Duration: 9 Days
All aboard for a spectacular 9-day adventure through the American Southwest! Your tour through Colorado and Utah begins with an overnight stay in the ‘Mile High City’ of Denver—5,280 feet above sea level. In Colorado Springs, board the Pikes Peak cog railway to reach the summit that inspired ‘America the Beautiful.’ Explore the stunning desert landscapes of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, and the ancient indigenous dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park. Embark on a two-day scenic rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train from the outdoor mecca of Moab through Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and over the Continental Divide to return to Denver. You’ll also explore the natural treasures of Great Sand Dunes National Park, the scenic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, and historic Glenwood Springs.
Traveller Notes
- We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- 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.
- Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favourable weather conditions.
- The trail to the Escalante Pueblo is a ½-mile--long, paved, uphill, wheelchair-accessible trail.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Colorado!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains is the perfect place to kick back with a view of the sunset over Mount Evans while enjoying a local IPA or Colorado coffee after dinner. Ask your Tour Director for the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.
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 [LF] home-cooked BBQ dinner with western music under the stars at the historic Flying W Ranch (weather permitting). (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES Enjoy some Rocky Mountain home cooking under the stars with a BBQ at Flying W Ranch. Tap along to western music to get you in the spirit in this working cattle ranch in the Colorado foothills!
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. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS A sandbox of epic proportions, the entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles, with the tallest dune towering 750 feet high. With the highest dunes in North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, and soaring peaks. Enjoy free time here to explore the dunefield trails.
Rocky Mountain Highs
This morning, board the [LF] Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest. Return to Durango for a free evening. (B)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
EPIC RIDE The legendary Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train hugs steep canyon walls as it winds its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon to Silverton, a National Historic Landmark. Silverton, once a major mining town, owes its name to an early miner's claim, "We have no gold, but silver by the ton!" Spend time visiting the breweries, boutiques, and saloons that dot the thriving Greene Street.
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 centre and Museum. Continue to Moab for a free evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & TRADITION Learn about the Ancestral Puebloans and see their mysterious, centuries-old cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that depicts the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot plateau, and stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace (one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings). Visit the Canyon of the Ancients Visitor centre and Museum en route to Moab. Learn of the Ancestral Puebloan, Native American, and historic cultures in the Four Corners region. Then, walk in the footsteps of these great peoples by visiting the Escalante and Dominquez Pueblos.
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. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Explore the magnificent views of 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.
Rockies by Ra
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. (B,D)
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.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TRAIN SPOTLIGHT The Rocky Mountaineer travels through spectacular scenery. SilverLeaf Service features a single-level 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.
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. (B,L,D)
Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Denver? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
