Colorado’s Historic Trains 2012
9 Days · 13 Meals
Travel Type: Air Holiday
Featuring Five Rail Excursions
The excitement mounts as you make your way through the magnificent Rocky Mountains aboard five of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Plus, see national parks, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods and more!
Highlights
- 13 Meals (3 dinners, 2 lunches and 8 breakfasts)
- Round trip airport transfers
- Experience Five scenic rail excursions following historic routes of the Old West
- Travel north along the Arkansas River Valley aboard the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, voted on of the “Top Ten Most Exciting Rail Journeys in the World”
- Ride through the Rockies aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Ride the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway across the famous Hanging Bridge
- Climb 7,539 feet on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Visit the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park, a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains
- Tour Mesa Verde National Park with its amazing cliff dwellings, home to “the Ancient Ones,” the Anasazi Indians
- Visit the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park
- Visit the U.S. Air Force Academy and Cadet Chapel (when available)
- Drive through Garden of the Gods Park with its unique red sandstone formations
- $45 in Mayflower Money
Itinerary
1
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Day One – Arrive in Denver
Welcome to Denver, Colorado, the “Mile High City.” Meet your fellow travelers at 5:00 p.m. for a get-acquainted dinner hosted by your Tour Manager. (Dinner)
2
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Day Two – Rocky Mountain National Park
Departing Denver we venture into Rocky Mountain National Park, a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet on the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, the park is filled with breathtaking scenery and experiences. Following the Trail Ridge Road a stop at the Alpine Visitor Center offers an opportunity to learn more about this fascinating place. (Breakfast)
3
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Day Three – Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad
Today we travel to historic Leadville to board the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. While onboard, learn about the fascinating history of the railroads, ghost stories and tales from the wild from your conductor while traveling north along the Arkansas River Valley. Rising up 1,000 feet from the valley floor you will be greeted by spectacular views of Freemont Pass and the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert. Later, we travel through scenic Monarch Pass and Curecanti National Recreation Area while en route to Montrose. (Breakfast and box lunch)
4
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Day Four – Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
This morning we visit the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Then, it’s “full steam ahead” today as we board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Voted one of the “Top Ten Most Exciting Train Journeys in the World” by the Society of American Travel Writers, this route winds through the spectacular and breathtaking canyons in the remote wilderness of the two-million acre San Juan National Forest. The locomotives used today remain 100% coal-fired, steam-operated and are maintained in their original condition. Later, we check into the Sky Ute Casino Resort for the next two nights. (Breakfast and dinner)
5
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Day Five – Mesa Verde National Park
Today we visit the land of the ancient Pueblo Indians in Mesa Verde National Park. The fascinating cliff dwellings and culture of these people provide us with a look into a society that existed approximately 1400 years ago. Building elaborate stone communities, the Pueblos developed their own society that existed for some 700 years, before disappearing. Archeologists called them Anasazi, from a Navajo word sometimes translating as “the ancient ones.” (Breakfast)
6
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Day Six – Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Our day begins as we board our motorcoach and ride to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the original Rio Grande Line,. This is America’s most spectacular narrow gauge steam railroad. Enjoy lunch onboard as you explore 50 miles of wild and rugged territory between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado the highest point on the railroad. (Breakfast and lunch)
7
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Day Seven – Royal Gorge Scenic Railway
Today we enjoy another journey by train aboard the Royal Gorge Railway. The 12-mile route follows the most famous portion of the old Denver and Rio Grande Western train line. We ride through the “Grand Canyon of the Arkansas” on an unforgettable journey over the famous Hanging Bridge, which clings precariously to the steep granite walls of Royal Gorge. (Breakfast)
8
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Day Eight – Colorado Springs
This morning we travel aboard our motorcoach to the U.S. Air Force Academy and its famous Cadet Chapel (when available). Next, it’s on to the stunning Garden of the Gods, a 1300 acre park where flora and fauna reflect the rich diversity of the terrain, and red sandstone formations tell a unique geological story. The Garden lies at the base of Pikes Peak, which is our next adventure. “Ride to the Clouds!” aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog railroad in the U.S. which stretches nine miles long as it vertically climbs to almost 14,000 feet. This evening we assemble for a farewell dinner, sharing memories of this unforgettable rail journey. (Breakfast and dinner)
9
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Day Nine – Denver and Home
Following breakfast we say goodbye to Colorado with fond memories of our western railroads adventure with a group transfer to the Denver International Airport for flights home after 12:00 p.m. (Breakfast)
Accommodations
Day One
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Denver, Colorado
Day Two
Holiday Inn Summit County, Frisco, Colorado
Day Three
Hampton Inn or Quality Inn, Montrose, Colorado
Days Four and Five
Sky Ute Casino Resort, Ignacio, Colorado
Day Six
Inn of the Rio Grande, Alamosa, Colorado
Days Seven and Eight
Radisson Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Dates & Rates
| 2012 Departure Dates | Per Person Twin | Single Room Add | Triple Room Deduct |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15 | $1,939 | add $679 | deduct $16 |
| August 3 | $1,939 | add $679 | deduct $16 |
| September 7 | $1,939 | add $679 | deduct $16 |
| September 14 | $1,939 | add $679 | deduct $16 |
| September 21 | $1,939 | add $679 | deduct $16 |
Call for air rates and schedules from your city to and from Denver.
Stay another night
Rooms for the night before the tour are available.
Cost for a room in Denver is $149, tax included.
Destination Map
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