Duration: 9 Days
Discover how The West was won on an affordable holiday on historic roads and railways through Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado! You’ll win big too with an overnight stay in Las Vegas to try your luck at the tables or try a new dish in one of Sin City’s many restaurants. This value-minded tour from the glittering Vegas Strip to the red canyons of Arizona and Utah to the white-topped peaks of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains takes you through some of America’s most scenic vistas and inventions. See the extraordinary feat of engineering at Hoover Dam en route to the legendary Grand Canyon. Explore the epic beauty of the Grand Canyon by vintage railroad and explore the cultures and captivating beauty of the Native American culture in Monument Valley on a 4-wheel Jeep excursion. From Canyonlands National Park to Moab’s spectacular Arches National Park, you’ll be awed by the dramatic landscapes of the American Southwest. Then board your Rocky Mountaineer train for an epic ride through the Colorado Rockies, riding in style along the Colorado River through stunning high-country panoramas of the White River National Forest and Arapahoe National Forest. Cross the Continental Divide en route to the Mile-High City of Denver. A wild and wonderful experience in the historic destinations of the Wild West!
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
- On holidays that include an overnight stay in Las Vegas, at least one member of the travelling party must be 21 years of age or older.
- Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favourable weather conditions.
- YOUR TRAIN: The Rocky Mountaineer travels through spectacular scenery. SilverLeaf Service features a single-level dome coach offering reclining seats, and meals served at your seat, and panoramic views from oversized windows. Enjoy an onboard culinary experience in regional cuisine and ingredients local to the Southwestern U.S. Glenwood Springs’ properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. Your chosen hotel is determined by Rocky Mountaineer; however, you can rest assured that it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
- Maximum elevation on tour: 9,033 ft.
Welcome to exciting Las Vegas, also known as "Sin City!" Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.?
Depart the glittering lights of Las Vegas and stop at the Hoover Dam Museum. Gain insight to the men and women who braved the desolation of the southern Nevada desert to build this engineering marvel and settle Boulder City - it's a story of American ambition, vision, and grit. Depart Boulder City and cross the Hoover Dam into Arizona. Journey across old Mojave gold-strike country and arrive in Kingman for some time to explore this historic town on Route 66. Continue to Williams, gateway to the Grand Canyon, listed in the National Register for Historic Places, and home for the next two nights. The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks and boasts a rich heritage that features the Old West and Route 66.
Take an unforgettable train ride into the canyon on the Grand Canyon Railroad dating back to 1901. The train has transported many presidents and famous actors during its service. And now, you can sit back and relax in a 1950s era passenger car, while strolling musicians roam playing tunes of yesteryear, and you marvel at one of the Natural Wonders of the World. There's plenty of free time to wander along the canyon rim experiencing the breathtaking views of Grand Canyon National Park. Return to Williams where the evening is free to explore the historic Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s. Be sure to appreciate the neon signs of "Motel Row" circa 1940's. (B)
Continue across Arizona and into Navajo Nation and America's West that has been immortalised on the silver screen. Situated on the Arizona/Utah border, Monument Valley's scenic desert vistas and iconic buttes have appeared in countless classic Western films. See the massive formations on a memorable 4-wheel-drive tour. Your knowledgeable Navajo guide will show you some of the valley's most incredible scenery and share inspiring stories, legends, and lore. This evening, join the optional Navajo cookout for dinner surrounded by the red-rock canyons of Monument Valley. (B)
Today, we head north for Moab. Visit the magnificent Arches National Park, where you'll discover a landscape of contrasting colours, landforms, and textures unlike anything else in the world. With over 2,000 preserved natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, this red-rock wonderland will amaze you. Overnight in Moab, with time to stroll through the downtown shops for a great selection of Southwestern art and jewelry.
Visit magnificent Canyonlands National Park to see deep canyons stretching across the Colorado Plateau, an intricate canyon labyrinth with a million crimson hues. Then, on to Dead Horse Point State Park to see a vast mesa with an incredible view of the Colorado River as it twists through a gooseneck canyon 2,000 feet below. 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. ?
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Moab before embarking on the Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic train ride in SilverLeaf Class. Travel east, cross the Utah-Colorado border and ride through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area. Your train hosts share stories of the area as you pass 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 that can't be seen from the road! Enjoy dinner on board the train before arriving in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado for the night. (D)
YOUR TRAIN: The Rocky Mountaineer takes you on an extraordinary two-day rail journey between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. SilverLeaf Service features a single-level glass-dome coach offering reclining seats, meals and drinks served at your seat, and panoramic views from oversized windows. You can also spend time on the outdoor viewing area. Enjoy an onboard culinary experience with regional cuisine and ingredients local to the Southwest U.S. If you choose, enhance your experience with SilverLeaf Plus, which elevates the already exceptional SilverLeaf Service to the next level with exclusive access to a lounge car, premium beverages and more!
NOTE: Glenwood Springs' properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. Your chosen hotel is determined by Rocky Mountaineer; however, you can rest assured that it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.?
This morning, board the train for a full day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while following the Colorado River and admiring the morning light reflected off the mountain. Travel through dense wooded forests, pass the white-capped mountains of White River National Forest and through picturesque Byers and Gore Canyons to the tranquil mountain lakes of Arapahoe National Forest. After lunch, cross the Continental Divide with a toast while cutting through the six-mile-long Moffatt Tunnel. This journey of a lifetime is one you won't soon forget! Arrive in Denver this evening and continue to your hotel for your final night. (B,L)?
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.
