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Denver · Colorado · United States
7-Day Journey Through the Historic Railroads of the Old West
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From $3,799.00 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Colorado has one of the largest collections of historic railroads, including many powered by good ‘ol-fashioned steam engines. This tour will take you to four of those railroads, plus more classic Colorado points of interest. This tour starts and ends in Denver and passes through the iconic Rocky Mountains, including its branch range, the colorful San Juans. It was the extensive mining activity in the late 1800s that created the need to build these classic railroads through very rugged mountain terrain. The engineering required to get those heavy iron horses and their cargo over these mountain grades is unbelievable. Going on this tour, you’ll experience for yourself what it is like to ride the railroads of the Old West. This tour is also a great introduction to seeing the stunning Rocky Mountains.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Georgetown Loop Railroad
- Jeep tour through the San Juan Mountains
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Royal Gorge Route Railroad
- Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Denver
Arrive at the Denver Airport today and transfer on your own by taxi or Uber to your Denver hotel. If interested, enjoy the train ride from Denver Airport to Union Station in Denver, CO. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for check-in between 3 and 6 PM, to answer any questions you have and prepare for the following morning. The evening is free to explore the downtown area and have dinner on your own.
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Hotel
Day 2
Colorado Springs
Sightseeing at Pikes Peak. Begin your day with a drive along the Front Range to Colorado Springs. Your first stop will be a historic and scenic ride on the world’s highest Cog Railroad, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Travel from 6,300 ft to just over 14,000 ft above sea level and experience the sweeping 360-degree views, vistas, and natural beauty of the Pikes Peak region, which has drawn generations of explorers and travelers. With its newly renovated train cars, tracks, and visitor center, this is a fantastic train to start your journey!
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Denver
Once finished, you will have a bit of free time to explore historic Manitou Springs before traveling down to Canon City for a welcome dinner and some free time to explore for the evening.
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Day 3
Denver
Start the day with a delicious catered breakfast aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, one of Colorado’s most iconic scenic train rides. Enjoy made-to-order breakfast entrees from the fresh grill menu, plus a fully stocked bar with specialty drinks, beer, and wine. Relax at your table or step into an open-air car for fresh mountain air and unforgettable scenery.
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Canon City
Trains at Royal Gorge Bridge. Travel through the spectacular Royal Gorge as the tracks follow the winding Arkansas River deep below towering 1,000-foot granite cliffs—a route that has amazed travelers since 1879. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt famously called it “the trip that bankrupts the English language!” You’ll ride in the Vista Dome car, featuring glass-topped dome seating for panoramic views of the canyon and river.
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Meal: Lunch
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Leadville
Trains. After lunch en route, continue your Colorado rail adventure with the Leadville Railroad, a fun and relaxing Rocky Mountain scenic train ride that climbs into the heart of Colorado’s high country. At 10,152 feet, you’ll take in sweeping mountain views and breathe in crisp alpine air. Along the way, learn about Leadville’s rich mining history and legendary characters like the Tabors, Molly Brown, and Doc Holliday. It’s a quintessential way to experience the Colorado high country in comfort and style. Your seating will be in the Lounge Car, which is fully enclosed and heated when needed. An attendant is typically available to help with drinks and snacks available for purchase onboard. Lounge seating includes booth-style tables that accommodate groups of four, plus two-person tables—ideal for couples and friends traveling together.
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Sightseeing. The final leg of today’s journey takes us to Alamosa, Colorado, with beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Great Sand Dunes National Park. The dunes here have been shifting for eons—an epic natural landscape spanning 30 square miles, with the tallest dunes rising to about 750 feet. It’s a stunning area to take in as the sun drops toward the horizon. After arriving in Alamosa, you’ll have the evening free to relax, unwind, and relive the day’s unforgettable rail experiences.
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Day 4
Denver
Trains. Today is a full-day ride aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in the Deluxe Cars. Often described as one of the most beautiful train rides in America, this rugged, narrow-gauge, coal-fired, steam-powered railroad travels 64 miles through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Rockies. As you climb through an unspoiled mountain landscape, you’ll pass historic railroad structures dating back to the early 1900s. Take in sweeping views as the locomotive rolls through tunnels, crosses high trestles, and skirts deep gorges on its way over Cumbres Pass. Along the route, the train zig-zags between the Colorado and New Mexico border, delivering nonstop photo-worthy vistas.
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Midway through the journey, we’ll stop for lunch at the historic Osier Dining Hall.
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Durango
Leisure. Your rail adventure ends in Chama, New Mexico. From there, we’ll drive through the southern end of the San Juan Mountains to Durango, Colorado. This evening is yours to enjoy Durango’s historic downtown, great local dining, and relaxed mountain-town atmosphere.
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Meal: Dinner
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Hotel
Day 5
Denver
Trains. This morning’s ride is one you won’t soon forget. Step back in time aboard a historic train bound for Silverton, Colorado, a National Historic Landmark known for its rich western history. Travel through the breathtaking Animas River Valley in Deluxe Class seating aboard the San Juan car, a beautifully restored railcar that captures the craftsmanship and charm of early 20th-century rail travel in the American West. Designed for a comfortable journey through rugged mountain terrain, the San Juan car pairs classic character with modern comfort. Along the way, enjoy some of the railroad’s most iconic highlights, including Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge, and the dramatic Animas River Gorge. You’ll also experience unforgettable views from the High Line, one of the most scenic stretches of track in the region.
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Day 6
Ouray County
Sightseeing. Midday: Free Time in Silverton + Lunch on Your Own After arriving in Silverton, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch at one of the town’s historic restaurants and take in the atmosphere of this classic Colorado mining town. Afternoon: Jeep Tour Over Corkscrew Pass and the Red Mountains Next, continue the adventure with a three-hour Jeep tour over Corkscrew Pass, climbing above 12,000 feet into the Red Mountains. Ride alongside steep mountain cliffs and historic mining trails, where the high alpine air and vivid red-and-gold landscapes create truly striking scenery. Evening: Explore Ouray + Dinner and Optional Hot Springs After the Jeep tour, you’ll have time to explore Ouray’s unique historic downtown, stretch your legs, and enjoy the town’s mountain charm. Dinner is on your own this evening, and if you’d like, you may choose to soak in the hot springs for a relaxing end to an unforgettable day.
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Day 7
Denver
Depart Ouray and enjoy a scenic road tour through the Rocky Mountains as we travel across Colorado’s Western Slope, over the Continental Divide, and onward to the Front Range for our final rail experience. Along the way, take in wide-open mountain vistas, changing landscapes, and classic Colorado scenery.
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We’ll also stop for a great lunch at a favorite local spot.
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Sightseeing. Afternoon: Georgetown, Colorado + Georgetown Loop Railroad and Lebanon Silver Mine Tour This afternoon, arrive in historic Georgetown, Colorado (8,500 feet). Once called the “Silver Queen of Colorado,” Georgetown boomed after major silver deposits were discovered here in 1864. From Georgetown, board the Georgetown Loop Railroad, an old-time narrow-gauge steam train that climbs the canyon past the remains of gold and silver mines. The open-car train runs between Georgetown and Silver Plume, just over two miles apart, but the rugged mountain terrain makes for an impressive engineering feat. Along the 3.1 miles of track, you’ll cross trestles and navigate curves, cuts, fills, and loops with beautiful views throughout the ride. At the end of the line, continue with a guided tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine. You’ll travel about 500 feet into a mine tunnel originally bored in the 1870s while your guide points out veins of silver and shares stories of early-day mining life. The mine stays a constant 44°F year-round, so be sure to bring a jacket. The tour also includes visits to the manager’s office, the miners’ change room, and the tool shed. Late Afternoon: Return to Denver Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to Denver, Colorado, wrapping up a memorable final day of mountain scenery, rail history, and Colorado mining heritage.
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Denver
Say farewell to Colorado as you head over to Denver International Airport using the hotel's complimentary shuttle. Safe travels and enjoy your flight home.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Services of a Southwest Adventure Tours tour director – a professional tour guide Comfortable transportation in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Entrance fees to attractions and activities listed in the itinerary Georgetown Loop Railroad Jeep tour through the San Juan Mountains Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Royal Gorge Route Railroad Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Leadville Railroad Pikes Peak Cog Railway Park entrance fees Gratuities for included meals and activities Applicable taxes and fees
Not Included
Airfare Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.) Meals (other than listed in the itinerary) Optional activities Arrival airport transfer (departure is included) Gratuities for the tour director
What to Bring
Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for about a mile at a time. Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 and 300 feet in the areas visited in this tour. Touring and overnight locations are above 6,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. De-board and board the van/bus each time at a viewpoint. Please let us know if you have any other physical/health limitations or requirements.
Meeting & Pickup
Arrival Location: Denver International Airport (DEN) Arrival Time: Any time on Day 1 Departure Location: Denver International Airport (DEN) Departure Time: Any time on Day 7
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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