Denver to Moab - 9 Days

Welcome to Denver. With the Rocky Mountains as a dramatic backdrop, the city blends Old West heritage with modern skyscrapers and lively urban energy. On arrival at Denver International Airport, make your own way to the hotel, where you will meet your Tour Director. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Denver - Cheyenne. This morning, we enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the Mile High City, including the gold-domed State Capitol, where the 13th step on the west side sits exactly 5,280 feet above sea level - one mile high.

A short drive from Denver brings us into Rocky Mountain National Park, where 415 square miles protect some of the region’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The highlight is Trail Ridge Road, known as the Highway to the Sky, with sweeping views across peaks, alpine tundra above the treeline and the Continental Divide at 12,183 feet.

We then continue to Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming and a city that still reflects the spirit of the Old West. Often regarded as the nation’s railroad capital, Cheyenne is home to an impressive collection of steam engines, including Old Number 4004 - the world’s largest steam locomotive and one of only eight remaining Big Boys on display in the United States.

Cheyenne - Mt.Rushmore - Deadwood. Our day begins with a visit to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. First established as a private fur trading post, it later became the largest and best-known military post on the Northern Plains, playing a central role in the story of America’s westward expansion.

From here, we travel through the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Seeing the carved faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln in person is a memorable experience and a striking introduction to America’s history and heritage.

Deadwood - Cody. Today we cross back into Wyoming and travel towards Cody through Bighorn National Forest. Along the way, rolling hills, alpine lakes, rugged cliffs, pine forests and the Bighorn Mountains create a changing and dramatic landscape.

On arrival in Cody, we visit the Buffalo Bill Museum, which celebrates the spirit of the American West through the life and legacy of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the town’s founder. In the evening, seasonal attractions may include rodeos, gunfight re-enactments and cowboy music.

Cody - Yellowstone. Today we enter Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States and one of the country’s great natural wonders. This vast landscape is shaped by geysers, rivers, waterfalls, mountain ranges and ancient volcanic activity.

Famous sights such as Old Faithful and Yellowstone Canyon are even more impressive in person than in photographs. Yellowstone is also one of the best places to spot wildlife, with eagles, grizzly and black bears, bison, elk and more all found within the park.

Yellowstone - Salt Lake City. Leaving Yellowstone behind, we travel through southern Idaho to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Known for its strong Mormon heritage, the city offers an interesting mix of history, culture and striking mountain scenery.

On arrival, we take in views of the State Capitol Building and historic Temple Square, home to the six-spired Salt Lake Temple and the domed Tabernacle, associated with the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, before continuing to our hotel. This evening, you may wish to dine at The Roof Restaurant, known for its generous buffet and views over the Salt Lake Valley and Temple Square.

Salt Lake City - Canyonlands National Park - Dead horse State Park - Moab. Heading south this morning, we pass through Provo, home to Brigham Young University, on our way to Canyonlands National Park. Here, the Colorado River and its tributaries have carved a vast landscape of canyons, mesas and buttes over millions of years.

The park is divided into four districts - Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. We visit some of the most scenic viewpoints in the Island in the Sky district, where sandstone cliffs rise more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Afterwards, we continue to Moab for our overnight stay.

Moab - Arches National Park - Moab. Today we visit Arches National Park, one of Utah’s Mighty 5. This extraordinary red rock landscape is known for its remarkable colours, textures and formations.

With more than 2,000 natural stone arches, as well as soaring pinnacles and balanced rocks, the park offers some of the most distinctive scenery in the American Southwest. It is a place that surprises at every turn and leaves a lasting impression.

Your guided tour ends after check-out from the hotel. Please make your way on foot to the train station for your scheduled departure if you are continuing your journey with Canyon Spirit, formerly Rocky Mountaineer. This rail journey is not included and can be arranged independently.