Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, children aged 8 and older can join. For younger kids, private tours with car seats are available on request.

What happens if the Pikes Peak summit is closed?

The driver will take you to the highest accessible point on Pikes Peak Highway, so you still experience stunning views.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Yes, lunch and water refills are included to keep you fueled throughout the day.

How physically demanding is the tour?

The tour involves light walking and sightseeing. Moderate fitness is recommended to handle altitude and some short trail walks.

What wildlife might I see on this tour?

Common sightings include bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, and occasionally mountain lions or black bears.

Where does the tour depart from?

Tours depart daily at 9:30 AM from the flagpole outside Denver Union Station at 1701 Wynkoop St.

Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods Tour by Explorer Tours | Photography Tour | Private

Set against the dramatic backdrop of southern Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods Tour by Explorer Tours offers an immersive journey through some of the region’s most iconic landscapes. Starting in Denver, this full-day, 8.5-hour tour guides visitors through an awe-inspiring route covering 199 miles, with natural wonders and geological marvels at every turn.

Garden of the Gods, situated in Colorado Springs, is your first major stop. This public park boasts soaring red sandstone rock formations that rise sharply from the earth. Balanced Rock and the Kissing Camels are standout shapes, sculpted by millions of years of erosion, each telling a silent story through their jagged edges and sun-dappled surfaces. The area’s vivid reddish hues against a backdrop of blue sky make it a visual feast—and a photographer’s dream.

The crown jewel of the adventure is Pikes Peak, a 14,115-foot summit known statewide and beyond for its commanding views and alpine terrain. The peak’s high elevation brings snow cover year-round, creating a crisp mountain atmosphere perfect for spotting native wildlife like bighorn sheep, elusive mountain lions, and whistling yellow-bellied marmots. The Pikes Peak Highway, winding to near the summit, provides a rare chance to experience subalpine forests and sweeping vistas in a single day.

After descending, the tour weaves through Manitou Springs, a charming resort town where mineral springs bubble and art galleries line the streets, offering a contrast to the rugged scenery encountered earlier.

Explorer Tours blends comfort and adventure with included round-trip transport from Denver Union Station, expert guiding, entrance fees, and lunch. This tour’s balance of accessible hiking, scenic drives, and natural history narration carves out a unique space in Colorado’s outdoor recreation scene, ideal for anyone craving a deep dive into the state’s geological heart and mountain spirit.