2023044 Colorado Rockies, Rails & Western

2023044 Colorado Rockies, Rails & Western National Parks

08/06/2023-08/15/2023 Sun-Tue Trip# 2023044

Colorado Rockies, Rails & Western National Parks

Highlights:

• 3 Train Experiences

Durango & Silverton Railroad

Pikes Peak Cag Railway

Royal Gorge Railroad

• 4 National Park Visits

Mesa Verde Nat'l Park

Arches National Park

Canyonlands Nat'l Park

Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park

• 2 Nights - Durango, CO

• 3 Nights - Colorado Springs

• 2 Nights - Grand Junction

• Vail, CO

• Dead Horse Point State Park

• Garden of the Gods

• U.S. Air Force Academy

• Cowboy Dinner & Show

Includes:

Roundtrip Airfare - PHL, 11 Meals: 8 -Breakfasts & 3-Dinners, Professional Tour Director, Motorcoach Transportation, Hotel Transfers, Admissions per Itinerary, Sightseeing per Itinerary, and Baggage Handling at Hotels.

Make your final payment by check and receive a $100 per person discount. Pricing includes insurance cost.

***Pricing & Itinerary subject to change as are entrance requirements due to the changing circumstances***

Day 1

Upon arrival in Denver meet your Tour Director and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay in the Mile High City. This evening join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2

Today travel west of Denver and stop in Vail, a favorite year round resort destination for tourism and outdoor activity. Explore the Vail Village, the downtown district reminiscent of a Bavarian Village includes a clock tower & features diverse shops and restaurants in addition to breathtaking mountain views. Later continue west and arrive in Grand Junction for a two night stay.

Day 3

Today travel west into Utah to visit two of our country's great national parks. This morning visit Canyonlands National Park featuring deeply eroded canyons interspersed with sheer-sided mesas and a variety of spires, arches, and unusual rock formations. Then atop at Dead Horse Poiny State Park for an amazing view of the Colorado River. A short ride brings you to Moab, Utah for lunch on your own in this town famous for western movie making. This afternoon visit Arches National Park to see some of the famous arches (over 2,00 in total) marvel at other red rock formations and canyons. Return to Grand junction for an evening at your own pace.

Day 4

Today journey south to Silverton, secluded in a mountain valley at an elevation of 9,318 feet to begin a wonderful train experience. It's all-aboard the 1881 coalfired, steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a specatcular rail jounrey through the San Juan National Forest following the Sheer cliffs of Animas River. Arrive in historic Durango for a two night stay. Durango began as a mining town during the gold and silver booms. Today it's a center of year round tourism, commerce, culture and ranching featuring a victorian downtown where you can enjoy the spirit of a bygone era.

Day 5

This morning visit Mesa Verde National Park, home to the largest and best preserved Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings in the Southwest including the famous Cliff Palace. Venture out on the Mesa Top Loop Road which winds around overlooks to see some of the 4,000 ruin sites including 600 cliff dwellings. This evening in the Durango area enjoy a fun-filled dining experience at the Bar D Chuckwagon Supper & Western Stage Show.

B, D

Day 6

Today travel east to Great Sand Dunes National Park, established in 2004 & known for huge dunes and beaches created at the base of the dunes. Stop at a Visitor Center to learn more about the National Park, containing the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising to a maximum height of 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. Later, journey to Colorado Springs, a picturesque city situated at the foot of famous Pikes Peak and check in for a 3-night stay. "The Springs" as it is common;y referred to attracts thousands of visitors each year for its picturesque setting, natural wonders, history & military sights.

Day 7

This morning board the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog railroad for an 8.9 mile trip to the summit of Pikes Peak (approx 14,110 ft). On a clear day you can see 75 miles to Denver and over 100 miles to New Mexico. Later, visit the famous Garden of the Gods, on the National Register for historic places. Located where the Great Plains meet the mighty Rockies, this 1,300 acre park is home to towering sandstone formations. Then visit the U.S. Air Force Academy located at the foot of the majestic Rocky /mountains. The Academy is Colorado's most frequently visited man-made attraction and home to cadets participating in the officer-training program. Stop at the Visitor Center featuring exhibits on cadet life.

Day 8

Today travel to see the Royal Gorge and experience some of the most arresting scenery in all of American railroding aboard the Royal Gorge Railroad. The rail jounrey travels from Canon City to Parkdale along the Arkansas River through the scenic Royal Gorge and features dramatic views of the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world's highest suspension bridge. Tonight experience a Farewell Dinner at a popular local restaurant in the Colorado Springs area.

B, D

Day 9

Transfer to the Denver Airport for your flight home filled with wonderful memories of your travel experience.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.