History & Heritage Tour
Durango, CO
Mesa Verde National Park
Half Day Tour
Mesa Verde 1/2 Day Trip Highlights
- Witness the largest archaeological preserve and cliff dwelling in the United States.
- Explore ancient ruins atop the mesa for a snapshot into North American life 1,500 years ago.
- Mesa Verde is so saturated with artifacts, pottery shards and arrowheads still scatter the ground throughout the park.
- Views of the lush canyons, everlasting valleys, and surrounding mountain ranges are incredible sites all their own.
- Experience a National Park that comes with serenity, where traffic is always light and sites can be enjoyed without crowds.
Location
Mancos, CO
Adventure Level
Mild
Meet Time
8:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Return
12:00 PM & 5:00 PM
About This Trip
Mesa Verde National Park is a scenic dreamscape of mystery and ancient wonders. Its abandoned metropolis was cultivated between 500 CE and 1300 CE. Why the ancestral Puebloans left these enchanting mesas below the Rocky Mountains is still uncertain. Our Half Day tour will show off this outdoor museum with plenty of insight on the ancient indigenous culture, the history of the Park, and more.
A Half Day tour follows Mesa Verde’s most popular spots in just 4 hours. This tour is ideal for those who would enjoy a relaxing drive with a few short walks to ancient ruins and overlooks of the cliff dwellings. It’s a wonderful way to spend the morning before heading out on another tour for the afternoon or vice versa. It’s also just a great and affordable option by itself! For an in-depth interpretation and the opportunity to explore the cliff dwellings up close, we recommend taking a Full Day (8hour) Discovery Tour. Half-Day tours always meet at the Mancos Visitor Center.
It’s no question that locals and past visitors consider Mesa Verde National Park a must-visit. It allows us a rare opportunity to experience preserved North American history before European contact. Joining a Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours guide ensures guests will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of authentic Southwestern culture.
Trip Options
Mesa Verde 1/2 Day Tour
4hr guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park. See the best sites in a limited time frame.
New Flexible Payment & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Cancellation Policy
We know plans change… so we offer a lenient cancellation policy. With optional upgraded cancellation, receive a 100% refund up until 24hrs prior to trip.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 8% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Itinerary
8:00 AM or 1:00 PM
Meet your guide at the Mancos Visitor Center: 101 E Bauer Ave, Mancos, CO 81328
Sit back and relax on the scenic 30-minute drive up to Mesa Verde National Park.
Your guide will stop for overlooks and short walks to archaeological sites dating back between 500 CE and 1200 CE.
Enjoy panoramic views of an ancient city scattered along the cliffs, and take in the scenery while your guide provides interpretive lessons of the ancestral Puebloans.
The last stop promises for an incredible view with a short walk uphill. You’ll see Colorado and Utah mountains, an archaic volcano in New Mexico, and a sweeping desert into Arizona.
12:00 PM or 5:00 PM
Return to your vehicle at the Mancos Visitor Center at 12:30 PM.
Important Considerations
- Colorado Car Seat Law states children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat. Please bring your own.
- Dress in layers. Summer is cool in the morning and hot by the afternoon. Fall, Winter and Spring bring a warm coat, hat and gloves.
- Bring sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, camera, water bottle and cash for any treats or souvenirs.
- Descend a flight of stairs to access Cliff Palace. To exit, climb three sturdy ladders about 10 feet each. If you prefer, you can view Cliff Palace from the overlook.
Trip Highlights
- Learn the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans
- Hike around ancient architectural marvels
- Experience guided tours full of up-to-date information on the dwellings
- Great trip for the whole family – educational, entertaining, memories that last a lifetime!