELL/PAGE - MONUMENT VALLEY - CORTEZ
Leave early to explore the Navajo Indian Reservation, the Trading Post of Cameron, and drive through the Painted Desert to beautiful Monument Valley's red sandstone spires and monoliths. Continue to Cortez Overnight 1 Night.
Day 11: CORTEZ - MESA VERDE - DURANGO
Depart Cortez for the ruins of Mesa Verde, established to "preserve the works of man," the first national park of its kind. Continue to the charming old gold-mining town of Durango. Overnight 1 Night.
Day 12: DURANGO - TAOS
Enjoy magnificent scenery this morning while strolling along Durango's Main Street lined with southwestern boutiques. Depart Durango and pass Pagosa Springs en route to the state of New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment. Your destination for this evening, the artist's colony of Taos. Overnight 2 Nights
Day 13: TAOS - SANTE FE - TAOS
This morning, explore the remarkable Taos Indian Pueblo, a virtually unchanged village inhabited for over 800 years by as many as 1,400 Taos Indians. In the afternoon, drive south to Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States. Explore Santa Fe's historic center on a short walking tour. Enjoy the unique atmosphere which has made Santa Fe a mecca for artists. Return to Taos for the night
Day 14: TAOS - DENVER
Today, head north through New Mexico into the state of Colorado. The mountainous terrain of Colorado will surround you, providing panoramic scenery en-route to Denver. Visit historic Larimer Square in downtown Denver before proceeding to your hotel.
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.
**Please note that local car extra's can apply to your car hire payable locally, for example added insurance, GPS, Booster Seats. Sunway will provide for information.
*Prices from €2775 Include: Flights from Ireland with 2 & 3* accommodation based on 2 sharing and fully inclusive car rental for duration.
Price also includes car hire, flight taxes and baggage. Hotels may be substituted for similar starndard hotels subject to availability if original options are not available. 4 star hotel packages also available upon request, please call (01) 2311 889 for more information. Quote Ref IV1165462
*=local charge
