2025032 Colorado Rockies, Rails & Western

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 stop at Dead Horse Point 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 2,000 in total) and 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 spectacular rail journey 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.

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 this 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 & check in for a 3-night stay. "The Springs" as it is commonly 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, which is 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 sand-stone formations. Then visit the U.S. Olym­pic Training Center where Olympic dreams begin and talented athletes live and train. A mild climate, incredible natural training grounds and awe-inspiring beauty all make Colorado Springs a popular location for many aspiring Olympic athletes.

Day 8

Today travel to see the Royal Gorge and experience some of the most arresting scenery in all of American railroading aboard the Royal Gorge Railroad. The rail journey 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=Breakfast, D=Dinner