Wilderness Trails, along with our exclusive tour operator Access Altitude are delighted to share our new San Juan Skyway Overland Adventure Bus Tour- or as we like to say, our AdvenTour, an authentic one of a kind travel opportunity chauffeured in our Executive Coach.

We take you to and through some of the most scenic, dramatic and captivating landscapes and communities in the world led by guides who are real Coloradoans that have a collective deep and sincere love and knowledge of the places and people of the San Juan Scenic Byway and Southwest Colorado.

You will be warmly greeted by your Lead Guide and given a brief orientation before departing on this truly unforgettable, relaxing and genuinely unique way to experience Colorado’s most breathtaking terrain and real cultural high-points in the absolute heart of Southwest Colorado.



The Coach



Our fully equipped and well-appointed motor coach is purpose built and designed for mountain driving. The coach is operated by a professional driver specifically chosen and trained with extensive experience in the exact conditions under which we operate. This affords our guests peace of mind in an intimate and tailor made trip in a safe, comfortable and relaxing way to experience one of the most rugged, unique and beautiful natural landscapes in the world.



Your Guides



We select Guides for their breadth of local knowledge and love of sharing it. From the moment we meet you until we say our difficult goodbyes, rest assured that the experiences, places, and characters you encounter along the way will be skillfully decoded and thoroughly explained by people who live and breathe Southwest Colorado. In addition to the Lead Trip Guide, the time we spend at Mesa Verde National Park will also include an additional on-board Park Guide to who is a trained stand alone expert in the Pre-Colombian culture of the Anasazi of Mesa Verde.

The San Juan Skyway is designated as an All American Road and a component in the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway System. It forms a 233.0-mile loop in the southwest part of the U.S. in the State of Colorado traversing the heart of the San Juan Mountains.

This amazing route was made a National Forest Scenic Byway in September 1988 and was later named Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway in 1989. In 1996, it was honored as an All-American Road.

If byways could claim royal lineage, this one would probably rule them all. Start with the major towns along the route - Durango, a well-preserved descendant of the Old West; picturesque Telluride, renowned for world-class skiing and film, jazz, and bluegrass festivals; and Silverton and Ouray, Victorian jewels tucked in deep alpine valleys. Add another crown - Mesa Verde National Park, home to one of the densest collections of prehistoric archeology in the U.S. - and five million acres of undisturbed national forest. Then there are the roads themselves, snaking through the valleys, woods and mountainsides in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks. The segment from Ouray to Silverton is called the "Million Dollar Highway." But we think you will agree, you can't put a price tag on this experience. (http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/scenic-byways/southwest/san-juan-skyway)

DAY 1 > Arrive in Durango, check-in at historic Strater Hotel in Durango.  We will provide recommendations for how to spend your day & night in Durango, exploring historical downtown Durango's old west shops, world-renowned galleries, micro-breweries & fine dining restaurants. 

DAY 2 > Check-out of the Strater Hotel (7:30-7:45am) & hop aboard the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (departs at 8:30am).  We will pick up your luggage at the Strater and meet you in Silverton at 12noon.  If you do not want to ride the train, you may also opt to ride in the coach along the Million Dollar Highway, over scenic passes Coal Bank and Molas.  We will depart Durango at 9:30am.

Arrive in Silverton at 12noon, meet at the Grand Imperial Hotel & Grumpy's Saloon for lunch, ragtime piano, & Overland Tour orientation.  After lunch, spend several hours exploring Silverton.  We will provide you with recommendations for the best sights & shops for the best Silverton experience based on your interests.

Depart Silverton around 3pm for Ouray.  We will stop along the way over Red Mountain Pass, the Idarado Mine, and along the Uncompahgre River Gorge.  

Arrive in Ouray at the Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs around 4:30pm.  We will check into the hotel and then you are free to explore Ouray.  There are natural hot spring tubs at the hotel, and the public hot springs just a short distance away offers additional soaking opportunities.  We will provide passes to the public pools.  The hotel is also located at the entrance to the Box Canyon Falls trail, an easy yet beautiful trail up a dramatic box canyon with rushing waters & waterfalls of the Uncompahgre River.

We will provide recommendations for dinner as well as a shuttle to the new Ouray Brewery Tap Room with riverside seating.  

DAY 3 > Depart Ouray around 8:30am to head over the Dallas Divide, past the Double RL Ranch (Ralph Lauren's incredible retreat in the Rockies), to arrive in Telluride around 10am.

We will park the Coach in Mountain Village and take the Gondola to the heart of Downtown Telluride.  The day is yours to explore this amazing mountain town.  We will provide recommendations for activities (such as mountain biking, hiking, jeep tours, riverwalks, etc.) as well as our favorite spots for good eats and mountain mechandise.  

Depart Telluride around 6pm.  We'll then ascend more mountains to watch the sunset over Lizard Head pass.  We will arrive in Rico at the Rico Hotel around 7:00pm.  Dinner will be at the Argentine Grille, with world-famous executive Chef, Eamonn O'Hara.  After dinner is a relaxing fire side evening of stargazing and stories.  

DAY 4 > Depart Rico after breakfast and arrive at Mesa Verde National park around 10:30am. Visit the Museum & Visitors Center before the Mesa Verde Heritage Lunch featuring cuisine inspired by the Anasazi and local harvests.  After lunch, our private park guide will accompany us on the Coach around the park with several stops and walking tours.  We will end the night with dinner at the Metate Grill and rest at the Far View Lodge with panoramic views & starry skies.

DAY 5 > Depart Mesa Verde National Park and arrive in Durango around 10:30am.  If you are not continuing with us to Wilderness Trails, we will drop you off in Durango at the Strater Hotel OR take you to the airport.  We will continue to the ranch just in time for lunch, an orientation, and short afternoon ride.

We look forward to sharing this one-of-a-kind experience through a place that is second to none.

When you are ready to check off a once in a lifetime trip from your bucket list, just give us a call or drop us an email for additional details and information on the specific trip itineraries and your dates.