Western Rails & Canyons

Day One

ARRIVE IN DENVER, CO - Welcome to Colorado! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.

Day Two

DENVER–COLORADO SPRINGS - The Mile-High City See Denver’s historic Union Station, Mile High Stadium, and more on an orientation tour en route to Colorado Springs. Explore Garden of the Gods Park, featuring 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snowcapped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. Take a thrilling ride on the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Travel up to the summit of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, the place that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful. Tonight, a homecooked BBQ dinner with western music under the stars at the historic Flying W Ranch (weather permitting).

Day Three

COLORADO SPRINGS–GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK–DURANGO - Peak Perfection A scenic drive travels along the Highway of Legends Scenic and Historic Byway, over the Sangre de Cristo Range, home to ten 14,000-foot peaks, and through meandering ranchlands to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Later, continue deeper into the Colorado wilderness passing through the San Juan National Forest to Durango. Tonight is free to explore Durango. Why not visit the saloons, speakeasy, and more on historic Main Street.

Day Four

DURANGO. RAIL JOURNEY TO SILVERTON - Rocky Mountain Highs This morning, board he Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest. Return to Durango for a free evening.

Day Five

DURANGO–MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK–CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS–MOAB, UTAH - Ancient Mystery Today is a step back to ancient times, lands, and people. Start with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continuing to the Canyon of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum. Continue to Moab for a free evening.

Day Six

MOAB. EXCURSION TO CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK & DEADHORSE STATE PARK - Crimson Canyons Visit magnificent Canyonlands National Park. Return to Moab for a free evening. Perhaps visit the quaint shops and restaurants on Main Street or stretch your legs on the Mill Creek Parkway Trail.

Day Seven

MOAB–ARCHES NATIONAL PARK– ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO - Rockies by Rail Today, explore the incredible
landscape of Arches National Park, containing more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch. Then embark on the Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic train ride in Silver Leaf Class. Travel east through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area. See Parachute Creek and Mount Logan while following the scenic Colorado River. Take in the beautiful red rock formations, desert cliffs of Ruby Canyon, and mountain vistas. Overnight stay in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Day Eight

GLENWOOD SPRINGS–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–DENVER - On Top of the World A full day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer through the Colorado high country. From dense wooded forests and white-capped mountains of White River National Forest to the picturesque Byers and Gore Canyons and the tranquil mountain lakes of Arapahoe National Forest, you’ll experience the journey of a lifetime. Cross the high elevations of the Continental Divide with a sparkling wine toast while driving through the six-mile-long Moffatt Tunnel. Arrive in Denver this evening for a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director tonight.

Day Nine

DENVER - Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore
more of Denver? Extra nights are available for purchase.

FB=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner