COLORADO ROCKIES BY RAIL 

DAY 1
California Zephyr.
Pickup at home takes you to Chicago Union Station to board Amtrak's westbound California Zephyr.  This Superliner train is two stories tall.  Your spacious reclining coach seat* is upstairs and includes a leg rest, foot rest, folding tray table, and individual reading light.  Sandwiches or dinner may be bought in the Sightseer Lounge or diner this evening.

DAY 2
Denver Touring.
After the Zephyr arrives in Denver this morning, our deluxe motorcoach meets us for a tour of "the Mile High City."  Along the way, we pass the gold-domed Colorado State Capitol, the U.S. Mint and Coors Field.  Lunch is included at a favorite local restaurant.  We continue 60 miles south to Colorado Springs and our accommodations for the next two nights at the Radisson Hotel.(L)

DAY 3
Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak. 
Satisfy your mountain appetite with a full breakfast at the hotel this morning.  Our Colorado Springs touring begins at the heavenly Garden of the Gods.  See the colorful rock formations on a narrated driving tour before spending time at the Visitors Center.  This afternoon, we board the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway for the safe, comfortable ride up to the 14,710-foot summit of Pikes Peak.  Here we may see the vistas that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write her poem "America the Beautiful" in 1893.  After dinner in Colorado Springs we return to the Radisson.(B,D)

DAY 4
Air Force Academy, Royal Gorge Railroad. 
After breakfast, we head to the U.S. Air Force Academy to see the campus and its beautiful chapel.  Later, travel to Canon City to board the Royal Gorge Railroad.  This two-hour excursion train ride goes through the spectacular Royal Gorge, "the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River."  Cross the river on the famous hanging bridge and look up to the suspension bridge 1,000 feet overhead.  Dinner and lodging are at the Holiday Inn Express at Alamosa, CO.(B,D)

DAY 5

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. 
Travel to Antonito this morning for a trip back in time aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.  This steam-powered, open-air coach train chugs 50 miles through western wilderness and over the 10,022-foot Cumbres Pass to Chama, NM.  There's no diner on this train, so it's everybody off for a picnic lunch at the Osier station.  After dinner, our overnight accommodations are at the Durango, CO, Comfort Inn.(L,D)

DAY 6
Durango & Silverton Steam Train Ride, Million-Dollar Highway. 
After breakfast its "All Aboard!" the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  This incredible three-hour steam train ride follows the Animas River through the mountains to Silverton, CO.  Back on the motorcoach, ride the Million-Dollar Highway north to Grand Junction, CO.  Dinner and lodging tonight are at the Doubletree by Hilton in Grand Junction.(B,D)

DAY 7
Georgetown Loop Railroad. 
After breakfast, cross the Rockies by motorcoach, going through the Eisenhower Tunnel and over 11,992-foot Loveland Pass.  After lunch along the way, we board an open-air coach for a 70-minute, 6.5-mile steam train ride.  Thrill as the Georgetown Loop Railroad passes over the curving Devil's Gate Viaduct, 96 feet above Clear Creek.  Back at historic Denver Union Station we wait for the evening departure of Amtrak's eastbound California Zephyr.(B,L) 

DAY 8
Zephyr Home. 
Relax and remember as the Zephyr rolls across the plains.  The afternoon arrival at Chicago Union Station brings to a close our wonderful train tour of the Colorado Rockies.  Return transfers take us home from the station.

Call with questions about this tour:
800-323-8383