
700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 138 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour worth booking?
700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour is a 4-hour experience in Durango, United States, from $137 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 138 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (138)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $137 per person
Experience all this UNESCO World Heritage site has to offer on this 4 hour small group tour. It provides you with an overall historical view of the Ancestral Puebloans architectural, horticultural, cultural, and religious dimensions of their lives in the Southwest. The interpretive tour guides are all National Association for Interpretation certified. Choose from one of two departure times when you book.
What you get
About this experience
Experience all this UNESCO World Heritage site has to offer on this 4 hour small group tour. It provides you with an overall historical view of the Ancestral Puebloans architectural, horticultural, cultural, and religious dimensions of their lives in the Southwest. The interpretive tour guides are all National Association for Interpretation certified. Choose from one of two departure times when you book.
What's included
Included
- National Association for Interpretation certified Interpretive Guide
- Driver
- Local taxes
- Transportation by air conditioned coach
Not included
- National Park Entry Fee (paid to the national park service) for Vehicles $30.00
- Guide Gratuity (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National Park Entry Fee (paid to the national park service) for Motorcycles $25.00
- National Park Entry Fee: for Each Bicyclist and Individual on Non-Commercial Buses Fee: $15.00
- NOTE: For the National Park Fee, only credit cards will be accepted at this time.
What you'll see and do
Mesa Verde Tour Experience
The tour starts at either 8am or 1pm from Far View Terrace, 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. Learn about the 700 years of Ancestral Puebloan history from our experienced NAI certified Interpretive Guides all while we do the driving and parking.
240 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Durango
Meet our tour bus outside Far View Lodge at Mile Marker 15, about 30-45 minutes driving distance from the NPS entrance station at the bottom of the hill.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet our tour bus outside Far View Lodge at Mile Marker 15, about 30-45 minutes driving distance from the NPS entrance station at the bottom of the hill.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Mesa Verde National Park
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- ADA passengers are accommodated by a visit to Spruce Tree House and Chapin Mesa Museum
- Electric scooters will not fit inside the coach, push behind wheelchairs are accommodated.
- Dwellings are at 7,000 feet
- Dress code:casual with comfortable walking shoes
- Maximum Group Size: 40
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 135 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
135 verified traveler reviews for 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mesa Verde
Our guide was informational and passionate abt the ruins. He was able to adapt and make good use of our time on a rainy day.
via Viator
Fun!
Tour was very interesting. Greg was an excellent guide. We were able to do the steps, ladders, and crevices. It was actually fun! The driver Sheryl was great too. The park ranger, Frank, he was a bit gruff and condescending with some folks; not the typical nice ranger we usually encounter. But anyway, definitely a worthwhile experience.
via Viator
A great way to see all...
A great way to see all the highlights and have information and knowledge of what your are seeing. Butch our guide and Irene our driver were very personable. Adequate time at each stop.
via Viator
Great tour, well worth...
Great tour, well worth the time and money. Greg was our guide, couldn’t have been better. Cliff dwellings were a little tricky for me because of neuropathy.
via Viator
Perfect way to start the visit!
I can't think of a better way to start a visit at Mesa Verde than this incredibly informative tour. After this tour and volumes of easy to digest information provided by Heath, everywhere we went after that made so much more sense.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 48
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Durango.
How much does 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour cost?
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Prices start at $137 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Durango usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Durango is not rushed.
Is 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 138 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Durango, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour?
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Around 48 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Durango can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Durango and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Durango within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Durango?
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Durango runs the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge steam railroad, Mesa Verde cliff dwelling tours, Animas River rafting, jeep trails and winter skiing at Purgatory. On Outty we rank every Durango experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Durango Half Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River, Durango Colorado - Rafting 1/4 Day, Durango 1/4 Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Durango?
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May to October, with the railroad running year-round in shorter form. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Durango?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour?
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Included: National Association for Interpretation certified Interpretive Guide; Driver; Local taxes; and Transportation by air conditioned coach. Not included: National Park Entry Fee (paid to the national park service) for Vehicles $30.00; Guide Gratuity (optional); Hotel pickup and drop-off; and National Park Entry Fee (paid to the national park service) for Motorcycles $25.00. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour?
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Meet our tour bus outside Far View Lodge at Mile Marker 15, about 30-45 minutes driving distance from the NPS entrance station at the bottom of the hill. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Electric scooters will not fit inside the coach, push behind wheelchairs are accommodated. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Durango. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour?
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Across 138 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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