Was thinking of renting a car for a day to see more of CO than just Denver when I saw ad for this trip, and I am so glad I did. Bernard, our driver and tour guide, was prompt, friendly, humorous, entertaining, safe, and educational. I learned so much. The trip includes a too-short 40 minutes to hike a bit at Garden of the Gods, an hour for lunch at Manitou Springs (walk along the creekside trail if you have extra time to feel the nature) where Bernard helpfully pointed out a variety of suggestions and places he did NOT recommend we eat, and then the drive to Pikes Peak. We had about 25 minutes at the top. He helpfully pointed out that if the altitude is bothering you, symptoms are usually better outside of the visitor's center. Unfortunately, the top of the peak is a big construction site for a new visitor's center, limiting the area to walk around, but the views are still gorgeous from there. We stopped on the way down at 2 places, but the last stop with a gift shop and toilets would have been prettier had the dammed lake held water (apparently draining it currently). I personally would have liked more time to hike around somewhere, but the trip was a solid 8 hours and we were very lucky with Saturday traffic. Bernard made the trip extra great, with all of his information, his interest in each of the 10 of us, and the loads of free, cold bottled water and small snacks he brought. We felt like we made new friends and saw some gorgeous country. Thanks, Bernard!