Colorado Historic Train Tour

Welcome to the vibrant Mile High City and the beginning of your Colorado rail adventure. Known for its lively arts districts, historic Union Station, and sweeping views of the Front Range, Denver is the perfect place to start your journey. Upon arrival, you will meet with your Tour Manager and transfer to your downtown hotel via motor coach, where you can relax or stroll the 16th Street Mall, enjoying street performers and cafes before the evening’s welcome dinner. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager for a welcome dinner, where you’ll meet new friends and receive a warm introduction to the days ahead. Share stories, review the itinerary, and soak in the excitement of the rail journeys and mountain landscapes waiting for you in the coming week. Meal: Dinner

Visit GroupsbyElite.com to see complete itinerary Today, you will venture into the heart of the Rockies with a journey to Rocky Mountain National Park. The scenic drive through Estes Park brings you to the park’s entrance, where towering peaks and wildlife such as elk and bighorn sheep greet visitors. Following Trail Ridge Road, one of America’s most scenic byways, you will stop at the Alpine Visitor Center for sweeping views of the Continental Divide with a picnic lunch to pair with the views. Enjoy an easy, optional walk along the Tundra Communities Trail, a flat and paved path offering alpine vistas and interpretive signs. Capture photos of Longs Peak and enjoy the crisp mountain air before departing the park, continuing to Keystone for your overnight stay in the mountains.

Your day begins in Leadville, one of Colorado’s most storied mining towns, where you will board the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. This scenic rail journey takes you along the Arkansas River Valley with views of Colorado’s tallest peaks, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, while your conductor shares tales of the Old West and local legends that shaped the region. After lunch, continue your journey with a scenic photo stop at Blue Mesa Reservoir, taking in the vast blue waters against rugged cliffs. Your day concludes with a visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where you will admire the deep, narrow canyon’s sheer cliffs on an easy walk along the Rim Rock Trail before settling into Montrose for the night

This morning, travel by motorcoach into the heart of the San Juan Mountains, arriving in the historic mining town of Silverton around midday. You’ll have time to stroll along Greene Street, browse quirky shops and old saloons, and enjoy lunch at one of the town’s local cafés while soaking in the rugged alpine setting and 1880s-era charm. In the afternoon, board the iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a one-way steam train journey through the San Juan National Forest. As the coal-fired locomotive winds its way south toward Durango, you’ll follow the Animas River through dramatic canyons, pine forests, and sheer rock walls, one of the most breathtaking rail routes in the American West. Watch for cascading waterfalls, wildlife along the riverbanks, and wide-open wilderness that feels unchanged for generations. You’ll arrive in Durango in the early evening

Today, you will step back in time as you visit Mesa Verde National Park, home to the incredible cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans who thrived in the region over 700 years ago. Begin your visit at the Visitor Center with an orientation to the park’s history, followed by stops at Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House overlooks for breathtaking views of the stone dwellings tucked into sandstone alcoves. Enjoy an easy, accessible walk along the paved path to Spruce Tree House Overlook, where you will have the chance to learn about the unique architecture and community life of the people who built and lived in these remarkable dwellings. Return to Durango in the afternoon for a relaxing evening to explore more of the town’s vibrant shops and cafes.

Depart Durango for Chama, New Mexico, where you will board the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, America’s highest and longest narrow-gauge steam railroad. This unforgettable ride takes you across 50 miles of rugged terrain, crossing the Colorado-New Mexico border multiple times while offering views of mountains, forests, and deep canyons. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch onboard while you pass through tunnels and over high trestles, watching the changing landscapes from your comfortable seat. In the late afternoon, arrive in Antonito, Colorado, where your motorcoach will transfer you to Alamosa for your overnight stay.

Today, you will travel from Alamosa to Cañon City to ride the Royal Gorge Railroad, following the Arkansas River through the dramatic Royal Gorge and crossing the famous Hanging Bridge. This scenic train journey offers a comfortable ride through what is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Arkansas," with towering granite walls rising on either side of your railcar. After your rail journey, enjoy a leisurely afternoon drive to Colorado Springs, where you can relax and settle in for the evening. Dinner is on your own tonight, giving you a chance to sample the local dining scene.

Begin your day with a visit to Garden of the Gods, where red sandstone formations tower against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Take a gentle walk on the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a flat, paved path that winds among the rock formations and offers excellent photo opportunities in the soft morning light. Later, you will board the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a ride to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, taking in sweeping views of the Colorado Front Range along the way. Continue your day with a scenic drive to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, where you can walk across one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, take in breathtaking views of the Arkansas River far below, and explore the visitor center and viewing platforms before returning to Colorado Springs for a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Colorado’s stunning landscapes and your new travel friends. Your motorcoach will take you to Denver International Airport for your flights home, concluding your journey through Colorado’s historic railways and breathtaking national parks. Leave with memories of steam trains winding through mountain valleys, the stories of the Old West, and the rich natural beauty of Colorado’s rugged landscapes