Colorado’s Historic Trains- July 21 - 29, 2017

If you’re a fan of the old west, a train or park enthusiast, or just someone who loves a grand adventure, this is one trip you won’t want to miss!
The Colorado Historic Train Tour provides an exciting glimpse of those historic journeys of the old west – all within the cool comfort of your seat onboard a variety of historic trains and routes. (Trains have air conditioning)
Many people are familiar with Colorado’s scenic beauty, but how many have had the pleasure of seeing it onboard Colorado’s most popular trains including the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad and Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

Don your favorite railroad hat and practice your best train whistle as we follow the historic routes of the old west with excursions on all five historic railroads, and visit three popular National Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park. This is one trip where “All Aboard” is not only an appropriate motto, it’s your call to your next thrilling adventure!

Tour Includes:

• 13 Meals (3 dinners, 2 lunches and 8 breakfasts)
• Round trip airport transfers in Denver
• 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 one 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 Route Railroad 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

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 hosted dinner. (Dinner)

DAY TWO – Rocky Mountain National Park
Departing Denver we venture into Rocky Mountain National Park, a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Moun-
tains. 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)

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 of 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 Fremont 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)

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 where you may wish to give Lady Luck a try. (Breakfast and dinner)

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. Archaeologists called them Anasazi, from a Navajo word sometimes translating as “the ancient ones.” (Breakfast)

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)

DAY SEVEN – Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Today we enjoy another journey by train aboard the Royal Gorge. 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)

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 1,300 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)

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 airport for flights home after 12:00 p.m. (Breakfast)

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Day One – Doubletree Hotel, Denver, Colorado
Day Two – Comfort Suites, Dillon, Colorado
Day Three – Hampton Inn, Montrose, Colorado
Days Four and Five – Sky Ute Casino Resort, Ignacio, Colorado
Day Six – Comfort Inn, Alamosa, Colorado
Days Seven and Eight – Radisson Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado

$3099/Person Double Occupancy
$3888/Person Single Occupancy

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