Railroads of the Old West

Arrive at the Denver Airport today and transfer on your own by taxi or Uber to your Denver hotel. If interested, enjoy the train ride from Denver Airport to Union Station in Denver, CO. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for check-in between 3 and 6 PM, to answer any questions you have and prepare for the following morning. The evening is free to explore the downtown area and have dinner on your own.

Lodging: Tru by Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center

Begin your day with a drive along the Front Range to Colorado Springs. Your first stop will be a historic and scenic ride on the world’s highest Cog Railroad, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Travel from 6,300 ft to just over 14,000 ft above sea level and experience the sweeping 360-degree views, vistas, and natural beauty of the Pikes Peak region, which has drawn generations of explorers and travelers. With its newly renovated train cars, tracks, and visitors center, this is a fantastic train to start your journey! 

Once finished, you will have a bit of free time to explore historic Manitou Springs before traveling down to Canon City for a welcome dinner and some free time to explore for the evening.

Lodging: Hampton Inn, Canon City, CO

Meals: B, D

Morning: Royal Gorge Route Railroad (Vista Dome) + Catered Breakfast

Start the day with a delicious catered breakfast aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, one of Colorado’s most iconic scenic train rides. Travel through the spectacular Royal Gorge as the tracks follow the winding Arkansas River deep below towering 1,000-foot granite cliffs—a route that has amazed travelers since 1879.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt famously called it “the trip that bankrupts the English language!”

You’ll ride in the Vista Dome car, featuring glass-topped dome seating for panoramic views of the canyon and river. Enjoy made-to-order breakfast entrees from the fresh grill menu, plus a fully stocked bar with specialty drinks, beer, and wine. Relax at your table or step into an open-air car for fresh mountain air and unforgettable scenery.

Midday: Leadville Railroad Scenic Train Ride (Lounge Car Experience)

After lunch en route, continue your Colorado rail adventure with the Leadville Railroad, a fun and relaxing Rocky Mountain scenic train ride that climbs into the heart of Colorado’s high country. At 10,152 feet, you’ll take in sweeping mountain views and breathe in crisp alpine air.

Along the way, learn about Leadville’s rich mining history and legendary characters like the Tabors, Molly Brown, and Doc Holliday. It’s a quintessential way to experience Colorado high country in comfort and style.

Your seating will be in the Lounge Car, which is fully enclosed and heated when needed. An attendant is typically available to help with drinks and snacks available for purchase onboard. Lounge seating includes booth-style tables that accommodate groups of four, plus two-person tables—ideal for couples and friends traveling together.

Evening: Drive to Alamosa with Views of Sangre de Cristo & Great Sand Dunes National Park

The final leg of today’s journey takes us to Alamosa, Colorado, with beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Great Sand Dunes National Park. The dunes here have been shifting for eons—an epic natural landscape spanning 30 square miles, with the tallest dunes rising to about 750 feet.

It’s a stunning area to take in as the sun drops toward the horizon. After arriving in Alamosa, you’ll have the evening free to relax, unwind, and relive the day’s unforgettable rail experiences.

Meals: B, L

Today is a full-day ride aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in the Deluxe Cars. Often described as one of the most beautiful train rides in America, this rugged narrow-gauge, coal-fired, steam-powered railroad travels 64 miles through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Rockies.

As you climb through an unspoiled mountain landscape, you’ll pass historic railroad structures dating back to the early 1900s. Take in sweeping views as the locomotive rolls through tunnels, crosses high trestles, and skirts deep gorges on its way over Cumbres Pass. Along the route, the train zig-zags between the Colorado and New Mexico border, delivering nonstop photo-worthy vistas.

Midway through the journey, we’ll stop for lunch at the historic Osier Dining Hall.

Your rail adventure ends in Chama, New Mexico. From there, we’ll drive through the southern end of the San Juan Mountains to Durango, Colorado. This evening is yours to enjoy Durango’s historic downtown, great local dining, and relaxed mountain-town atmosphere.

Meals: B, L

Morning: Historic Train Ride to Silverton (Deluxe Class, San Juan Car)

This morning’s ride is one you won’t soon forget. Step back in time aboard a historic train bound for Silverton, Colorado, a National Historic Landmark known for its rich western history. Travel through the breathtaking Animas River Valley in Deluxe Class seating aboard the San Juan car, a beautifully restored railcar that captures the craftsmanship and charm of early 20th-century rail travel in the American West.

Designed for a comfortable journey through rugged mountain terrain, the San Juan car pairs classic character with modern comfort. Along the way, enjoy some of the railroad’s most iconic highlights, including Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge, and the dramatic Animas River Gorge. You’ll also experience unforgettable views from the High Line, one of the most scenic stretches of track in the region.

Midday: Free Time in Silverton + Lunch on Your Own

After arriving in Silverton, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch at one of the town’s historic restaurants and take in the atmosphere of this classic Colorado mining town.

Afternoon: Jeep Tour Over Corkscrew Pass and the Red Mountains

Next, continue the adventure with a three-hour Jeep tour over Corkscrew Pass, climbing above 12,000 feet into the Red Mountains. Ride alongside steep mountain cliffs and historic mining trails, where the high alpine air and vivid red-and-gold landscapes create truly striking scenery.

Evening: Explore Ouray + Dinner and Optional Hot Springs

After the Jeep tour, you’ll have time to explore Ouray’s unique historic downtown, stretch your legs, and enjoy the town’s mountain charm. Dinner is on your own this evening, and if you’d like, you may choose to soak in the hot springs for a relaxing end to an unforgettable day.

Meals: B, L

This morning, depart Ouray and enjoy a scenic road tour through the Rocky Mountains as we travel across Colorado’s Western Slope, over the Continental Divide, and onward to the Front Range for our final rail experience. Along the way, take in wide-open mountain vistas, changing landscapes, and classic Colorado scenery. We’ll also stop for a great lunch at a favorite local spot.

Afternoon: Georgetown, Colorado + Georgetown Loop Railroad and Lebanon Silver Mine Tour

This afternoon, arrive in historic Georgetown, Colorado (8,500 feet). Once called the “Silver Queen of Colorado,” Georgetown boomed after major silver deposits were discovered here in 1864.

From Georgetown, board the Georgetown Loop Railroad, an old-time narrow-gauge steam train that climbs the canyon past the remains of gold and silver mines. The open-car train runs between Georgetown and Silver Plume, just over two miles apart, but the rugged mountain terrain makes for an impressive engineering feat. Along the 3.1 miles of track, you’ll cross trestles and navigate curves, cuts, fills, and loops with beautiful views throughout the ride.

At the end of the line, continue with a guided tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine. You’ll travel about 500 feet into a mine tunnel originally bored in the 1870s while your guide points out veins of silver and shares stories of early-day mining life. The mine stays a constant 44°F year-round, so be sure to bring a jacket. The tour also includes visits to the manager’s office, the miners’ change room, and the tool shed.

Late Afternoon: Return to Denver

Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to Denver, Colorado, wrapping up a memorable final day of mountain scenery, rail history, and Colorado mining heritage.

Meals: B, L

Say farewell to Colorado as you head over to Denver International Airport using the hotel's complimentary shuttle.  Safe travels and enjoy your flight home.

Meals: B