An Adventure through the Rocky Mountains

Welcome to Colorado! Your trip begins with TrovaTrip picking you up from the airport and transferring you to your campground near Great Sand Dunes National Park where you'll set up camp and cook your first dinner with the group. Plan to arrive by 12 pm. Camping is part of this incredible experience; you will set up and pack up your tent and help prep all meals! Since you'll be out on adventures most days, lunch will be picnic-style or bagged lunches. If you've never camped before, no worries, your professional Guide will always be there to help. Stops for bathroom breaks will be made as needed along the way to the campground. Please note Denver sits above 5,000 feet in elevation and as you head into the Rocky Mountains the elevation will increase to 8000 feet or higher. If you’re arriving from sea-level or sensitive to altitude sickness it is recommended to make any necessary preparations such as arriving earlier to adjust, or bringing any altitude sickness medication.

• Transfer · Denver International Airport (DEN) → Mosca

  TrovaTrip will provide one transfer from Denver International Airport (DEN) to the campground between 11:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. Please arrive by 12:00 P.M. Exact transfer time within this window will be determined closer to your arrival based on provided traveler flight information. Travelers arriving outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own arrangements to meet the group at the campground. Please note, there is no parking available at the campground. If you are driving, we recommend parking your car at the airport and joining the included transfer. On the transfer to Great Sand Dunes National Park, stops for bathrooms/snacks will be made along the way, including a stop about halfway in Pueblo (depending on traffic and transfer progress).

  270 min

This morning after breakfast you will tackle the great sand dunes! A short transfer from the campground will take you to these great dunes where you will sand board down the giant hills. After you’ve had your fill of sand, enjoy lunch and then transfer to your campground in Gunnison. After arriving you’ll enjoy dinner at camp. Today you’ll want to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

• Sand Boarding in Great Sand Dunes National Park

  A 10-15 minute transfer away and you’ll arrive to see some of the largest dunes in North America towering over you. With a wooden board in hand, and new friends by your side you’ll glide across these dunes with ease. It's an entirely different desert landscape inside Great Sand Dunes, and there's no better way to experience the most famous feature than by sliding down. You'll pick up rental boards just outside the park and then drive in, climb up the dunes to board down, and then repeat.

  · 120 min· Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Transfer · Mosca → Gunnison

  Your trip through the Rockies starts in earnest as you make your way to Gunnison. Stops for bathrooms/snacks will be made along the way as needed.

  180 min

Fill up on breakfast and transfer to the Taylor River. You’ll gear up and then navigate your way through the rapids. After finishing rafting, you’ll have lunch and then hop back in the van to head to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You’ll stop to stretch your legs on a short hike on the Rim Rock Trail. Then continue into the park for various viewpoints before finally heading to the campground for dinner. Today for whitewater rafting you’ll want to wear sturdy footwear such as river sandals with an ankle strap, or sneakers that can get wet (no flip flops or crocs), a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses with straps, change of clothes, a towel, and swimsuits and nylon shorts. In the afternoon, hiking boots or comfortable athletic shoes are recommended when exploring the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park.

• White Water Rafting the Taylor River

  After a 30 minute transfer you’ll arrive at the check-in for your rafting excursion. Then get ready to tackle some rapids on the Taylor! On this 2 hour rafting trip, you'll challenge the Class III rapids amidst beautiful scenery. You will be supplied paddles, life jackets, and booties. Optional gear also offered include wetsox, wetsuits, paddle jackets, and helmets. Bathrooms are available at the check-in office if you need to change clothes.

  · 120 min· Taylor River Canyon
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Visit and Hike

  Carved out of the volcanic igneous rock by the Gunnison River below, marvel at the striking black canyon walls on your flat, one-mile hike to the South Rim Visitor Center on the one-way Rim Rock Trail. Your Guide will drop you off on the south end of the trail and meet you at the north side to save you the return trip, then take you further into the park to the various viewpoints. At the end of the day you'll transfer about a half hour to the campground. Hike Distance: 1 mile one-way / Elevation gain: 187 ft / Duration: 30-40 minutes / Difficulty: Easy

  · 40 min· Black Canyon
• Transfer · Taylor River → Black Canyon

  Continue on to reach one of Colorado's more remote and beautiful national parks, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

  120 min

After breakfast today you’ll transfer to the bike rental shop. You’ll pick up e-bikes and enjoy a ride to the Maroon Bells. Hop off your bike for a short hike for some amazing views, then bike back to return your rentals before transferring into Aspen to explore on your own for a couple hours. In the afternoon you’ll be picked up to transfer to your campground. Today you’ll want to wear athletic shoes or sneakers, comfortable shorts/pants for biking, and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle, and a small backpack is recommended.

• E-Bike to the Maroon Bells

  See the Maroon Bells in style as you skip the shuttles and take an e-bike through the mountain roads up to Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells Amphitheater. You’ll pick up the bikes just outside of Aspen and then head up into the hills. Then park the bikes and take the short hike to the lake for great views of the towering peaks and enjoy your packed lunch, then, head back down to return your e-bikes before driving to Aspen to explore. You will each have your own pedal assist e-bike that has a weight limit of 300 lbs. Bike Ride Distance: 6 miles one-way / Elevation / 1400 feet / Duration 45 minutes / Difficulty: Easy-Moderate. Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail: Distance: 1.5 miles loop / Elevation gain: 160 ft / Duration: 30-40 minutes / Difficulty: Easy

  · 240 min· Aspen
• Explore the Town of Aspen

  Transfer 15 minutes from the bike rental shop into the town of Aspen. The Hamptons of the West, Aspen is chock full of boutique shops, trendy restaurants, and some amazing art galleries. Explore the town before heading onwards to your campsite.

  · 120 min· Aspen
• Transfer · Montrose → Aspen

  Travel through the scenic Rocky Mountains to reach Aspen this morning. Stops for bathrooms will be made along the way as needed.

  180 min
• Transfer · Aspen → Carbondale

  Depart Aspen and head to the campground.

  60 min

Enjoy breakfast at camp before you hit the road again and transfer to Grand Lake. You’ll stop to hike by Grand Lake and Kawuneeche Valley before having lunch and continuing your scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. Half way through you’ll stop to hike up to an incredible view then continue to the campground where you’ll cook and eat dinner. Today you’ll want to wear hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes, bring a rain jacket, a water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.

• Hiking in Grand Lake and Kawuneeche Valley

  There are plenty of trails to choose from, ranging from an easy mile to a moderate three or four, all with incredible scenery and possible elk sightings! Your Guide will choose a hike based on the season and your group. *In order to comply with Rocky Mountain National Park regulations, the group will be split into two, with staggered start times.

  · 120 min· Grand Lake
• Alpine Ridge Hike

  About mid-way through your drive on the ridge road you’ll stop to stretch your legs. This short, intense hike up 225 stairs will take you to the high point of the road, with expansive views over the alpine tundra and nearby peaks. *In order to comply with Rocky Mountain National Park regulations, the group will be split into two, with staggered start times. Distance: 0.6 miles / Elevation: 162ft / Difficulty: Moderate

  · 60 min· Rocky Mountains
• Transfer · Carbondale → Grand Lake

  Take a transfer on to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. Stops for bathrooms/snacks will be made along the way as needed.

  210 min
• Transfer · Trail Ridge Road → Rocky Mountain National Park

  One of the premier drives in the entire United States, you'll pass through alpine tundra, forests, and mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, moose, bear, and more. Stretch your legs on the Alpine Ridge Trail to the high point of 11,900ft, and marvel at the various views as you head lower down towards Estes Park.

  60 min
• Transfer · Alpine Ridge → Estes Park KOA

  Continue your transfer to the campground.

  60 min

Today after breakfast you’ll squeeze in one more awesome hike before saying your goodbyes! You'll transfer to Emerald and Dream Lake for a hike before you have your final lunch and depart for the Denver airport.

• Emerald Lake and Dream Lake Hike

  From the Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, Emerald Lake is a steady climb through aspen groves and ponderosa pine. At just over a half-mile, you will reach Nymph Lake, a charming lake filled with pond lilies that bloom throughout summer. Another half-mile in, you will reach the east end of Dream Lake as well as a junction – from here Emerald Lake is just over a mile (~1 hour) with steady additional elevation gain of around 300 feet. Depending on time and how the group feels, they can continue to Emerald Lake. Distance to Dream Lake: 2.2 miles / Elevation: 425 feet / Duration: 1 hour / Difficulty: Moderate. Total Distance to Emerald Lake via Dream Lake: Distance: 3.8 miles / Elevation: 738 feet / Duration: 2 hours / Difficulty: Difficult. *In order to comply with Rocky Mountain National Park regulations, the group will be split into two, with staggered start times.

  · 120 min· Rocky Mountain National Park
• Transfer · Estes Park KOA → Dream Lake

  Depart your campground and transfer to Emerald and Dream Lake.

  60 min
• Transfer · Estes Park → Denver International Airport (DEN)

  TrovaTrip will provide one transfer from the campground to Denver International Airport (DEN) on the last day. Please book your flights after 6:00 P.M. Travelers departing outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own transfer arrangements to Denver International Airport (DEN). Stops for bathroom breaks will be made as needed on the way to the airport.

  120 min