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Western Horizons: Mesa Verde to Moab
Journey through the heart of the American frontier - exploring charming mining towns, traveling aboard a historic steam train, and discovering the awe-inspiring landscapes of Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Arches, and Canyonlands in the rugged Southwest.
Uncover the "Wild West" in the mountains that protect sacred lands, in rugged canyons that capture the essence of evolution, and in abundant rivers that sing with the American story. Feel the nostalgia of the frontier in mountain towns where you can easily imagine a cowboy from a western movie riding past parlors, saloons, and trading posts. As you continue your journey, meaningful visits to Mesa Verde and Monument Valley will immerse you in the roots of Native American culture among natural wonders, where rich traditions and an enduring spirit flourish beneath the open skies of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. From the peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the deserts of Canyonlands, explore by horseback, train, and river raft - each step connecting you to the heart of the American West.
Featured Destinations
Monument Valley
Monument Valley
A window into the Navajo Nation's culture rests in Monument Valley of the Colorado Plateau. For over 250,000 years sandstone masterpieces towers between 400 - 1,000 feet high photographed with scenic clouds, casting shadows, and spellbinding shapes.
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Destination Guide
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Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Located in southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde is one of the best places to view the ancient cliff dwellings built by the Anasazi. They lived throughout the area from about AD 550-1300, when their dwellings were suddenly abandoned. Other popular sites are at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona and Hovenweep National Monument on the Utah-Colorado border. Mesa Verde is special because the cliff dwellings can be viewed at close range. Some tours even let visitors enter the structures. As the name suggests, Mesa Verde is on a mesa; therefore, visitors must make a long but beautiful drive across the upland plateau to reach the ruins. There are great views of the distant San Juan Mountains from scenic pull-offs along the way. The Mesa Verde Research and Visitor Center sells tickets for the guided tours, and the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum offers an introduction to the Anasazi culture and its communities at Mesa Verde. Most of the park attractions are open mid-April to mid-October. More than 600 cliff dwellings can be viewed in the park, but there are three standouts: Spruce Tree House, Cliff Palace and Balcony House. Spruce Tree House is tucked beneath a cliff just a short walk from the museum; however, rock falls and unstable pueblo architecture have forced park officials to restrict access to this ruin. Visitors can still view it from overlooks near the museum. Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America and can only be reached on a guided tour. A tour is also required to see Balcony House, perched in a cave high above the valley floor. The tour involves climbing up and down several ladders. A visit to Mesa Verde could fill two days, but a half-day is enough time to make the drive across the plateau and see one or two of the ruins. There's a campground and a lodge in the park for those spending the night. The park is open daily, and the entrance fee is US$15 per vehicle November-April, US$20 per vehicle May-October for a seven-day pass. Phone 970-529-4465. https://www.nps.gov/meve.
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Destination Guide
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Durango
Durango
Durango was established in 1881 as a frontier mining town. But many of the old-time settlers discovered they got more out of the scenery than the mines. Nestled in the Animas River Valley, in the afternoon shadows of the San Juan Mountains, people still get pretty much the same feeling. There’s something about being where picture-postcard beauty circles like an old wagon train. It tends to slow folks down a notch or two and let their best side catch up to them.
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Destination Guide
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Moab
Moab
Located on the banks of the Colorado River, nestled in a fertile green valley between soaring red sandstone cliffs, the town of Moab is truly an emerald in the desert. Moab’s close proximity to several national and state parks has made it a popular destination, and a wonderful location to begin any adventure in southeastern Utah. The majestic LaSal Mountains tower over the southern end of town attaining heights of nearly 13,000 feet. Just five miles north of town is Arches National Park, which contains the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches. Thirty miles west of Moab is Canyonlands National Park, containing over 500 square miles of incredibly rugged and spectacular canyon country.
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Destination Guide
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View Full Itinerary
Valid Date Ranges
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May 2026
| 05/20/2026 |
05/28/2026 |
$7,490 per person
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| 05/27/2026 |
06/04/2026 |
$6,490 per person
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| 05/31/2026 |
06/08/2026 |
$7,490 per person
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June 2026
| 06/07/2026 |
06/15/2026 |
$6,490 per person
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| 06/10/2026 |
06/18/2026 |
$7,490 per person
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| 06/24/2026 |
07/02/2026 |
$6,890 per person
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August 2026
| 08/16/2026 |
08/24/2026 |
$5,990 per person
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| 08/26/2026 |
09/03/2026 |
$7,490 per person
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September 2026
| 09/13/2026 |
09/21/2026 |
$6,490 per person
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| 09/16/2026 |
09/24/2026 |
$7,490 per person
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| 09/27/2026 |
10/05/2026 |
$7,490 per person
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