Mesa Verde Private Tour
About This Tour
Come take a look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made the area known as Mesa Verde National Park their home, for over 700 years, from 600 C.E. to 1300 C.E.!
Experience some of the most notable and best-preserved cliff-dwelling and archaeological sites in the United States. Mesa Verde encompasses over 80 square miles and protects over 5,000 archaeological sites, including the famous Cliff Palace and nearly 600 cliff dwellings, some of which are more than 800 years old.
When you book this tour you’ll sit back and relax while our experienced, knowledgeable archaeologist-trained guide takes you around the National Park. With your guide’s knowledge, you will be able to ask questions, read literature, and listen to your own customized tour of the park.
You get to save gas, time, and entrance fees with our guided tours. All of our vehicles are comfortable with air conditioning for those hot summer months and heated for the winter months.
With plenty of mesa-top ruins to visit, panoramic views of the large cliff dwellings, and open hiking trails, there is a lot to see and experience at Mesa Verde National Park! Come join us on one of our private tours that will immerse you into a time full of mystery and intrigue in a place of breathtaking beauty.
Our customizable private tour will allow you to determine your own priorities and depending on your preferences, you can spend more time at the scenic overlooks for spectacular views and photo ops. Just let us know what you prefer from some of the choices below.
- Entertainment/Sightseeing/Chauffeur service
- Recreation – including walking, hiking trails, and exploring
- Taking photographs
- An educational experience
- Combination of all of the above
Why a Private Tour?
For starters, we are the only company offering tours with archaeologist-trained guides. Preparation for your guided tour begins long before the tour starts. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes initiatives and activities carried out by the tour guide. Your guide is an archaeologist-trained subject matter expert requiring considerable training, education, research, and content knowledge on multiple topics with the ability to effectively communicate it to the guest. Along with intimate knowledge of the sites and resources, your guide possesses the communication skills, public speaking, and storytelling abilities to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Uniqueness of the Private Tour:
- Now Offering Ranger Guided Tickets! Talk to our team for details. Note the date range: We do NOT have special access to the park
- Most aspects of the tour are customizable!
- Exclusivity – just your group; no one else
- Customized itinerary based on priority preferences – sightseeing, photos, education, etc.
- Flexibility in start time and tour length (up to 7.5 hours) example: start at 9:00 am vs 8:00 am
- Ask about our optional 1-hour tour extension.
- Pick up at your location (within a 5-mile radius of Durango, Colorado)
- Flexibility in last-minute changes. (Example: Can we do Mesa Verde instead of Canyon of the Ancients)
- Private means private, just you and your party
- Concierge-type role with recommendations for local restaurants and other attractions/activities
FAQ
Yes, we can, HOWEVER, we must meet these requirements.
- we have the option to go inside a cliff dwelling ONLY when in season (dates are subject to change annually but typically run May to October )
- Tickets to go inside Cliff Palace must be purchased ahead of time on your behalf, once tickets are secured private tours will be offered the Ranger Led tickets first on a first come first booked basis.
- Tickets to Cliff Palace are not 100% guaranteed UNTIL we have them in hand and you select to purchase the tickets and add on to your tour.
- Durango Rivertrippers does NOT have special access to any of the sites within the park. We operate under a special use permit issued by the National Park Service.
- Over 90% of our tours are done in the park WITHOUT a ranger-led ticket. Although tickets are hard to get and sell out very fast we find this option to be only a very slight enhancement to the tour.
- Health Warning must be followed:
- All tours are appropriate for well-prepared hikers but are strenuous, so please consider your physical health before choosing a tour/hike, especially if you have heart or respiratory problems or other physical difficulties. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 feet (2134m , and 2286 m) above sea level.
- We suggest wearing sturdy shoes or boots and bring plenty of water. Your safety depends on your good judgment, adequate preparation, and constant attention.
- Children must be able to walk the extent of the trails and climb all ladders on their own without difficulty. All infants must be carried in backpacks while on tours and adults carrying children in backpacks must be able to maintain mobility and balance.
Absolutely! We will see several cliff dwellings and many other sites throughout the National Park.
Yes, we can pick you up within 5 miles of Durango, Co, or along the way to Mesa Verde National Park.
We ask that you do not bring your pets on this tour.
No, it is customary to tip 18%-22% if you have enjoyed your experience with your guide.
YES! There are several restroom options within the National Park. Your guide will let you know when you are approaching a restroom stop and how long in between the next stop. Typically not more than 1 hour from a restroom.
We have several options for our tours and your guide will take the best option for that day. We have 12 passenger vehicles, minivans, suburban, and Jeeps that we can use. We do NOT take a bus.
Every private tour is specially curated for each guest. We will discuss with you what you and your group would like to do and create the best itinerary. Not one private tour is the same. If you have ANY mobility issues do NOT select a ranger tour add-on into Cliff Palace. We can see so much of the park without having to climb ladders.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 72 hours before departure for a full refund. No refunds within the 72-hour window.
Trip Insurance Available
For 8% of your booking total, cancel up to 12 hours before launch for an 80% refund.
Meeting Point
360 S. Camino Del Rio, Suite 200, Durango Co 81301
Weather Policy
We run rain or shine. Full refund if we cancel for unsafe conditions.
Group Discounts
Groups of 10 or more get 10% off. Call for group rates.
Since 1983
40+ years of guided tours
What to Bring
We provide all safety equipment. Here’s what you should bring for the best experience.
Be prepared for weather changes and temperature fluctuations. It is best to dress in layers for cool mornings and hot afternoons (with possible afternoon thundershowers mid-summer)
Comfortable but sturdy shoes
A hat and sunglasses
What to Expect
Here’s how your adventure unfolds from start to finish.
Check In
Arrive at meeting point, sign waivers, meet your guide
Park Entry
Drive into Mesa Verde National Park with your expert guide
Cliff Palace Tour
Descend into Cliff Palace and explore the ancient dwelling
Return
Return to meeting point, share reflections on the experience
What to Bring
We provide all safety equipment. Here’s what you should bring for the best experience.
Comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain
Sun protection — hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
Water bottle — at least 1 liter recommended
Camera for ancient cliff dwelling photos
What Our Guests Say
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