Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour

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Highlights

  • Choose a morning or afternoon tour to fit your schedule

  • Get around the park with ease via air-conditioned coach

  • Benefit from the expert knowledge of a NAI-certified guide

Summary

The tour starts at either 8am or 1:30pm from Far View Lodge, Mile Marker 15, 45 minutes inside Mesa Verde National Park where you will board a comfortable and air conditioned coach. Experience a chronological journey starting with a pithouse village (A.D. 600), the development of pueblos and underground ceremonial rooms called kivas (A.D. 900-1100), to the Classic Pueblo era of cliff dwellings dated from the 13th century. Take amazing photos of Fewkes Canyon Overlooks at Oak Tree House and Fire Temple with a walk around stop at Sun Temple before your visit to either Cliff Palace or Balcony House cliff dwelling. Price includes admission to either one hour ranger guided tour of Cliff Palace or Balcony House depending on the time of year. Learn about the 700 years of Ancestral Puebloan history from our experienced NAI certified Interpretive Guides all while we do the driving and parking. Cliff Dwellings are at 7,000 ft. elevation. Cliff Palace (open 5/26-9/24) requires a 1/4 mile hike and climbing four 12 foot ladders. Between 4/15-5/25 and 9/25-10/26 visit Balcony House which requires guests to climb a 32 foot ladder, crawl through an 18 inch x 12 foot tunnel and scale a 60 foot rock face. Guests that are unable or unwilling to climb the ladders will visit the Chapin Mesa Museum and Spruce Tree House Overlook during the dwelling tours.

Tour info

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

Learn about the history of the Mesa Verde National Park’s Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings on this half-day cultural tour, that begins inside the park (entrance fees own expense). Absorb sweeping views of the natural landscape as you’re chauffeured across the sprawling park and gain meaningful insight into indigenous American civilisation from your NAI-certified guide.

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What’s included?

  • Transportation by air conditioned coach

  • Driver

  • National Association for Interpretation certified Interpretive Guide

  • Bottled water

  • Local taxes

  • National Park Entry Fee

  • Guide Gratuity (optional)

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Things to know

Before you book

  • Duration: 4h

  • Mobile tickets accepted

Cancellation Policy

    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Operator Website

Operated by:

Mesa Verde Tour Experience

About operator:

National Association for Interpretation Certified (NAI) professional guides make the history of Mesa Verde come alive with captivating storytelling of a people who evolved from hunter-gatherers into a culture known for agriculture, intricate artistry, and architecture. Your expert guide will explain the fascinating architectural details, as well as local flora and fauna, artifacts and natural resources and their significance to the Ancestral Puebloans. Guided Mesa Verde tours begin in our comfortable coaches as they transport you to Chapin Mesa. Short walks on simple trails take you to the earliest Mesa Top sites and to the magnificent and more adventurous Cliff Palace – the largest and most awe-inspiring cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park.

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