About Our Tours

Consider us your muse, your personal creative concierge. First of all, know that YOU ARE IN CHARGE of your creative quest. This is YOUR custom tour and YOUR time to create - to take photographs, set up your easel and paint, to write, rhyme, transcribe the mystical music you hear in the mountains. It's our responsibility to accommodate you. You decide where you want to go and when, how long you want to be there, if you want to be alone or with others, and what you want to see and experience. We'll do our best to make it all happen for you. We assign the right person (or persons) to accompany you on your creative quest, and help you create your itinerary with suggestions and ideas. Then, when the time comes, we'll get you there. Doesn't that sound lovely? It's your job to create, and ours to provide the environment where you can do that. Besides hauling your equipment (cameras, tripods, paint boxes, whatever you need), we'll feed you and take care of the basics. Onboad each vehicle, we carry a gourmet (or brown bag-you choose) lunch (accommodating any particular dietary needs or requests) along with plenty of water and emergency snacks. We also bring blankets, rain gear, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a first aid kit. There's room, too, for your small backpack with extra socks, gloves, tee-shirts and your other personal gear). Transportation. We pick you up where you are staying (or perhaps where you wish to have breakfast - maybe even breakfast with one of us), then take you to your destination. And wait. While you create. Because we are all creative people too, we may also be photographing, or painting, or writing, while you do your thing. When you're ready to move on to a new location, or if the weather's not cooperating, visit a museum or take a walking town tour, we'll get you there and go with you. At the end of the day, we'll take you back to wherever you want to wind up your day tour. If we're going up into the high country, 4- and 6-passenger Wrangler or Rubicon Jeeps are provided by Switzerland of America (SOA) in Ouray and Red Mountain RV or Silver Summit in Silverton. (For larger groups, we will arrange guided tour jeeps from SOA). Both Ouray and Silverton are small, and only a limited number of vehicles are available on any day at either location, so the sooner you reserve, the better chance of setting up your trip from whichever starting point you choose. Lodging can also difficult to obtain if you wait too long. This is an incredibly scenic area and a destination for many - it fills up fast. Even before you contact us, you might check with the motel/hotel of your choice. (See "Accomodatons" below.) So, to be sure you get what you want, reserve sooner than later. When you call to reserve (and you must do so at least 4 weeks in advance (45 days if July 4th or Labor Day), please let us know the following. (1) how many are in your party, or if it's just you by yourself. (2) where you want to go...what you want to see (3) how you plan to capture the essence each day---photo (digital, film, video) - paint - write - compose - combination of these or something different? (4) where do you plan to stay? (5) how many days guided "tours" do you wish or need? (6) do you wish to book a companion tour? Companion Tours. If you book at least one full day for yourself with one of our photographers or artists, we can accommodate a full or partial day for a companion (of yours) who does not wish to accompany you on your creative excursions. For 4-6 hour “companion tours,” we offer lunch, shopping, museum or historic downtown walking tours. In the rare case that you want to capture alpine scenery and your companion wants to explore railroad history - that would be two full day tours, one with James Burke, our railroad historian, the other with one of our other photographers or artists. Railroad History Tours. Follow the rails of history in San Juan and Ouray Counties. Discover the old turntable above Ironton, climb to the highest mountain railroad in the American West at Animas Forks, visit the Railroad Museum in Ridgway. Mine Tours. While we don't lead them ourselves, we can direct you to the Heritage Pass Tours in Silverton, which include the Old Hundred Mine, Mining Museum, and Mayflower Mill. Definitely worth seeing if you're staying in the area. In Ouray, we suggest the Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour, and a stop for lunch while you're there. Town Tours. The historical societies of Ouray and San Juan Counties both offer walking historical town tours. If you wish us to take you on a photo tour of the old buildings, with some historic narrative, we can do that. We even have professional storytellers who can regale you with memories of the past. Related Activities. We're happy to point you in the right direction or hook you up with reliable, reputable sources for rafting, fishing, horse-back riding, mountain biking and other activities. And we're not shy about telling you who does a good job (and who doesn't). Ask when you reserve your trip with us. RESERVATIONS. Advance reservations are required at least four (4) weeks prior to our day trip departure date - so we may reserve the jeeps and line up the guides. A non-refundable $50 deposit is due with your reservation. For those willing to travel with a group, fifty percent (50%) of your reserved trip is due one week prior to your first day tour and non-refundable after three (3) days preceding your first trip with us (the jeep cost has to be covered). The balance is due when we pick you up on your first day with us. Adding Days. If you’ve booked only one day’s scenic tour with us, in a group environment, and wish to add more days, we’d love to have you, but it will depend on availability of equipment, guides, and other factors. We’ll do our best to accommodate everyone. ONE-ON-ONE. If you want a one-on-one guided experience, we ask for forty-five (45) days advance notice, with a fifty percent (50%) deposit no later than thirty (30) days prior to our first day trip departure date. Individual guided tour deposits non-refundable after fifteen (15) days preceding your first day trip with us. Dates, Times, Locations. Alpine Scenic Tours are dependent on weather and road conditions as well as availability of equiment and guides, and of course, whatever lodging you choose. Generally the best times are: waterfalls late May through June; wildflowers late June through July; fall color- September. There are no guarantees, however; Mother Nature is very capricious! It can and has snowed in July, or gone dry with drought and smoke-filled sky in June. We try to remain flexible and ask that you do too. Generally we plan our trips from mid-June through mid-September, and it's basically a crapshoot if you try for too early or too late in the season. Day trips depart in the morning, 8-8:30 am from Ouray, 8:30-9:30 from Silverton and return late afternoon. Town, Museum, and Companon Trips are more flexible, and if we're on foot, vehicles are not an issue. We travel most reasonably maintained 4X trails in the San Juan Mountains, but we do not do Black Bear. For that, you need to go with a jeeping company making regular scheduled trips. There may be other areas "out of bounds" as well, depending on conditions. Need more details When you call, we’ll discuss it all with you and e-mail more detailed information as needed. 970-626-9710.
Recommended ACCOMMODATIONS: Ouray, Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs Silverton, Red Mountain RV, Motel & Cabins, Wyman Hotel & Inn Tour fees do not include lodging, meals, or transport to and from your hotel except on the day we take you on a tour. Please book your room directly with the lodging establishment. We recommend you do so at least 4 weeks in advance. Know that the week of July 4th is usually booked a year in advance and requires a minimum of a three-day stay. MEALS: Box Lunch is provided for full-day tours. Please advise us at least 10 days in advance if you have any special dietary restrictions or considerations. All vehicles also carry extra water and emergency snacks. All other meals are your own responsibility. Please check the local visitor's guide (Ouray) or Silverton Magazine (Silverton) for meal choices. Click here for a partial list of restaurants suggestions. For groups of 6 or more booking as one group, we offer a catered Welcome Dinner. AIRPORTS: Best air destination is Montrose, Colorado (35 mi. north of Ouray). Alternate air destination Grand Junction (74 miles north of Ouray) or Durango (50 miles south of Silverton). Shuttle services is available from all three airports. (Cost not included in tour.) HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS: The San Juans are remote and rugged. Our tours range in elevation from 8-13,000 feet and require you be in good health. Please take time to acclimate to the elevation BEFORE we take you up into the mountains. If you need oxygen, have a heart or condition or other health condition that could be negatively impacted by altitude, or need crutches or a cane, we will not be able to accommodate you. If you have been exposed to something nasty, please reschedue your trip and don't share your germs with others. If you are diabetic or hypoglycemic, please bring your own snacks. If you are on medication, don't forget to bring it. There is a small clinic in Silverton and a larger one in Ouray County. The nearest hospitals are in Montrose and Durango. Experienced EMTs (Emergency Medcal Technicians) and ambulance transport to larger facilities are available in both Ouray and San Juan Counties. RESTRICTIONS: Adults 18 and older only. No children. Aside from age and health considerations, please be aware that all tours are alcohol-free and tobacco-free. If you light up or tipple, we'll put you out of the vehicle and allow you to walk back to town (which could be 30 or more miles)! (We'll be happy to have a beer or a glass of wine with you once we get back to town, however. We're not teetotalers; we're just respectful of these mountains and the altitude.) Digital Photography Lessons and Photo Imaging workshops. If you're a newbie with a digital, our guides will help you get the hang of your camera. If you want to book private lessons, we can do that, too. Ask when you call us.	TERRAIN, ELEVATION, WEATHER Elevations of 8,000’-13,000’ and rapid weather changes, including rain and sudden snow showers should be expected. Temperatures range from daytime high of 75 degrees to nigh time low of 20 degrees. Short mountain hikes of half mile and 2-3 mile walks in town required. Persons should be mobile and in good health, able to walk 2-5 miles in uneven terrain and hike 1/2 mile to one mile in high altitude mountain terrain. Persons requiring oxygen should not book this trip and cannot be accommodated. Stay hydrated! Remember to drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. WHAT TO BRING Equipment. Bring everything you might need for your creative endeavor. (Photographers, bring extra memory chips, film, spare batteries, tripod, lenses, filters, flash). Artists, make sure your paint box is full, that you have water for your brushes and mixing paints. (Please, no turpentine or mineral spirits!) If you're going to compose music, do NOT bring audio aids - listen in your mind and transcribe when you get back. Clothing. Days start out cold and warm up to a sunny seventy, then turn crisp again in the evening. It can and probably will rain or snow. Layered clothing, water-proof, wind-proof jackets, head covering, gloves, warm socks and sturdy foot wear, and sunscreen recommended. Clothing should be lightweight, comfortable, easy to roll up and stick under the seat when the day warms up. If you're staying in Ouray, bring your bathing suit for the hot springs! These are resort towns, so you don't need dressy clothes. Please, no sandals on the trail. If you stub your toe or cut your foot on a rock, you'll really wish you'd worn sturdy hiking boots. Misc. Bring a water bottle - we'll keep it filled for you, and a thermos for hot drinks. Plan to pack some trail mix or other specialty snacks(available in town) if you need to watch your sugar levels. Remember to let us know when you book your tour if you have any dietary or health issues we should know about. Cell phones don't work up at the higher altitudes, so you might want to leave yours back at the hotel. If it does work, please turn it off so you don't annoy others with it. And finally, if you are a GPS-freak, leave it behind. These roads aren't on the satellite maps, and you'll make us all nuts if you try to track our progress on land with that little gadget. Bottom line, except for the digital camera, leave the electronics behind. Cost: Custom tours are custom and that is not synonymous with cheap. As with any worthwhile experience, you get what you pay for! If you desire a one-on-one experience with your "guide" the cost is $500/day. A two-person tour is $300 per person/day. Three or more persons in the same vehicle are $250 each per day. Companion Tours are $250 per person, which includes lunch. Discounts are available for multiple-day tours and combination packages depending on your needs.
Contact us today to find out more. tours@sanjuanpub.com 970-626-9710