Mesa Verde Full Day Tour with Cliff Palace and Lunch
Your day trip begins in the morning at the tour office in Durango, where you'll hop aboard an air-conditioned vehicle for the ride to Mesa Verde National Park. Upon arrival, head first to the visitor center for an orientation to the park's features, and then visit Cliff Palace, which is thought to have held special meaning to the Ancestral Puebloans. A box lunch catered by a local bakery is provided, after which you'll explore Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling inside the park. Throughout your tour, enjoy insightful commentary from your guide about the culture, architecture, and history of these dwellings and the people who lived in them. Your tour ends with the drive back to the tour office in Durango, where you'll arrive in the early evening.
Highlights
- ✓Full-day tour from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park
- ✓Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of this World Heritage site
- ✓Learn about the Ancestral Puebloan Native American culture
- ✓Lunch, entrance fee, and transportation to the park included
What you'll see & do
- ✓Meet at our Durango Office to shuttle over to Mesa Verde with your guide! The drive is incredibly scenic and takes about 45 minutes while driving past the La Plata Mountains. Once there, you'll visit the top sites along the mesa before your expedition into Cliff Palace. This portion of the tour lasts about 45 minutes, and includes climbing a narrow staircase and series of ladders to reach the dwellings. The rangers will provide some interpretation, while giving you time to wander beneath the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the sites or overlooks, before continuing to more ancient villages and sacred kivas to explore. Expect a lot of information along the way! Our guides offer far more insight and knowledge about the sites than visitors going on their own, as posted information and placards are limited throughout the Park. After a stop at a spectacular lookout of the Four Corners Region, we'll shuttle back to Durango!
What's included
- ✓Entry pass to Mesa Verde National Park
- ✓Ranger guided tour into Cliff Palace
- ✓Shuttle to, through and from the park
- ✓Knowledgeable Mesa Verde guide / driver
- ✓Local Deli Lunch and Beverages
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You must bring your own car seats for children who require them. CO Car Seat Law states that children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat.
Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and water are recommended.
Dress in layers. Summer is cool in the morning and hot by the afternoon. Bring a warm coat, hat, and gloves for fall, winter, and spring.
Part of the tour may include climbing 10 ft. ladders made of Tree Trunks. Not all travelers are required to participate in this part but this is required in order to exit Cliff Palace
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Mesa Verde Full Day Tour with Cliff Palace and Lunch
Your day trip begins in the morning at the tour office in Durango, where you'll hop aboard an air-conditioned vehicle for the ride to Mesa Verde National Park. Upon arrival, head first to the visitor center for an orientation to the park's features, and then visit Cliff Palace, which is thought to have held special meaning to the Ancestral Puebloans. A box lunch catered by a local bakery is provided, after which you'll explore Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling inside the park. Throughout your tour, enjoy insightful commentary from your guide about the culture, architecture, and history of these dwellings and the people who lived in them. Your tour ends with the drive back to the tour office in Durango, where you'll arrive in the early evening.
Highlights
- ✓Full-day tour from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park
- ✓Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of this World Heritage site
- ✓Learn about the Ancestral Puebloan Native American culture
- ✓Lunch, entrance fee, and transportation to the park included
What you'll see & do
- ✓Meet at our Durango Office to shuttle over to Mesa Verde with your guide! The drive is incredibly scenic and takes about 45 minutes while driving past the La Plata Mountains. Once there, you'll visit the top sites along the mesa before your expedition into Cliff Palace. This portion of the tour lasts about 45 minutes, and includes climbing a narrow staircase and series of ladders to reach the dwellings. The rangers will provide some interpretation, while giving you time to wander beneath the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the sites or overlooks, before continuing to more ancient villages and sacred kivas to explore. Expect a lot of information along the way! Our guides offer far more insight and knowledge about the sites than visitors going on their own, as posted information and placards are limited throughout the Park. After a stop at a spectacular lookout of the Four Corners Region, we'll shuttle back to Durango!
What's included
- ✓Entry pass to Mesa Verde National Park
- ✓Ranger guided tour into Cliff Palace
- ✓Shuttle to, through and from the park
- ✓Knowledgeable Mesa Verde guide / driver
- ✓Local Deli Lunch and Beverages
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You must bring your own car seats for children who require them. CO Car Seat Law states that children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat.
Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and water are recommended.
Dress in layers. Summer is cool in the morning and hot by the afternoon. Bring a warm coat, hat, and gloves for fall, winter, and spring.
Part of the tour may include climbing 10 ft. ladders made of Tree Trunks. Not all travelers are required to participate in this part but this is required in order to exit Cliff Palace
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.