September 1st – 5th

5 Days – 4 Nights

Journey back in time to the Old West when you explore Durango, Colorado. Ride the Rails on a 140-year-old steam train, discover Pueblo Indian history by visiting ancient cliff dwellings and explore the thrill of either off-roading or whitewater rafting. Durango is steeped in Southwestern culture and known for it’s amazing scenery and outdoor adventures. So why not fill a long weekend experiencing it with other fun-seeking single travelers?

ITINERARY

Day 1: Durango

Your weekend begins when you land at the Durango Airport (DRO) and make your way to the Holiday Inn Express Durango, located in the heart of downtown. Check-in to your Riverview Room and relax or take a walk around downtown. Durango’s Main Street is exactly what you would expect to see in an old western mining town. In fact it is listed on the National Register of Historic Districts. Meet your host at 6:30 pm in the lobby for a meet and greet before walking about 2 minutes to the 11th Street Station, where seven food trucks encircle the original service station, now turned into Ernie’s Bar. From tacos to pizza, sushi to Thai cuisine and gourmet sliders.

Day 2: Cascade Canyon Express Train

Today we ride the rails of the Cascade Canyon Express, known as one of the most scenic American train journeys. Relive the sights and sounds of yesterday with a spectacular ride aboard the historic, coal-fired, steam-powered train that has been in operation since 1882. This unforgettable excursion journeys to Cascade Canyon offering magnificent views of the Animas River and the snow-clad peaks of the Rocky Mountains. As the train winds through breathtaking canyons in the remote wilderness of the San Juan National Forest, experience the wilds of Colorado like the original miners and pioneers did. Cascade Canyon is a destination like no other and is the perfect setting to enjoy our pre-boxed lunches and take a walk along the Animas River during our 60-minute layover. Spanning 26 miles of nature’s most dynamic beauty, this 5 hour experience is a jaw-dropping way to start our trip. Just sit back, relax and be amazed as we wind through steep mountain canyons and the high mountain curves in our open air gondola.

Upon our return to Durango, we will have time to explore the 12,000 square foot Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum tucked in the back of the rail yard. The Museum was created in 1998 utilizing 8 stalls of the ‘new’ 15-stall roundhouse built in 1989.

Tonight we walk back towards the train depot for our Welcome Dinner at T’s Smokehouse & Grill. T’s specializes in Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que, Southern & Creole/Cajun Food, Fresh Ground Angus Burgers and Po’boys on Leidenheimer Bread shipped from New Orleans.

Day 3: Mesa Verde National Park

About 35 miles from Durango is the Mesa Verde National Park. Today we will spend the day exploring the National Park that was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archaeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. Sometime during the late 1190s, after primarily living on the mesa top for 600 years, many Ancestral Puebloans began living in pueblos they built beneath the overhanging cliffs. The structures ranged in size from one-room storage units to villages of more than 150 rooms.

Our first stop is at the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center for an orientation of the park and to view native artifacts. As we depart the Center, we will see archaeological sites along the Mesa Top Loop Road, a 6-mile drive that can be described as a tour through time. Along the road, you’ll find short, easily-accessible paved trails to view twelve archeological sites, including surface sites, pit houses, pueblos and overlooks of kiva-type cliff dwellings—the ancient homes and villages of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here for more than 700 years. Our guide will point out some of the most notable and best-preserved cliff dwelling ruins, including Far View community, Spruce Tree House, Cedar Tree Tower and Balcony House. We will stop at the overlook of the famous Cliff Palace, the largest and most famous cliff dwelling with over 150 individual rooms and more than 20 kivas (rooms for religious rituals). Along the way we will stop to enjoy our provided lunch while appreciating the beauty of the landscape that was home to generations of Ancestral Pueblo people. Let’s check out one of the local Brew Pubs for dinner tonight then we will go to the Wild West Saloon, Durango’s favorite and largest adult playground.

Day 4: 4×4 Wilderess Jeep Tour – Afternoon at Leisure

Enjoy an off-road expedition into La Plata Canyon, a hidden treasure nestled in the La Plata Mountains. Several small waterfalls and cascading rivers follow the rugged jeep trails along with lots of wildlife such as marmots, mule deer, elk herds, juncos, kingfishers, turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks and bald eagles. Our knowledgeable tour guide will regale us with stories of the old mining days and provide interpretation of the local geography, flora, and fauna as we travel to the top of Kennebec Pass. Once we arrive at the summit, get out, stretch your legs, and snap photos of Durango’s most iconic mountain peaks.

This afternoon is your time to shop and explore Durango on your own or with your new friends. Durango is the perfect place to shop ’til you drop with over 500 shops, from clothing stores and home & gift stores to bike and outdoor gear shops. Need to do something more active? Then go for a hike, try zip-lining, rent a kayak or an e-bike. Whatever you decide upon, you will have a wonderful afternoon.

Tonight we celebrate great times at the Diamond Belle Saloon, revered as one of the most famous original ragtime piano bars in the Wild West. The Belle menu includes some of the local favorites, served by the famous Belle Girls in period costume. Listen to good music and enjoy fine food at our Farewell Dinner.

Day 5: Depart Durango

Time for breakfast before our wonderful weekend in Durango, Colorado comes to an end. Make your way to the airport according to your individual flight schedules and have a safe flight home!