Overview
Western Rails & Canyons with Canyon Spirit Rail Journey
All aboard for a spectacular 9-day adventure through the American Southwest! Your tour through Colorado and Utah begins with an overnight stay in the ‘Mile High City’ of Denver—5,280 feet above sea level. In Colorado Springs, board the Pikes Peak cog railway to reach the summit that inspired ‘America the Beautiful.’ Explore the stunning desert landscapes of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, and the ancient indigenous dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park. Embark on a two-day scenic rail journey aboard the Canyon Spirit train from the outdoor mecca of Moab through Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and over the Continental Divide to return to Denver. You’ll also explore the natural treasures of Great Sand Dunes National Park and the scenic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Moab so you can plan your day your way.
All aboard for an unforgettable journey through the dramatic landscapes, rich history, and iconic rail routes of Colorado and Utah. Begin in Denver, the "Mile High City," before traveling to Colorado Springs to ride the historic Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit that inspired "America the Beautiful."Discover some of the American Southwest's most spectacular natural wonders, including Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and Great Sand Dunes National Parks. Explore ancient Indigenous cultural sites, marvel at towering sandstone formations, and experience breathtaking vistas across rugged desert landscapes and mountain scenery.Travel aboard the legendary Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad before embarking on a two-day rail journey aboard Canyon Spirit. Relax as panoramic dome-car views reveal the dramatic canyons, mountain passes, and wilderness landscapes of the American West while crossing the Continental Divide on one of North America's most scenic rail routes.With iconic national parks, historic rail experiences, and carefully selected sightseeing throughout Colorado and Utah, this journey offers an immersive way to discover the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the American Southwest.
Highlights of Western Rails & Canyons with Canyon Spirit Rail Journey
Notes
• The backcountry off-road adventure choice excursion is in a custom-designed, open-air 4-wheel-drive vehicle and not recommended for guests with back issues.• Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.• Canyon Spirit features Signature Experience train service with a single-level dome coach and panoramic oversized windows with reclining, comfortable, spacious seats; snacks, meals, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; elevated service, access to an outdoor viewing area, and storytelling from Onboard Hosts. The Premier Experience upgrade is available with luxury reminiscent of a bygone era, including extra attendants, additional outdoor space, and regional cuisine in an exclusive dining car.• Glenwood Springs’ properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. Your chosen hotel is determined by Canyon Spirit; rest assured it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.• The trail to the Escalante Pueblo is a ½-mile-long, paved, uphill, wheelchair-accessible trail.• Elevation advisement: Pikes Peak Cog Railway is 14,115 feet above sea level. Overnight in Durango (elevation 6512 feet).• Canyon Spirit is operated by Rocky Mountaineer/Armstrong Collective.
UNESCO Sites
Mesa Verde National Park
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour: • Visits to five national and state parks – including Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Dead Horse Point – with guided sightseeing and panoramic viewpoints• Orientation tour of Denver featuring Union Station and Mile High Stadium• Visit to Garden of the Gods Park with towering red sandstone formations• Ride on the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit• Chuckwagon-style dinner with western music at Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs• Ride on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad to Silverton• Visit to Canyon of the Ancients Visitor Center and Escalante Pueblo trail Globus Choice excursion in Moab – included in your tour, with your choice between a Canyons Cruise on the Colorado River or backcountry off-road adventure on mountain trails in an open-air 4-wheel-drive vehicle• Enjoy a two-day rail journey aboard the Canyon Spirit (formerly Rocky Mountaineer) with panoramic dome car views, storytelling, and onboard dining
Notes
• Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.• Canyon Spirit features Signature Experience train service with a single-level dome coach and panoramic oversized windows with reclining, comfortable, spacious seats; snacks, meals, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages; elevated service, access to an outdoor viewing area, and storytelling from Onboard Hosts. The Premier Experience upgrade offers luxury reminiscent of a bygone era, including extra attendants, additional outdoor space, and regional cuisine in an exclusive dining car.• Glenwood Springs’ properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. Your chosen hotel is determined by Canyon Spirit; rest assured it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.• The trail to the Escalante Pueblo is a ½-mile-long, paved, uphill, wheelchair-accessible trail.• Elevation advisement: Pikes Peak Cog Railway is 14,115 feet above sea level. Overnight in Durango (elevation 6,512 feet). • Canyon Spirit is operated by Rocky Mountaineer/Armstrong Collective.
UNESCO Sites
Mesa Verde National Park
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour:• Explore five spectacular national and state parks—Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Dead Horse Point—with guided sightseeing and breathtaking panoramic viewpoints• Discover Denver's highlights on an orientation tour featuring historic Union Station and Empower Field at Mile High (formally Mile High Stadium)• Visit Garden of the Gods and marvel at its towering red sandstone formations set against the Rocky Mountains• Ride the historic Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak for spectacular mountain views • Enjoy a [LF] chuckwagon-style dinner with live western music at the historic Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs• Travel aboard the legendary [LF] Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through dramatic mountain scenery to the historic mining town of Silverton• Ride on the historic [LF] Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad to Silverton• Visit the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum and walk the Escalante Pueblo Trail to explore the legacy of the Ancestral Puebloans• Experience a two-day rail journey aboard the Canyon Spirit (formally Rocky Mountaineer), featuring panoramic dome-car views, regional storytelling, and onboard dining through the spectacular landscapes of the American West
Meals
Breakfast daily, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Meals
Breakfast daily, 2 Lunches, 3 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.ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Denver with a visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, or enjoy a walk through the mile-long pedestrian friendly 16th Street. Your Tour Director has suggestions for your free time, and your GlobusGO mobile app puts all the possibilities right at your fingertips.
Day 2
DENVER–COLORADO SPRINGS The Mile-High City See Denver’s historic Union Station, Mile High Stadium, and more on an orientation tour en route to Colorado Springs. Explore Garden of the Gods Park, featuring 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snowcapped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. Take a thrilling ride on the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog railroad in the world. Travel up to the summit of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, the place that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful. Tonight, a [LF] home-cooked BBQ dinner with western music under the stars at the historic Flying W Ranch (weather permitting). (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Enjoy Rocky Mountain home cooking under the stars with a BBQ at Flying W Ranch. Feel free to don your western garb and tap along to western music to get you in the spirit at this working cattle ranch in the Colorado foothills!
Day 3
COLORADO SPRINGS–GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK–DURANGO Peak Perfection A scenic drive travels along the Highway of Legends Scenic and Historic Byway, with views of the Sangre de Cristo Range, home to ten 14,000-foot peaks, and through meandering ranchlands to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Later, continue deeper into the Colorado wilderness passing through the San Juan National Forest to Durango. Tonight is free to explore Durango to visit the local restaurants, saloons, speakeasy, and more on historic Main Street. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS A sandbox of epic proportions, the entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles, with the tallest dune towering 750 feet high. With the highest dunes in North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, and soaring peaks. Enjoy free time here to explore the dune field trails.
Day 4
DURANGO. RAIL JOURNEY TO SILVERTON Rocky Mountain Highs This morning, board the [LF] Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest. Enjoy leisure time in Silverton’s authentic western downtown. Return to Durango on the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway for a free evening. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE The legendary Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train hugs steep canyon walls as it winds its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon to Silverton, a National Historic Landmark. Silverton, once a major mining town, owes its name to an early miner’s claim, “We have no gold, but silver by the ton!” Spend time visiting the breweries, boutiques, and saloons that dot the thriving Greene Street.
Day 5
DURANGO–MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK–CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS–MOAB, UTAH Ancient Mystery Today is a step back to ancient times, lands, and people. Start with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continuing to the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument Visitor Center and Museum, in the Four Corners region of Southwestern Colorado. Continue to Moab for a free evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & TRADITION Learn about the Ancestral Puebloans and see their mysterious, centuries-old cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that depicts the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot plateau and stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace, one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings. Learn of the Native American and historic cultures at the Anasazi Heritage Center and walk in the footsteps of these great people by visiting the Escalante and Dominquez Pueblos.
Day 6
MOAB. EXCURSION TO CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK & DEADHORSE STATE PARK Spend your day your way in Moab Visit magnificent Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. Explore more of Moab with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
Day 7
MOAB–ARCHES NATIONAL PARK–CANYON SPIRIT RAIL–GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO Rockies by Rail Today, explore the incredible landscape of Arches National Park, containing more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch. Then embark on the Canyon Spirit for a scenic train ride in Signature Class. Travel east through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area. See Parachute Creek and Mount Logan while following the scenic Colorado River. Take in the beautiful red rock formations, desert cliffs of Ruby Canyon, and mountain vistas. Overnight stay in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado. (B,L,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHTTRAIN SPOTLIGHT Canyon Spirit travels through spectacular scenery on the journey to Glenwood Springs and Denver. Signature Service features a single-level glass dome coach offering reclining seats, meals served at your seat, an outdoor viewing area, and panoramic views from oversized windows. Enjoy an onboard culinary experience in regional cuisine and ingredients local to the Southwestern U.S.
Day 8
GLENWOOD SPRINGS–CANYON SPIRIT RAIL–DENVER On Top of the World A full day aboard the Canyon Spirit through the Colorado high country. Arrive in Denver this evening for a farewell reception hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS From dense wooded forests and white-capped mountains of White River National Forest to the picturesque Byers and Gore Canyons and the tranquil mountain lakes of Arapahoe National Forest, you’ll experience the journey of a lifetime. Cross the high elevations of the Continental Divide with a sparkling wine toast while riding through the six-mile-long Moffatt Tunnel.
Day 9
DENVER Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Denver? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Hotel Indigo Denver Downtown | Hotel Indigo Denver Downtown combines the charm of a boutique hotel with top-notch amenities just steps away from Union Station. The hotel features rustic-chic décor with mural-size golf-mining photos, plenty of natural light, sliding barn doors, and polished concrete ceilings. | Denver | 1801 Wewatta Street | 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 | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango | This hotel is located along the Animas River's banks. A five-minute stroll gets you to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and historic Downtown Durango. The San Juan National Forest, which contains Colorado's largest wilderness region, is ten miles away and offers outdoor fun. | Durango | 501 Camino Del Rio | First-Class |
| 4 | Hyatt Place Moab | Located only five miles away from the sandstone arches of Moab, Hyatt Place Moab features spacious and comfortable guestrooms, 24-hour dining, pool, fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi. | Moab | 890 North Main Street | Moderate First-Class |
