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Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour

Poughkeepsie, NY
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527 posts
165 reviews
193 helpful votes
Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour
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This is our first time in the Denver area. We ( 3 of us, wife, daughter, and me ) would like to do some kind of Rocky Mountain bus tour for a day. Or, a scenic drive/walking tour close to Denver/Boulder? No strenuous hikes or bikes, just a mellow day about a couple of hours away from Denver ( or closer? ). Thanks.

Windsor, Colorado
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18,155 posts
126 reviews
96 helpful votes
1. Re: Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour
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A bus tour of Rocky Mountain National Park takes about 10 hours round trip from Denver. Here are some to check.

http://www.grayline.com/tours/denver/rocky-mountain-national-park-5908_2/

I don't really like the Gray Line Tour itinerary. It does not actually spend much time in RMNP itself. There is no reason to stop in Winter Park. The tour enters RMNP from the western and less scenic side of RMNP. Most people prefer to enter from the eastern side. The most dramatic views are on the east side and you want to see them earlier in the day before clouds move in.

http://www.coloradowildernessridesandguides.com/sightseeing/

This tour does enter from the east side of RMNP, travels Trail Ridge Road as far as the Alpine Visitor Center and also includes RMNP Bear Lake Road and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

http://www.coloradosightseer.com/4summer.php

This tour also enters from the east side of RMNP.

Do note that all of the above companies offer other tours from Denver.

Will you have a car? If so, there are several mountain areas within 2 hours drive of Denver in addition to RMNP. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway (the last 5 miles are white knuckle) starts about 30 minutes from Denver. You could drive about 90 minutes to Manitou Springs and take the Cog Railway up Pike's Peak. The Cog takes about 3 hours. Lookout Mountain is another very close option. You will see beautiful scenery and mountains if you just drive west on I-70.

Edited: 9 years ago
New York City, New...
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71 posts
9 reviews
5 helpful votes
2. Re: Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour
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Hi all, I hate to jump into someone else' inquiry but am in a similar situation with 3 people (my parents mid 60s and me) hoping to do a bus tour of Rocky Mountains or other CO natural surroundings - full day, no car so dependent on transport, with some mellow walking/hiking and get back to Denver by night-time. Saw the GrayLine itinerary and seems rather drab and confined to the bus ... any ideas, thoughts would be greatly appreciated... many thanks in advance!!

Windsor, Colorado
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18,155 posts
126 reviews
96 helpful votes
3. Re: Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour
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Look at the other two tour companies for which I gave links in my reply. Their RMNP itineraries are different from Gray Line.

WestSlope,CO
Destination Expert
for Colorado
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15,143 posts
161 reviews
161 helpful votes
4. Re: Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour
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I believe Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides will do a custom tour, too. You could talk to them about how much walking/hiking you want to do. There is another private guide I've seen mentioned that usually books through hotel concierges. Can't seem to find the previous post but will look for it.

WestSlope,CO
Destination Expert
for Colorado
Level Contributor
15,143 posts
161 reviews
161 helpful votes
5. Re: Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour
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Here are the previous links I was thinking of as possibilities: (no personal experience with either one)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g33388-i253-k5353811-A_Guide_Out_West_web_site_for_Denver_Co-Denver_Colorado.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g33388-i253-k4564289-Scenic_Mountain_Bus_tours_in_Denver_area_A_GREAT_Find-Denver_Colorado.html

6. Re: Bus tour to Rocky Mts./ or mellow walking tour

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