The San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado are an unspoiled summertime adventure haven. Deer stand with their fawns on the edge of aspen forests as you horse ride through “Sound of Music” meadows. Wildflowers flourish along the valley while biking the old Galloping Goose trail into Telluride. The town of Silverton is great fun to explore and natural hot pools in Ouray envelope us under the stars. What a contrast these green valleys are to our stay in the high desert of Canyon de Chelly and Mesa Verde. Walk in the footsteps of the Anasazi, enjoy waterfalls in the mountains and kayak small rapids on the Colorado. What a splendid mix of contrasting experiences this trip is.
Saturday
Meet at 3 pm in Sedona at Sedona-Phoenix Shuttle drop-off point at Super 8 motel and check in. Tour Sedona including a visit to a vortex and a hike. Dinner at Cheryl's house in Sedona.
Sunday
Leave Sedona by 8 am . Hike into Walnut Canyon and walk through Sinagua Indian dwellings. Visit Little Painted Desert. Drive to Hopi Cultural Center for lunch. Visit Hopi villages. Drive to Chile. Take a jeep ride into Canyon de Chelly including a visit to famous White House ruins. Camp the night inside canyon. Dinner and campfire with our Navajo storyteller.
Monday
Visit enchanting Spider Rock before leaving Canyon de Chelly. Drive to Cortez for lunch then on to Mesa Verde National Park. Explore Spruce Tree House, an archeological wonder. Drive to Durango and check into our hotel for the evening. Dinner in Durango.
Tuesday
Travel to the old-west mining town of Silverton. Near Silverton, we'll take a two-hour horseback ride at a high country stables. The scenery is breathtaking and hopefully we'll see deer and elk. There's time to explore Silverton after lunch, then we'll travel over the million-dollar highway to the adorable mountain town of Ouray. Ride a small train down into the Bachelor Syracuse Mine and learn the heritage of this area. Check into our motel and after dinner soak under the stars in luxurious natural hot pools.
Wednesday
Drive over to the beautiful skiing town of Telluride. Ride bikes down the Galloping Goose trail, a wonderful mixture of forest and lakes, mountain flowers and stunning views. Lunch in Telluride with time to explore afterwards. Take a gondola ride above the town in the afternoon. Drive to La Sal, Utah where we'll enjoy accommodation and dinner at a cozy country B&B. Massages available.
Thursday
Drive to Moab via a stop at Hole in the Rock, an amazing home created in sandstone. We'll have time for shopping before joining a float trip on the Colorado River in rafts and inflatable kayaks. Tonight we’ll stay in cabins. Dinner at the Moab Brewery.
Friday
An early start today, a quick stop for breakfast and a wonderful hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Drive to Monument Valley for great photo opportunities and lunch at Gouldings Lodge. View Dinosaur tracks outside Tuba City. Return to Sedona for the evening and our farewell dinner.
