Colorado Train Adventure | 2025

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Denver, CO - Colorado Springs

Arrive in Denver by 1:00pm. (*Please arrive at Denver Airport before 1:00 pm MST) After a brief check-in with your tour director, enjoy your first taste of adventures to come as you board our motorcoach and travel south to Colorado Springs. Enjoy touring the US Air Force Academy. Situated in the shadow of the mountains and overlooking the open spaces of the western plains. Next, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.  (D) 

Day 2:  Pikes Peak Country

Today is devoted to sightseeing around Colorado Springs. First, you will ride on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway that climbs to the top of Pikes Peak. Looking at this famous peak, rising 14,115 feet above sea level, you will understand the meaning of "Rocky Mountain High!" Next, continue to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post and enjoy a sumptuous lunch on your own and some time to shop. This afternoon, continue sightseeing and tour Garden of the Gods. An abundance of plant and animal life can be found throughout its 1,340 acres, as well as the magnificent red sandstone rock formations, for which the Garden is best known. Return to your hotel with some time to freshen up, and then enjoy your evening of hospitality at the Drury Inn Kickback, for food and drinks. (5:30 – 7:00 pm) (B)

Day 3: Royal Gorge - Alamosa

Enjoy your leisurely morning, because today you're off! This afternoon, board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for lunch and a train ride along the legendary Arkansas River deep within the Gorge. Next, we visit Great Sand Dunes National Park for sightseeing, then arrive in Alamosa for a one-night stay. (B, L) 

Day 4:  Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway

This morning, "all aboard" the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, considered the finest remaining example of a once vast network of narrow-gauge lines linking together the Rocky Mountain Mining Camps. This unique railroad has been called by author Lucius Beebe, "the most awesomely spectacular example of mountain railroading in North America." Leave Antonito, Colorado in the Deluxe Car, and travel to Osier where you’ll disembark and enjoy lunch; then re-board your motorcoach and end your day in the old west mining town of Durango for a two-night stay. (B, L) 

Day 5: Mesa Verde National Park

After breakfast, travel to nearby Mesa Verde National Park for a day of exploration. Here you will visit cliff dwellings where the mysterious Anasazi once lived. Known as the "Ancient Ones" to the Navajo, the Anasazi lived in the Four Corners area almost a thousand years ago, then suddenly disappeared - leaving their incredibly well-preserved dwellings to intrigue and challenge modern man. This is the nation’s largest archeological preserve with 4,000 sights including 600 cliff dwellings. Spend some time in the Visitors Center with its large collection of ancient artifacts for an introduction to the ancient culture. A local expert will guide you through the most famous ruin sites with a stop at the Far View Terrace for lunch on your own. After a fascinating tour of the park, return to Durango. This evening in the Durango area enjoy a fun-filled dining experience at the Bar D Chuckwagon Supper and Western Stage Show. (B, D) 

Day 6: Durango & Silverton Railroad

This morning, ride the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one of the last such railroads operating in the United States. "All aboard!" for a delightful trip through the Colorado Rockies between Durango and Silverton. The rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and crystal lakes take you back to the early days of the West when mountain men searched this untouched land for traces of bear and mountain lion. Upon arrival in Silverton, enjoy some free time to explore the many shops and have lunch on your own. Meet our motorcoach for a scenic drive north to Grand Junction. This evening, see the fantastic monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Over the centuries, wind and water have carved sheer, walled canyons, spires, and gorges from the brilliant orange and red sandstone. Overnight in Grand Junction and enjoy dinner this evening at the hotel. (B) 

Day 7: Grand Junction - Denver

Depart and travel east for a ride through the Heart of the Rockies enjoying vistas of rugged canyons, pristine wilderness, and deep gorges. Cross the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass as we travel east descending once again into the "Mile High City" of Denver. Before checking into our hotel, we’ll have a lunch stop at Vail Village, and then visit the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. This museum’s mission is to acquire, preserve and exhibit railroad equipment, artifacts, and photographs emphasizing Rocky Mountain area railroads. You’ll learn about the history of this region from the 1860’s to present. What a great end to our Colorado Train Vacation. This afternoon, check into your hotel and freshen up but don't wander too far because tonight you will rejoin your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner. (B, D)  

Day 7: Home

Say farewell to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. A transfer to the airport has been arranged for your journey home. (B)  

Please Note - * This tour requires average physical activity. Participants should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground or unpaved trails. This tour covers areas of higher altitudes including overnight locations above 6,000 ft. and touring above 9,000 ft. with a half day trip to the top of Pike’s Peak which is 14,000 ft.