Colorado & Old West Railroads 2027 - 7 Days

Upon arrival in Denver, you will make your own way from the airport to our hotel. If you wish, you can take the train from Denver Airport to Union Station in downtown Denver.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel between 3 pm and 6 pm to assist with check-in and give you a short tour briefing, where you will be able to ask questions to prepare for the journey ahead.

The evening is free for you to explore the downtown area and enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Denver - Colorado Springs - Manitou Springs - Canon City. Today, we drive along the Front Range to Colorado Springs.

Our first stop is a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog railroad in the world. We travel from 6,300 feet to just over 14,000 feet, taking in sweeping 360-degree views and the natural beauty of the Pikes Peak region, which has drawn visitors here for generations. The railway features newly renovated train cars, tracks, and a visitor centre.

After the journey, you have some free time to explore the historic town of Manitou Springs before we travel to Canon City.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner, followed by free time for you to explore Canon City.

Canon City - Leadville - Alamosa. This morning, we ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for a scenic journey through the spectacular Royal Gorge. Since 1879, these tracks have followed the winding Arkansas River deep within Colorado’s soaring 1,000-foot granite cliffs. As we travel, we enjoy breakfast on board.

President Theodore Roosevelt described this journey as "the trip that bankrupts the English language".

Afterwards, we board the Leadville Railroad for a relaxing scenic journey through the Rocky Mountains. At 10,152 feet, we take in the mountain scenery and crisp alpine air while learning about Leadville’s rich and colourful history, including figures such as the Tabors, Molly Brown and Doc Holliday. This is a picturesque rail experience and a classic way to explore Colorado’s high country.

We then travel to Alamosa for our overnight stay.

Alamosa - Chama - Durango. We spend a full day on a journey aboard the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, known as one of America’s most scenic train rides. This narrow-gauge, coal-fired, steam-powered railroad travels 103 km through rugged and largely untouched landscapes.

Along the way, we pass historic railroad structures, travel through tunnels and gorges, and cross Cumbres Pass as we move between Colorado and New Mexico.

We will then enjoy lunch at the Osier Dining Hall, located midway along the route.

At the end of our rail journey in Chama, New Mexico, we continue by road through the southern end of the San Juan Mountains to Durango, Colorado. Here, we spend the evening in this historic town.

Durango - Silverton - Ouray. This morning, we board the Durango and Silverton Railroad for a journey along the Animas River, travelling 72 km through the canyons of the San Juan National Forest. This historic line has been in continuous use since 1882, originally serving miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West.

On arrival in Silverton, we have time to enjoy lunch in one of the town’s historic restaurants.

We then continue with a three-hour Jeep tour over Corkscrew Pass, reaching elevations above 12,000 feet. We travel along mountain trails beside high cliffs and historic mining routes, taking in the striking colours of the Red Mountains.

After this experience, we visit Ouray, where you have time to explore the historic town centre.

Ouray - Denver. Today, we depart Ouray and travel through the Rocky Mountains, crossing the Continental Divide as we make our way towards the Front Range. Along the way, we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, we arrive in the historic town of Georgetown. Here, we board the Georgetown Loop Railroad for a scenic journey through the mountains aboard a narrow-gauge train, travelling through rugged terrain and past historic mining sites.

We also visit the Lebanon Silver Mine, where we explore an original mine tunnel and learn about Colorado’s mining history.

After this experience, we continue to Denver and transfer to our hotel near the airport for the evening.

Depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time for some last-minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before taking the hotel's complimentary shuttle to Denver International Airport. Marking the end of our tour. Safe travels!