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Teddy Roosevelt described a train journey through Colorado as "the trip that bankrupts the English language."
Beginning and ending in Denver, this extraordinary itinerary makes a great circle of the Rockies and includes five remarkable train rides that fully justify President Roosevelt's enthusiasm.
We commence this railway journey in Denver, where a breathtaking first glimpse of the wonders of Colorado lies ahead aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Moving on, the magnificent red rocks of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak are beautifully presented through in-depth tours.
Enjoy sights of the changing landscape as the tour moves west across the Continental Divide and take in the unique offerings of the cities of Durango and Alamosa. We are treated to little-seen views of the mountains, valleys and forests of Colorado aboard four more railways - the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad and the Royal Gorge Route Railroad - before returning to Denver. By train and motorcoach, your scenic journey through the Rockies is beyond all expectations.
Price per person includes:
Holiday departs June through October - Please call Bon Voyage to check availability for your dates of travel. All tours and inclusions are subject to change. Pre/post travel options are available.
Board your deluxe motorcoach in the ‘Mile High City’ this morning. Sit back and relax as we drive up to the spectacular Clear Creek Canyon to Georgetown. It’s in this historic town that you’ll embark your first rail adventure on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. This heritage narrow-gauge train, which dates back to the 1800s, connects the towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume and offers a glimpse back to gold and silver mining past of the Colorado Rockies. During the hour long journey you’ll enjoy corkscrew and horseshoe curves and journey across four bridges.
Enjoy lunch in town followed by the scenic drive south along the Front Range to your home for the next two nights, Colorado Springs.
It's a visit this morning to Garden of the Gods, located at the base of Pikes Peak, this National Natural Landmark and popular park features stunning red rock geological formations. We tour with a local guide who will tell you about this amazing natural wonder.
Early afternoon, it’s a 14,115 feet ascend by motorcoach to the summit of Colorado’s mighty Pikes Peak Mountain. There’s several stops on the way to admire the panoramic views. Keep an eye out for elk, bears and mountains goats as we head towards the top. You’ve got 40 minutes once at the summit to enjoy the vistas, if you’re lucky, on a clear day you can see five states – Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico!
Today expect a scenery overload as we drive west over the Rockies through the San Juan Mountains and into the cowboy town of Durango!
Keep a look out for wildlife as we enjoy relaxing views of the parks and mountains of central Colorado while travelling over Ute Pass, the Continental Divide, and Trout Creek Pass to the base of the Sawatch Range.
After a leisurely lunch stop in Salida we note the changes in the landscape as our guide explains the history, culture, and geology of southern Colorado while we cross Poncha Pass and enter Luis Valley, skirting the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains.
![Durango-Silverton-train[1].jpg](https://resources.bon-voyage.co.uk/img/uploads/10541_fit588x588.jpg)
Today embark on the grandest of all Colorado rail journeys, the steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's ascent of the Animas River Canyon to the ghost town of Silverton. The train travels 45 miles north from Durango through scenery that resembles that of Switzerland.
The climb begins in the valley of the Animas River before the canyon narrows, all roads vanish, and for 30 miles there exists only the railroad, the glacial green waters of the Animas and the 3,657 to 4,267-metre peaks of the San Juan Mountains.
There is time for lunch on your own in Silverton, as well as time to explore the shops, before returning to Durango this afternoon by coach. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
![CO CubresandToltec_DC[1].jpg](https://resources.bon-voyage.co.uk/img/uploads/12352_fit588x588.jpg)
Early this morning, the group drives to Chama, New Mexico where you'll board the longest narrow-gauge steam railway in North America: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
The route follows the former Denver & Rio Grande San Juan Extension for 64 miles over the 3,058-metre Cumbres Pass through the heart of the San Juan Mountains and crosses the New Mexico/Colorado border 11 times. Past the divide, the train enters the deep canyon of the Rio de Los Pinos, and for 50 miles no paved road crosses the tracks.
There is a stop for lunch in Osier, after which the train's journey continues with a steep descent past Toltec Gorge. Your day concludes in Alamosa, where the evening is at your leisure.
Travelling the tracks since 1882, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad connects Alamosa and Le Veta via the Le Veta Pass. Offering a huge dose of nostalgia on this journey you'll travel through old Wild West towns and the beautiful San Luis Valley.
Today's excursion takes us along Colorado's standard gauge Rio Grande Scenic Railroad from Alamosa to La Veta. This line restores passenger service to the wildly beautiful La Veta Pass, a summit last crossed by regularly scheduled passenger trains over 50 years ago.
We enjoy our lunch onboard the 1920s restored cars as we listen to the tales about the history of the region. Afterwards, we continue by coach to Great Sand Dunes National Park, where the endless easterly wind across the San Luis Valley has created towering sand dunes which rise to 228 meters above the valley floor against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Today explore the Royal Gorge canyon's plunging depths aboard the restored Royal Gorge Route Railroad in the first-class vista-dome car. This journey combines history and incredible scenery on a two-hour route through Colorado's beautiful back country.
Travel along the Arkansas River and see the Hanging Bridge at the narrowest point in the chasm. We enjoy lunch in the train’s dining car. The excursion concludes with a stop underneath the soaring Suspension Bridge from the rim to the river's edge. After a rewarding day, the group drives back to Denver, where the evening is at your leisure.
