Rockies Rail Adventure: 9 Days Escorted Tour Ride the rails of four legendary trains through the backbone of America, the rugged Rocky Mountains. You'll traverse the heart of the range on Amtrak's California Zephyr, ride through the River of Lost Souls Canyon aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and take the awesome Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad of the San Juan range. Plus explore New Mexico's enchanting Taos and beautiful Santa Fe. Inclusions Highlights Features Itinerary Dates Inclusions 2 nights at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver 1 night at the Doubletree Hotel Grand Junction 2 nights at the Doubletree Hotel Durango 1 night at the Historic Taos Inn in Taos 2 nights at the Hilton of Santa Fe 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners Highlights Ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad to Silver Plume Take Amtrak's California Zephyr through the Colorado Rockies See Colorado National Monument Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Tour Mesa Verde National Park Ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad through the San Juan Mountains Explore Taos and Taos Pueblo Enjoy Santa Fe for museums and free time at the Plaza Special Features This unique itinerary features trains inaccessible by road. Separate handling and transfers of luggage for train rides are pre-arranged.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Begin Denver
Your wonder-filled journey begins in Denver, "the mile high city," as you make your way to the distinguished landmark Brown Palace Hotel. Meet this evening for the welcome reception and dinner. BROWN PALACE HOTEL

Day 2 - Denver/Georgetown Loop Railroad
Drive into the foothills of the Rockies outside Denver, to Georgetown, where miners built opulent Victorian mansions with their silver ore profits. The Georgetown Loop Railroad, famous for its Devil's Gate High Bridge, was built to carry the mining ore. Enjoy the narrow gauge train ride from Georgetown to Silver Plume. BROWN PALACE HOTEL

Day 3 - California Zephyr/Grand Junction
Board Amtrak's famous California Zephyr for your ride through the heart of the Rockies. Climb the east face of the mountains, cross the Continental Divide in the six-mile long Moffat Tunnel, and enjoy vistas of rugged canyons, pristine wilderness and deep gorges. Late this afternoon when the light is best, take the Rim Rock Drive through Colorado National Monument outside of Grand Junction. DOUBLETREE HOTEL GRAND JUNCTION

Day 4 - Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Enjoy time in Silverton, an old western mining town where prospectors and cowboys sought their fortunes, before boarding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The train's route, inaccessible by car, follows the River of Lost Souls Canyon and hugs craggy mountain chasms. This afternoon arrive in Durango, a Registered National Historical landmark and once the hangout of western gunslingers. DOUBLETREE HOTEL DURANGO

Day 5 - Mesa Verde National Park
Visit Mesa Verde National Park, home of the lost Anasazi civilization who were ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians. See cliff dwellings, abandoned centuries before Columbus discovered America, with their pithouses and kivas. Upon return to Durango, the remainder of the day is free. DOUBLETREE HOTEL DURANGO

Day 6 - Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad/Taos
At Chama board the narrow gauge steam train, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, spiked down in 1880 to serve the San Juan Mountain mining camps. Lucius Beebe called it "the most awesomely spectacular mountain railroading in North America." The line climbs forested slopes through Osier and the Toltec Gorge and repeatedly crisscrosses the Colorado-New Mexico state border. Disembark in Antonito and see the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a dizzying 650 feet above the river, on your way to Taos. Enjoy dinner this evening at the renowned Doc Martins and overnight at the HISTORIC TAOS INN.

Day 7 - Taos Pueblo/Santa Fe
See Taos Pueblo, built before 1400 AD and still inhabited by 1,500 Native Americans, and the Millicent Rogers Museum, with its collection of historic Native American jewelry, ceramics and paintings. Enjoy lunch at the hacienda Rancho de Chimayo before continuing to Santa Fe, the charming capital of New Mexico, for two finale nights at the HILTON OF SANTA FE.

Day 8 - Santa Fe
Explore Santa Fe this morning with your expert local guide. Visit the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, where you'll feel as though you're entering a giant Navajo Hogan, and then enjoy the delightful International Folk Art Museum. There is free time to wander the Plaza area around the Palace of the Governors before your farewell dinner. HILTON OF SANTA FE

Day 9 - Conclude Albuquerque
Transfer is provided from Santa Fe to the Albuquerque Airport. Please do not book flights departing before noon. Adios!

Not Included

• Airfare is not included. Please inquire about our competitive rates at the time of booking.

Travel Dates & Rates

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• Booking Code: RRA

• Land only rate is per person based on double occupancy.
• Triple reduction is from $215 per person.
• Pre/post nights are available upon request. Reservation deposit is $350 per person. Travel insurance is highly recommended

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.