Private Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods tour from Denver

One day, three Colorado landmarks: the rock formations, the mountain, the mineral springs town

A private guided tour from Denver to Colorado Springs covers Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak summit at 14,115 feet, and the historic town of Manitou Springs, with hotel pickup, a driver-guide, bottled water and transport included. Groups stay under 14 travelers. Lunch in Manitou Springs is your choice and cost. The tour runs 8 hours and returns you to your hotel.

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your Denver hotel and heads south toward Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods arrives first: a park of red rock formations that review sites ranked as the third-best park in the world. You walk through the geological landscape at your own pace while the guide explains what you're standing in front of, then regroup for the drive to Pikes Peak.

Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern front range of the Rocky Mountains, standing at 14,115 feet. The drive up takes you through changing terrain as elevation climbs. At the top, the view spreads across the state. This is the moment most people came for: the one Zebulon Pike, the explorer the mountain is named after, never reached himself. You have time to walk around, take photographs and absorb the altitude before the descent begins.

On the way back down, the tour stops in Manitou Springs, a historic resort town established for its mineral springs and known as the "Saratoga of the West." The town sits at the edge of Pikes Peak and fills with gift shops, galleries, restaurants and its own brewery. This is where you choose to eat lunch. Nothing is included, but the guide knows the options. The final leg is a scenic drive along the foothills through Sedalia, timed to catch the sunset over the mountains before you return to Denver.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Denver.
• bottled water.
• a private vehicle with driver-guide.
• fuel surcharge and local taxes.
• transport for the entire 8-hour day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Upscale VanUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Take this private tour in an upscale van; pickup is included.

Mini BusUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Take this private tour aboard an upscale minibus, with pickup included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 09:00, from US$ 1,750 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

GroupPrivate3 group tours ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Book up to12h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by ilimo

Is this one for you?Book the upscale van if you want a smaller, more intimate group. Choose the minibus if you're traveling with a larger party and prefer to split the cost. Either way, everything is arranged (hotel pickup, the drive, the stops, the timing), so you show up and the day unfolds without you building it.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How high is Pikes Peak and what's the drive like to get there?

Pikes Peak stands at 14,115 feet and is the highest summit of the southern front range of the Rocky Mountains. The drive up climbs through changing terrain. The road is paved and the guide handles all the driving, so you sit back and watch the landscape shift as elevation increases.

What exactly is Garden of the Gods and how much time do you spend there?

Garden of the Gods is a park of red rock formations in Colorado Springs, ranked third-best park in the world by the 2013 traveler's choice list. You walk through the geological landscape with the guide, who explains what you're seeing, then regroup for the next leg of the tour.

Is lunch included, and what are the options in Manitou Springs?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Manitou Springs has gift shops, galleries, restaurants and a brewery. The guide knows the local options and can point you toward what suits your taste and budget.

What's the total time for this tour, and when does pickup happen?

The tour runs 8 hours total. Hotel pickup is included for guests in downtown Denver or on the route to Colorado Springs. The guide will confirm the exact time when you book.

Can I choose between a van and a minibus, and does group size matter?

You choose either an upscale van or a minibus at checkout. Groups stay under 14 travelers, so you're never in a large crowd. The vehicle size you pick affects the comfort and intimacy of the ride.