Best of Rocky Mountain Tour
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (16 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Diverse Day Hikes
- Breathtaking Mountain Scenery
- Waterfalls & Wildlife
- Pristine Rivers, Creeks & Lakes
- Wonderful Mountain Lodging & Meals
- Abundant Wildlife Habitat
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Guides Choice Trip
Description
Our 5-Day Best of Rocky Mountain National Park Tour is an inn-based immersion in the ecology, human, and natural history of the Colorado Rockies. From our base in comfortable and historic lodging in Estes Park, Colorado, weāll experience all of the diversity the Park has to offer: from pristine mountain lakes to high peaks and alpine glaciers, to the iconic Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep – our hikes are chosen to highlight the most remarkable features of this National Park.
We begin our tour from our lodging base in Estes Park, Colorado, gateway to Rocky. Weāll stay at a lovely lakeside lodge minutes from the national park boundary, with each day of adventure designed to create a unique experience and window into the Parkās variety and beauty.
$2610 Per Person
$650 Single Supplement
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 10 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 4-10 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 2380 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 2380 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Well maintained
- Additional:
- This trip goes up over 12,000 feet in elevation. It’s best to arrive in Estes Park a day or two early to acclimatize.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise several times per week
- be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles per day in hilly or mountainous terrain taking occasional breaks
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Rocky Mountain National Park Inn-based Tour a Solitude Level 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
Travel to Estes Park
All Rocky Mountain National Park trips begin and end from Estes Park, Colorado. Estes Park does not have an airport. The most convenient airport is Denver International Airport (DIA), which is served by most major airlines and is an inexpensive airport to fly into. From DIA one can take a shuttle or rent a car to reach Estes Park. It is a 1.5-hour drive from DIA to Estes Park on good roads.
Estes Park Shuttle: 970-586-5151 (earliest shuttle leaves Denver International Airport at 5:00 am and arrives in Estes Park at 8:00 am)
SuperShuttle: 970-482-0505
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.Ā
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to trailhead: 2 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
- Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
This Rocky Mountain National Park hiking tour begins with a day of high country exploration and acclimatization, as we spend much of our first day above treeline, touring the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Starting at 11,400 Feet, we’ll begin our hiking tour on the famous Ute Trail. This trail provides superb views of summits, ancient volcanoes, glaciers, and often wildlife. From our vantage point we will have an amazing view of tomorrow’s adventures.
After our starter hike, we will continue down the road for another brief hike at The Alpine Ridge visitor center. This viewpoint resides above the headwaters of the Colorado River and offers breath taking views of the Never Summer Range.
Please Note: Weāll always have good alternatives if weather or other factors require an itinerary change. Also, itās important to dress in layers and prepare for cold and windy conditions above treeline.
Day 2
- Shuttle to trailhead: 1 hour
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1520 feet
- Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
Today weāll find the pleasures and power of mountain water: from rushing rivers and waterfalls, to high mountain lakes. Our hike will take us through the reaches of Wild Basin, a wildlife- and flower-strewn region of the Park. Moose have recently been seen in this river valley as well!
Weāll hike along the North Saint Vrain River, past Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls to Ouzel Lake and the mountain cirque that envelopes it. From there, time and interest permitting, weāll continue along to the higher reaches of Bluebird Lake and take in another view of the Continental Divide beyond. From there itās back down trail to our lodging, where evening dinner awaits.
Day 3
- Shuttle to trailhead: 20 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1440 feet
- Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
Day 3 will find us headed into the land of glaciers, past and present. Weāll make an “alpine start”, with an early breakfast and early departure to Glacier Gorge, the trailhead from which weāll begin our ascent.
Our route will take us past Alberta Falls, into the sub-alpine forest, and from to a emerald string of mountain lakes, from Mills to Jewel, and at last to Black Lake, which sits in a silent and imposing mountain cirque, testament to the power of glacial ice. Weāll enjoy a hearty lunch, scope out the granite crags above us, including Spearhead and Keyboard of the Winds, before making our way home to Estes for the evening. On our return weāll get great views of Andrews Glacier, the pyramidal Storm Peak, and the stark vastness of Longs Peak, Pagoda, and Chiefs Head mountains.
Day 4
- Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 9+ miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2380 feet
- Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
Our time spent hiking at altitude has prepared us for an ambitious hike to the Chasm Cirque. Our trail begins with a steep start and gradually eases as we crest above tree line and are welcomed with a view of Long’s Peak. Arriving to Chasm Lake, one can not help being enthralled by the 1,800 foot vertical cliff known as “The Diamond.” A world-famous climb, weāll likely see rock climbers high above us on this granite wall while we enjoy lunch. We will take our time returning the way we came, while enjoying the countless wildflowers that seemingly bring the mountain meadows to life.
Day 5
- Shuttle to trailhead: 10 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
Our final day together weāll enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then make our way to Gem Lake Trailhead, nestled within the ancient granite cliffs and boulders of Lumpy Ridge. We will hike in a labyrinth of rock formations, while taking in amazing views of the country weāve walked through the previous days. The route provides excellent opportunities for photography, relaxation, and serves as a great last hike. After lunch at the lake, weāll make our way back to Estes Park to conclude our tour.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 4 nights of premier lodging in Estes Park
- Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Colorado hiking guide
- Transportation for the duration of the tour (beginning and ending in Estes Park)
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear and footwear
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
We provide all your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day. Your guide will prepare breakfasts and lunches with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities. Feel free to tell us about your food preferences, as we’re more than happy to tailor the menu to your needs/desires. Some specialty diets may require an additional fee.
For dinners, we’ve hand-picked local restaurants you’re sure to enjoy! We made our decisions based on the quality of their food, their charm, and how much local color and character they have.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear To Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you canĀ click hereĀ to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if youāre ready to register weāll email you a link to a registration profile. Youāll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info ā weāre here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group in Estes Park, Colorado at 8:30 AM the first day of the trip (if staying in Denver, Estes Park Shuttle offers a 5:00-8:00 am shuttle). Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip and will specify the exact location of the orientation meeting at that point.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
You will meet your guide and group in Estes Park at 8:30 am the first day of the trip. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The standard group size on this hiking tour is 6 guests and 1 guide, with a maximum of 10 guests and 2 guides. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
Being a high mountain environment, the Rocky Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Colorado’s high country. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 71Ā° | 48Ā° |
| July | 79Ā° | 55Ā° |
| August | 78Ā° | 53Ā° |
| September | 69Ā° | 45Ā° |
Accommodations
INN ON FALL RIVER
4 nights
This extremely cozy, scenic lodge is located on the shores of a majestic mountain creek and offers a natural but modern lodging experience perfect for our Rocky Mountain adventure.
(creekside spas)
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Tanya D
Fun Daily Adventures
Gorgeous, challenging, fun daily adventures with an excellent guide. Learned and saw so much more than if we had ventured out on our own. Recommended for busy, active people who want to show up and have a great time.
Jeffrey S.
Absolutely Amazing
Breathtaking views, great company, and an experience to last a lifetime. Well worth the price of admission, I would urge anyone to take one of these beautiful trips.
Rachel R.
Memorable & Valuable Experience!
Such a valuable experience. My boyfriend and I love exploring national parks, but it's usually just on our own. Having Tamara guide us to the best hikes all based upon what we wanted to see and of course, the weather, was absolutely fantastic. She was extremely knowledgable about all things Rocky Mountain. We had a blast on the trip due to her guidance and advice! Beautiful views, challenging and exhilarating hikes, unique wildlife, great food, and great company! Of all the ways we have visited national parks over the years, this has been, by far, the most memorable and valuable experience. There is nothing like having a knowledgable guide along with you. Thank you, Wildland Trekking, most especially Tamara!
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