Colorado Multi-Adventure Trip!
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado Gators, Whitewater Rafting, Rocky Mountain National Park
Peaks, Prairies, Valleys, and Views
Cost: $600/person (not including flights and food)
Trip length: 5 Days, 4 nights
What's included: Van Transportation in Colorado, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, park entrance and camping fees, rafting fees, Gator-Aid course. (See below for more details)
Difficulty rating: Moderate (level 3) Rating System
Group size: 10 guests plus your guide, Sam.
Summary
The majestic Rocky Mountains boast unrivaled splendor, thrilling adventures, and memories waiting to be made on this 5-day adventure trip through a variety of landscapes and experiences in Colorado!
Come and find your place in the mountains. Experience the deep sense of belonging that comes from being in the presence of nature's grandeur. Let the Rockies inspire you to dream bigger and breathe deeper. You'll return home with more than just memories – you'll carry the enduring spirit of the mountains in your heart.
What Makes It Great
The things that make Colorado so challenging are also what make it so great. High-altitude dry mountain air is ideal for stargazing and Great Sand Dunes is officially an International Dark Sky Park.
Enjoy the tallest sand dunes in North America against the backdrop of rugged 14,000' peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountains—the 30 square mile sand dune field, with no designated trails—invites you on an adventure. The natural and diverse system of the park ranges from great sand dunes to forests, from cottonwood groves to majestic mountain peaks and tundra. The Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center and campground areas are at about 8,200'.
Who's Going to Love It
If you love a good outdoor adventure, put Colorado on your list!
Helpful links:
Great Sand Dunes - Alamosa, CO
Maps
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Denver. Drive 4 hours to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Set up camp at Pinyon Campground then hike to the top of the dunes for a world-class sunset and high-altitude stargazing!
Cleary see the Milky Way stretch across the sky on a clear night and marvel at silence due to the sound-dampening sand.
Day 2
Enjoy the morning at the Dunes.
Pack up camp then take a short drive to Colorado Gators Reptile Park for a leisurely afternoon of Alligator Wrestling!
Wash off that mud with a quick shower at Dunes Pool.
Drive an hour and a half to our campground near Buena Vista.
Enjoy a campfire and the beautiful night sky!
Day 3
Whitewater rafting through Brown's Canyon with Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting Co!
Drive 3 hours to our campground near Grand Lake at the West entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Enjoy the fresh air, sunset, and beautiful night sky!
Day 4
Enter Rocky Mountain National Park and enjoy the scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road up to the Alpine Visitor Center at almost 12,000 feet elevation
Enjoy a day hike.
Continue driving through the park and then enjoy dinner in the town of Estes Park.
Camp near Bear Lake in the southwest portion of the park.
Enjoy a campfire and the beautiful night sky!
Day 5
Enjoy a sunrise hike to scenic Bear Lake and Dream Lake.
Drive 2 hours to Denver International Airport and fly home.
#Vanlife
What’s Included and provided:
Professional instruction and guiding throughout the entire trip. 5 days, 4 nights
Campsite and park entrance fees
Round-trip transportation in a premium rented Ford Transit or similar van.
Gear:
Tents (2-person tents unless otherwise noted)
Sleeping Bags
Backpacks
Sleeping pads
Group cooking gear
Group first-aid kit
Water filter
Small towels
Instead of a 5-star hotel, you get a 5-million star view!
Requirements
Sense of adventure!
Cheerful and flexible attitude :-)
Expect to stop and savor - sunsets, sunrises, peaceful scenes, wildlife, etc.
Able to hike up to 5 miles per day with a loaded pack through rough, uneven terrain.
Guest packing list:
Snacks and money for meals throughout the trip
Hiking shoes/boots
Merino wool socks (not cotton!)
Spare socks
Hat to protect from the sun
Clothing
Clothes to hike in
Clean clothes to sleep in
Clean clothes for the ride home
Sunscreen (small container)
Toiletries, personal items, medications (could include sleeping aids, painkillers, allergy meds, etc.)
Optional items:
Small pillow (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Headlamp or small flashlight (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Lightweight camp shoes/sandals
Sunglasses
Lightweight rain jacket
Hiking stick or trekking poles
Headphones for van rides
Earplugs
Phone charger
Camera
Hammock
Swimsuit
What NOT to bring:
negative attitude
Speaker (allow those around you to enjoy the sounds of nature)
Not Included
Transportation to our group meeting point
Insurance of any kind
Items of a personal nature
Payments:
Payment options:
1. Cash or check in-person.
2. Venmo payments to: @Adventure605 (Be careful! Make sure to send it to the account with my picture on it, not an account with a very similar name!)
3. Paypal to 605.988.4098
4. Request (through email) a digital invoice. I'll send a link from my bank account allowing you to securely pay using a credit/debit card.
Questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
More questions? Email sam@605adventure.com