Overview
Historic Trains of the Old West
If the closest thing to time travel is train travel, then you’ll love riding the rails into the unspoiled scenic past of Colorado. This off-the-beaten path tour of the U.S. West is just the ticket to chug through the untamed beauty of the Royal Gorge aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railway; through the magnificent mesas and canyons of San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad; and through the rugged splendor of the Rockies aboard the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad. You’ll also pick up steam with visits to Colorado Spring’s Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings, Chimayo’s famous pilgrimage site, and Glenwood Spring’s historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt’s. Train buffs will also enjoy time in Durango’s D&SNG Railway Museum. All aboard!
Highlights of Historic Trains of the Old West
Related Tours
NC|Historic Trains of the Old WestNCS|With Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Vacation Type
y
Related Option Title
Historic Trains of the Old West
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Notes
Add 2 days in Albuquerque for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Available only on the tour NCS on October 2nd & 9th. Enjoy spectacular fall colors on our Fall Foliage departures: September 9 & 11 (Mother Nature permitting).
Product Group
Historic Trains of the Old West
UNESCO Sites
Mesa Verde National Park
Price Details US
Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase.
Inclusions
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
Travelers Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app! Enjoy spectacular fall colors on our Fall Foliage departures: September 9 & 11 (Mother Nature permitting).
Meals
Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN DENVER, COLORADO Welcome to Colorado! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.TOUR HIGHLIGHT ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains is the perfect place to kick back with a view of the sunset over Mount Evans while enjoying a local IPA or Colorado coffee after dinner. Ask your Tour Director for the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.DENVER-STATE-CAPITOL-BUILDING.jpg
Day 2
DENVER–ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROAD–COLORADO SPRINGS All Aboard the Royal Gorge! Depart on a scenic drive south to the Royal Gorge for a unique experience on the spectacular Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Later, travel to Colorado Springs to explore Garden of The Gods, featuring 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snowcapped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE When President Teddy Roosevelt rode the rails through the Royal Gorge in 1905, he described the experience as “the trip that bankrupts the English language.” You’ll be speechless too on this train ride through the breathtaking scenery of the Royal Gorge as it cuts a deep path through the Rockies along the Arkansas River.COLORADO-SPRINGS-GARDEN-OF-GODS.jpg
Day 3
COLORADO SPRINGS–SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO The American Southwest Depart Colorado Springs and head south into New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment,” to the charming city of Santa Fe. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Experience the rich history and richer culture of Santa Fe - home to an abundance of art galleries amid its diverse visual arts scene of ancient traditional art to modern contemporary works that celebrate the desert beauty of this ruggedly beautiful landscape.SANTA-FE-OLD-MISSION-CHURCH.jpg
Day 4
SANTA FE. EXCURSION TO CHIMAYO Enchanted Jewels Today, begin with a captivating glimpse into the diversity of folk art from around the world. The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe allows you to explore a vast collection of traditional textiles, ceramics, paintings, and other unique objects that showcase the rich cultural heritage of different regions and communities. We then visit nearby Chimayo, which was founded in the 17th century by Spanish settlers. Enjoy lunch at the Rancho de Chimayo, located in a century-old adobe home, serving some of the best New Mexican cuisine. Visit [LF] Santuario De Chimayo and learn about the miraculous healing powers that still attract thousands of pilgrims each year. Return to Santa Fe, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORY & HERITAGE Experience the spiritual traditions of the American Southwest in Chimayo. This historic area attracts locals and guests alike who visit its church sanctuary, which holds sacred soil known for its healing powers. Experience this legendary, authentic New Mexican tradition! CHIMAYO.jpg
Day 5
SANTA FE–BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT–TAOS–DURANGO Ancient Cultures Leave Santa Fe, stopping to explore the ancient Anasazi Puebloans, their cliff dwellings, and the museum at Bandelier National Monument. Visit the adobe town of Taos for free time to explore. Continue into Colorado for Durango, a town born in the Gold Rush and silver-mining era. Tonight, spend free time browsing the many shops on Main Street or enjoy a cold pint at one of the city’s local breweries. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM Explore the age-old dwellings of Bandelier National Monument. Envision a way of life long since passed to gaze at mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and several thousand ancestral Pueblo dwellings sharing 33,000 acres of designated wilderness. Bandelier's human history is traced to over 11,000 years ago when nomadic hunter-gatherers followed migrating wildlife across the land. By 1150 AD Ancestral Pueblo people began to build more permanent settlements. This incredible site is inspiring as the Pueblo blessing: “Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth.” BANDELIER-NATIONAL-MONUMENT.jpg
Day 6
DURANGO. EXCURSION TO MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK Today, visit Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Durango for a guided tour of the D&SNG Railway Museum with free time to see the exhibits including an extensive model train layout. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTANCIENT DWELLINGS See Spruce Tree House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that depicts the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot ancient plateau (now Mesa Verde National Park). Stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace (one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings).MESA-VERDE.jpg
Day 7
DURANGO–NARROW-GAUGE RAILROAD–SILVERTON–GLENWOOD SPRINGS All Aboard in Durango! Board the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest. Continue to Glenwood Springs for an overnight stay at the historic [LF] Hotel Colorado. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Board the legendary Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad steam train as it hugs steep canyon walls to wind its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon. Arrive in Silverton, once a major mining town that owes its name to the bragging statement by an early miner: “We have no gold, but silver by the ton!” LOCAL FAVORITEACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy a stay at the historic Hotel Colorado in beautiful Glenwood Springs. This elegant Rocky Mountain retreat has been a welcomed respite for travelers for more than 125 years where special guests like President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown have enjoyed its gracious accommodations and service in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.DURANGO-SILVERTON-TRAIN.jpg
Day 8
GLENWOOD SPRINGS–GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILROAD–DENVER Making Tracks in the Old West Travel through the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains to historic Georgetown for a scenic ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Continue east to Denver, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Climb aboard the historic Georgetown Railroad to be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Rockies. Envision the old railroad days as you roll through stunning views of aspen trees, pines, and firs with views of Clear Creek Canyon.GEORGETOWN-LOOP-TRAIN.jpg
Day 9
DENVER Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more in Denver? Additional nights are available for purchase. (B)DENVER.jpg
Departures
| # | Air Start Date | Land Start Date | Land End Date | Land Only Price | Discount | Final | Departure Code | Status |
| 1 | 2025-06-02 | 2025-06-02 | 2025-06-10 | $4279 | $0 | $4279 | NC50602 | Available |
| 2 | 2025-06-16 | 2025-06-16 | 2025-06-24 | $4779 | $500 | $4279 | NC50616K | Available |
| 3 | 2025-07-14 | 2025-07-14 | 2025-07-22 | $4279 | $0 | $4279 | NC50714 | Not Available |
| 4 | 2025-08-11 | 2025-08-11 | 2025-08-19 | $4879 | $250 | $4629 | NC50811K | Not Available |
| 5 | 2025-08-25 | 2025-08-25 | 2025-09-02 | $4329 | $250 | $4079 | NC50825 | Available |
| 6 | 2025-09-01 | 2025-09-01 | 2025-09-09 | $4879 | $0 | $4879 | NC50901K | Not Available |
| 7 | 2025-09-08 | 2025-09-08 | 2025-09-16 | $4229 | $0 | $4229 | NC50908 | Available |
| 8 | 2025-09-10 | 2025-09-10 | 2025-09-18 | $4879 | $0 | $4879 | NC50910K | Not Available |
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Sonesta Denver Downtown | Visit this Denver boutique hotel for an urban retreat. Find out more about their excellent downtown location that provides easy access to Denver adventures. You'll be close to the Colorado Convention Center, as well as well-known sights like the vibrant LoDo area and renowned sports venues like Coors Field and Ball Arena. | Denver | 1450 Glenarm Place | First-Class |
| 2 | Embassy Suites by Hilton Colorado Springs | Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains within close proximity to the Air Force Academy and Garden of the Gods, this all-suite hotel offers a one of a kind tropical atrium, spectacular views of Pikes Peak, spacious guestrooms with convenient amenities, fitness center, and swimming pool. | Colorado Springs | 7290 Commerce Center | First-Class |
| 3 | Hilton of Santa Fe Historic Plaza | Housed in a landmark 300 year old hacienda, the Hilton captures the magic of the Southwest and its rich cultural heritage in a luxury boutique hotel experience featuring modern amenities in the heart of Santa Fe's historic downtown. | Sante Fe | 100 Sandoval Street | First-Class |
| 4 | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango | You can find the DoubleTree by Hilton Durango at the Animas River's banks. The San Juan National Forest, which has the largest wilderness region in Colorado, is 10 miles away and offers outdoor fun. They are a five-minute stroll from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the historic Downtown Durango. When you arrive, take advantage of the hot tub, indoor pool, and DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie. | Durango | 501 Camino Del Rio | First-Class |
| 5 | Hotel Colorado | Settle into the enriching history of this hotel in the charming mountain town of Glenwood Springs. As host to dozens of presidents and well-known people throughout history, there is a lot to explore at this hotel. Not to mention the ghost stories! The hotel sits nestled between the gorgeous Colorado mountains and directly across the street from the famous Glenwood Hot Springs. Enjoy the hot spring pools, cocktails on the hotel patio, or a little shopping and dining in downtown Glenwood Springs. | Glenwood Springs | 526 Pine Street | First-Class |
