DAY 1 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30: Independent arrivals in Denver and hotel check-in at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown Denver. Welcome to Denver cocktail party in the evening at 7:00PM in the Sheraton Hotel lounge.
Check-in at the Sheraton Denver Hotel.
DAY 2 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1: (D) In the morning we pay a visit to the famous Colorado Railroad Museum located in nearby Golden. This is the most extensive railroad museum in Colorado and has many fine pieces of railroad history and displays.
COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM
After our visit we travel to the historic mining town of Georgetown, called Colorado's Victorian Village. The first settlers came to the Georgetown area in 1859 and were members of a mining party that decided to settle in the area. On January 28, 1868 the Territorial Legislature passed a law incorporating the "Town of Georgetown". Also the Georgetown Loop Railroad brings Colorado history to life in a fun adventure for everyone. The beauty of the rugged Rocky Mountains surrounds you, as an old-time steam locomotive or one of the powerful diesel locomotives winds up the Clear Creek canyon passing the remains of several gold and silver mines. After our train ride we continue on to Leadville by highway and check-in at the historic Delaware Hotel which was built in 1886. We will have our "Welcome Dinner" at this classic hotel.
HISTORIC GEORGETOWN
GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILROAD
Historic Hotel Delaware in Leadville, Colorado
DAY 3 SUNDAY OCTOBER 2: (B-L) We will have the morning hours to explore colorful downtown Leadville. The Leadville, Colorado area could be said to be the center of Colorado's history. Fortunes were made from the rich mineral deposits of the area, and legends were built from the colorful people who made Leadville their home. The local mining history began in 1860 with the discovery of gold. Soon there after silver and other minerals were discovered. By 1880 Leadville had more than 30,000 residents and more than 100 saloons, dance halls, gambling joints and brothels. But, in 1893 the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act spelled ruin for many living in Leadville. Mining continued with Zinc, lead and copper until 1918 with the opening of the massive Climax Molybdenum Mine north of Leadville. In 1941 the US Army started training troops for winter survival and skiing for WW II. Not only is Leadville the highest incorporated city in the U.S., it is also one of Colorado's largest historic districts. This town is a National Historic Landmark District consisting of over 70 square blocks, and was designated by Congress in 1966. It's a beautiful and interesting area for a short walk anytime of year. This historic mining town is tucked away in a magnificent alpine valley at the base of the state's highest peak.
HISTORIC LEADVILLE, COLORADO
After exploring downtown Leadville we all board the 10AM train for a run up into the high country to a little mining area called "Climax". The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad takes passengers along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern lines to the Continental Divide. This journey is full of breath-taking panoramas across the Arkansas River Valley and through the untamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest. Enjoy humorous narratives about Leadville's colorful past, like legends such as Molly Brown, Baby Doe Tabor and Doc Holiday.
LEADVILLE, COLORADO & SOUTHERN RAILROAD
Early afternoon, we depart from Leadville by highway and head southeast traveling through beautiful Rocky Mountain countryside including Trout Creek Pass and Wilkerson Pass.
As we make our way to the mining town of Cripple Creek, we pass unique Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide, and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado. Almost 35 million years ago, enormous volcanic eruptions buried the then-lush valley and petrified the redwood trees that grew there.
FLORRISSANT FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
THE MINING TOWN OF CRIPPLE CREEK
After exploring this historic mining town we all jump onboard the steam train for a four mile roundtrip on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad , which will reveal scenic wonders around every curve as century-old steam locomotive transports us back to the colorful gold mining days. The views from this train are breathtaking of the Rocky Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains . After our visit to Cripple Creek we travel to Colorado Springs and check-in at the Quality Inn Garden of the Gods.
CRIPPLE CREEK & VICTOR NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
Quality Inn Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado
DAY 4 MONDAY OCTOBER 3: (CB) In the morning we first visit Garden of the Gods rock formations near Colorado Springs before boarding the cog railcars on the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway for the steep 3 ¼ hour climb to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,110 feet. This is the highest cog railway in the World. If it is a clear day you can see for hundreds of miles in all directions. We will have 40 minutes at the Summit to take photos, explore and have a snack or hot drink at the café before we start down the mountain. Once back at the base station, we you will have plenty of time to explore historic Manitou Springs before returning to the Quality Inn for a 2nd nights stay
GARDEN OF THE GODS WITH VIEWS OF PIKES PEAK
 
MANITOU AND PIKES PEAK COG RAILWAY
Downtown Manitou Springs
DAY 5 TUESDAY OCTOBER 4: (CB-L) In the morning we travel from Colorado Springs to Canon City, gateway to the spectacular Royal Gorge. Here we will board the 9:30AM excursion train on the Royal Gorge Railroad for a 24 mile roundtrip through this 1000 foot deep gorge running along the Arkansas River. Upon arrival back in Canon City you will have time to walk across the World's highest suspension bridge that hangs 1053 feet above the Arkansas River. This bridge was built in 1929 spanning the Royal Gorge. We then make our way west to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Black Canyon is unique in the respect that for hundreds of years early explorers avoided it because of the ruggedness. The Rio Grande tried to build a railroad in this canyon and gave up and ran the line around the canyon. At the upper reaches of this canyon the National Park Service has the Cimarron Rail Exhibit. This is the location where the Rio Grande ran it's rails out of the Black Canyon because continuing down the canyon was impossible. One of the original rail bridges is still in place and the National Park Service has place a steam locomotive, box car and caboose on this truss bridge. Then just several hundred feet up river is the Morrow Point Dam towering 469 above the river. For many miles we will travel along the scenic Blue Mesa Reservoir on the Gunnison River. Late afternoon arrival in Montrose and check-in at the Holiday Inn Express.
THE ROYAL GORGE RAILROAD
FROM THE RIM LOOKING DOWN INTO THE GORGE
BLUE MESA RESERVOIR NEAR THE BLACK CANYON
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
CIMARRON RAIL EXHIBIT IN THE CANYON
AND MORROW POINT LAKE
DAY 6 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5: (CB) Morning visit to Ridgway, birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and now home to the Ridgway Railroad Museum. This museum is preserving railroad equipment, artifacts, historical data, books and photographs of railroading in Ouray County and the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
Just a few miles south of Ridgway is the delightful town of Ouray. This small intimate community is nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies. Set at the narrow head of a valley and surrounded on three sides with 13,000 feet snowcapped peaks - Ouray has been eloquently nicknamed the "Switzerland of America." In 1873, the famous Ute Chief, Ouray, signed a government treaty releasing the Ute's treasured San Juan Mountains to encroaching settlers. The town, officially incorporated in 1876, was named in his honor. By 1888, the town would celebrate the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
OURAY, COLORADO
After our visit to Ouray, we continue south for a ride on what is called the "Million Dollar Highway", which runs out of Ouray for 12 miles and up into the rugged Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass, at 11,018 feet. This stretch through the gorge is spectacular with it's steep cliffs and lanes cut directly into the sides of mountains as the elevation is gained to reach the summit. During this ascent, the remains of the massive Idarado Mine are visible along with many other mines on the mountainside. The origin of the name "Million Dollar Highway" is disputed. There are several legends of its origin from "it cost a million dollars a mile" to build in the 1920's to it contains "a million dollars" in gold ore, in the fill dirt. The original portion of the Million Dollar Highway was a toll road built in 1883 to connect Ouray and Ironton. We continue south down into the wild west town of Silverton, stepping back in time to 1860 as several prospectors entered the area in search of wealth. All too soon Silverton was laid out and become the center of the numerous mining camps in 1879. In 1882 the first train entered the valley and by 1883 Silverton had a population of 2000 with 400 buildings and 32 saloons. By the 1940's most of the action had left town as the mines slowly were closed. The town saw a rebirth in the 1950's as movie sets for Hollywood. You will have time to explore this famous town before boarding the "Silverton" steam train for the run to Durango.
SPECTACULAR SCENERY ALONG THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY
THE WILD WEST MINING TOWN OF SILVERTON
The famous Silverton narrow gauge steam train entered Silverton in 1882, and then was operated by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. For the past 124 years this line has been in continuous operation using vintage steam locomotives and rolling stock. Your journey southbound will take you through the remote Animas River Canyon to Durango, a distance of 45 miles. Upon arrival in Durango, check-in at the Hotel Strater in the historic downtown area. This hotel was built in 1887 and is listed in the "Historic Hotels of America". Evening at your own leisure to explore Durango.
YOUR JOURNEY ONBOARD THE FAMOUS "SILVERTON" STEAM
TRAIN WILL TAKE US FROM SILVERTON TO DURANGO.
DAY 7 THURSDAY OCTOBER 6: (CB) Morning hours to explore Durango. We next visit Mesa Verde National Park which has the best preserved natural Indian ruins from the Anasazi Tribe in North America. After our visit we then travel to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and hotel check-in at the High Country Lodge.
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Beautiful scenery in the Pagosa Springs area
In Pagosa Springs we stay at the High Country Inn
DAY 8 FRIDAY OCTOBER 7: (CB-L) In the morning we travel from Pagosa Springs, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico which will take 1 hour. Here we board the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic railroad for the steep climb from Chama, New Mexico up to Cumbres Pass and on to Antonito, Colorado. Built 128 years ago and little changed since, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a fully operational steam railroad jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. This railroad is recognized around the world for its spectacular scenery and unspoiled vistas, as well as the historic rolling stock and railroad structures that are preserved on the line. This is America's highest narrow gauge railroad reaching Cumbres Summit at 10,015 feet. Once in Antonito, we transfer by highway to Alamosa. Upon arrival in Alamosa check-in at the Inn of the Rio Grande.
CUMBRES & TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD IN
NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO
PART OF THE VAST RIO GRANDE NARROW GAUGE SYSTEM
DAY 9 SATURDAY OCTOBER 8: (L) The steam pulled San Luis Express leaves daily at 9:00 a.m. from historic Alamosa and winds through country ranging from agricultural flatlands, to colorful foothills , to cliff-sided mountains - much of it inaccessible by motor vehicle - on its way to the charming town of La Veta. Departing from La Veta, we pay a visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is the newest national park in the country joining 57 other parks in September 2004. Located on the eastern side of the remote, high-mountain San Luis Valley, these dunes are the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes cover approximately 39 square miles and rise to almost 750' above the valley floor.
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
We now travel by highway southeast towards Trinidad via the Cucharas Pass highway at 9,941 feet , which is called The Highway of Legends. As we make our way through this extreme southern finger of the Rocky Mountains we pass through Trinidad Lake State Park and on into the city of Trinidad. Upon arrival check in at the La Quinta Inn Trinidad.
CUCHARAS PASS AREA IN SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO
DAY 10 SUNDAY OCTOBER 9: (CB) Today, you will be onboard Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Trinidad, Colorado to Winslow, Arizona, a distance of 567 miles over the famous Raton Pass: then into Apache Canyon in Northern New Mexico before arrival in Albuquerque, in which you can detrain and stretch your legs or take photos. Departing this area the train will race west towards Gallup and on into Arizona passing through the heart of Navajo county. Departure from Trinidad is scheduled for 9:50AM with an arrival in Winslow at 8:50PM. The Southwest Chief has full dining car service for both lunch and dinner. Located next to the former Santa Fe Winslow Depot is the historic La Posada Hotel, a former Santa Fe Railway Fred Harvey property.
ONBOARD THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF
The story of this famous hotel begins with Fred Harvey, who "civilized the west" by introducing linen, silverware, china, crystal, and impeccable service to railroad travel. (He was so legendary that MGM made a movie called The Harvey Girls starring Judy Garland.) Harvey developed and ran all the hotels and restaurants of the Santa Fe Railway, eventually controlling a hospitality empire that spanned the continent. In the 1920s, Harvey decided to build a major hotel in the center of northern Arizona. "La Posada"-the Resting Place-was to be the finest in the Southwest. They chose Winslow, the Arizona headquarters for the Santa Fe Railway.. Each room at La Posada is unique. Furnishings range from Mexican rustic to fine antiques and include many original pieces. Other features include hammered tin or tile mirrors, wrought-iron lamps, and writing tables or desks. South-facing rooms offer views of the Santa Fe trains; other rooms overlook the cottonwood grove and main lawn the Secret Garden, or Route 66.
THE LA POSADA HOTEL IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA
AN ORIGINAL FRED HARVEY HOUSE
DAY 11 MONDAY OCTOBER 10: (L) We say good-bye to the La Pasada Hotel and backtrack some 40 miles east to Petrified Forest National Park. This National Park, in northern Arizona was created to preserve the mineralized remains of Mesozoic Forests commonly known as the "Petrified Forest.". This park is really two parks in one, the Painted Desert at the North end and the Rainbow Forest at the South end. The park covers over 93,533 acres and consists of six separate "forests" That took over 200 million years to form.
PETRIFIED FOREST AND THE PAINTED DESERT NATIONAL PARK
Our next point of interest is Meteor Crater, which was created 50,000 years ago. Hurtling at about 26,000 miles per hour this meteor was on a intercept course with Earth. In a blinding flash a huge meteorite estimated to have been 150 feet across struck the earth with an explosive force greater than 20 million tons of TNT. In less than a few seconds a crater 700 feet deep and over 4000 feet across was carved. The center of the crater is filled with 700-800 ft of rubble lying above crater bedrock. Meteor Crater is the best preserved impact site on Earth.
METEOR CRATER IN ARIZONA
We continue west to Flagstaff , and then travel south through spectacular Oak Creek Canyon which is about 12 miles long and ranges in width from 0.8 to 2.5 miles . The depth of the canyon ranges from 800-2,000 feet. This canyon will lead us to the breathtaking Sedona area. Hotel check-in at the King Ransom Inn, and afternoon and evening to explore the town.
OAK CREEK CANYON AND SEDONA, ARIZONA
Kings Ransom Inn , Sedona, Arizona
DAY 12 TUESDAY OCTOBER 11: (B-L) This morning we take a short drive from Sedona to the historic Jerome Ghost Town State Park and Museum. This old mining and railroad town is racked full of railroad history and the museum has some wonderful displays of the mining industry and the railroads that served the area. We then travel to nearby Clarksdale, to board the Verde Canyon Railroad excursion train for the run into remote Verde Canyon and return. This is a four hour train trip. Our train returns to Clarksdale, at 5 :00pm where we will transfer back to our hotel in nearby Sedona for a 2nd nights lodging.
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JEROME-CALLED THE WICKEDEST
TOWN IN THE WILD WEST |
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DAY 13 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12: (B) We depart Sedona in the morning for a return drive through spectacular Oak Creek Canyon and then on to Williams to board Grand Canyon Railroad's 10:00AM train headed north for the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The train arrives at the rim is at 12:15PM and you will then have plenty of time to explore the breathtaking views of the canyon. We will depart from the South Rim by highway and head around the east side of The Grand Canyon to Cameron and check-in at the Cameron Trading Post Lodge.
THE GRAND CANYON RAILROAD
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
CAMERON TRADING POST AND LODGE
Great Indian crafts and blankets are at the Cameron Trading Post
DAY 14 THURSDAY OCTOBER 13: (L) We depart from The Cameron Trading Post Lodge at 8:00AM this morning and head north toward Utah. We have a lot to show you today before arrival and check-in at the Holiday Inn Express in Kanab, Utah.
LAKE POWELL AND GLEN CANYON DAM
On October 15, 1956, the first blast occurred and the construction of Glen Canyon Dam was officially underway. Before that date, the site was virtually inaccessible and construction crews were forced to drive 200 miles to cross from one side of Glen Canyon to the other. By 1960 concrete placement had began and continued night and day until the final bucket was dumped three years later. A bucket held 24 tons of damp concrete and it took over 400,000 of them to build the dam. Over five million cubic yards of concrete make up the dam and power plant. Next, turbines and generators were installed from 1963 to 1966. The dam was dedicated by Ladybird Johnson on September 22, 1966. It took 17 years for Lake Powell to completely fill for the first time.
ANTELOPE CANYON ON THE NAVAJO NATION
Antelope Canyon is one of the most breathtaking and tranquil places on earth. Gently carved from the Navajo sandstone over the course of countless millenniums, the slot canyons are majestic and narrow passages, just enough space for a small group to walk the sandy floor - and for the occasional shafts of sunlight to shine down from above. it is really two separate canyons - Upper and Lower Antelope. Each contains the hidden "slots" carved from the swirling sandstone, and both drain from the south into Lake Powell (once the Colorado River). The canyons are so narrow in places that one can stretch out his or her arms and touch both sides. Upper Antelope is at about 4,000 feet elevation and the canyon walls rise 120 feet above the streambed. We will be visiting this section of the canyon. The guided tour is 90 minutes.
MARBLE CANYON AND NAVAJO BRIDGE
Marble Canyon is the section of the Colorado River canyon in northern Arizona from Lee's Ferry to the confluence with the Little Colorado River which marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon. Lee's Ferry is a common launching point for river runners starting their journey through the Grand Canyon. This canyon marks the western boundary of the Navajo Nation. In 1975, the former Marble Canyon National Monument was made part of Grand Canyon National Park.
VERMILION CLIFFS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The 3,000-foot escarpment of the Vermilion Cliffs reveals seven major geologic formations in layer-cake fashion. This remote, unspoiled 294,000-acre national monument is a geologic treasure of towering cliffs, deep canyons, and spectacular sandstone formations, containing the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes and Paria Canyon. Elevations range from 3,100 to 6,500 feet.
Mother nature has gone wild in some locations in this park
Holiday Inn Express in Kanab, Utah
DAY 15 FRIDAY OCTOBER 14: (CB) Morning departure from Kanab, Utah by highway for the one hour drive to Zion National Park. We will spend the morning hours in Zion, exploring this spectacular park. It is one breathtaking view after another; and even more so in the fall colors. By early afternoon we will be on our way to Bryce National Park, but we will make a small detour over to see Cedar Breaks National Monument, first. Then just a few miles before we enter Bryce, we will drive through Red Canyon. We want to have you at Bryce a couple of hours before sunset, as this is the most spectacular time of the day to visit. Overnight lodging at the Best Western Ruby's Inn at Bryce.
ZION NATIONAL PARK
CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
RED CANYON
BRYCE NATIONAL PARK
VISIT AT SUNSET
Best Western Ruby's Inn at Bryce National Park
DAY 16 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15: (L) Early morning, we take a drive around Bryce National Park for those folks that would like to take more photos of rock formations in the morning sun. You will have the option to sleep in if you like, and when we return to the hotel, you may then check out. For those tour members staying at the hotel within walking distance are many handiwork and rock shops to visit. Once we check-out we drive in an easterly direction through Grand Escalante National Monument and then into Capitol Reef National Park to view the sunset. Hotel check-in at the Best Western Capitol Reef Resort .
BRYCE NATIONAL PARK
OUR VISIT DURING THE MORNING HOURS
GRAND ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
As we make our way through the Grand Escalante National Monument and Dixie National Forest with the many aspens in full fall colors we enter Capitol Reef National Park.
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
OUR VISIT AT SUNSET
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
OUR VISIT IN THE MORNING
DAY 17 SUNDAY OCTOBER 16: (L) We will have a brief morning visit to Capitol Reef National Park as the shadows on the rock formations are very different morning light. We then swing into a southward direction towards Glen Canyon National Recreation Area crossing over the Colorado River and Lake Powell near Hite, Utah. As we continue south we enter White Canyon in Canyon Rims Recreation Area before arriving at Natural Bridges National Monument.
GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
LAKE POWELL AND THE COLORADO RIVER
NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT
We depart from Natural Bridges National Monument, mid- afternoon for our last leg of today's journey. We have some surprises for you before we call it a day. A few years ago our rail tours manager discovered by accident a very remote and breathtaking area north of Monument Valley called "Valley of the Gods" This is a remote area and is spectacular. Located off the beaten track where very few tourist visit . The best time to visit is late afternoon when the shadows of the rock formations stretch across the valley. After our visit we drive south to Monument Valley on the Utah-Arizona border where we want to be located to watch the sunset and the breathtaking views of Monument Valley with the shadows. Hotel check-in at The View Hotel overlooking the valley.
VALLEY OF THE GODS
The View Hotel and Restaurant in Monument Valley Tribal Park
This is the view of Monument Valley at sunset right from your hotel room balcony
DAY 18 MONDAY OCTOBER 17: This morning we take you on a 20 mile circle drive to see the most spectacular areas of The Navajo Nation's Monument Valley Tribal Park. After our visit we then travel north back into Utah, with a stop at the Goosenecks State Park where the San Juan River makes a number of gooseneck bends. We continue northward to Canyonlands National Park. This is a large park that is spread out over many miles. The roads going into the canyons are mostly jeep only trails. There are several viewing areas for the general public which has paved roads. This afternoon we will visit two viewing areas in the southern part of this national Park. The first area we will visit is The Needles District. The second area is The Needles Overlook which is over a 1000 feet above the valley floor. We will watch the sunset from here. From this location it is less than an hours drive into Moab, Utah for hotel check-in at the Best Western Canyonlands Inn located in downtown within walking distance of restaurants and the many shops.
MONUMENT VALLEY TRIBAL NATIONAL PARK
GOOSENECKS STATE PARK
SATALITE VIEW |
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CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
THE NEEDLES DISTRICT
The above three photos taken from the Needles Overlook
Best Western Canyonlands Inn located in downtown Moab, Utah
DAY 19 TUESDAY OCTOBER 18: (B-D) We spend the morning hours in Arches National Park before returning to Moab for lunch and a chance to explore the town and visit the many interesting handicraft shops. In the afternoon we will first visit Dead Horse State Park and Dead Horse Overlook towering 2000 feet above the Colorado River. Next we will go back into Canyonlands National Park for a visit to the Island in the Sky District and the spectacular Grand View Point Overlook. Late afternoon we return to our hotel in Moab to freshen up before we host our "Farewell Dinner" at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the town.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
DEAD HORSE STATE PARK
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
ISLAND IN THE SKY DISTRICT
DAY 20 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19: (B) Morning transfer from Moab to Green River, Utah to catch the train. Green River is only 46 miles away. We will ride Amtrak's California Zephyr from Green River, Utah to Denver, Colorado. The eastbound Zephyr is due in Green River at 8:39AM . Once onboard, and all settled in your seat; you can enjoy the Book Cliffs. As the train heads east and joins the Colorado River; the scenery changes. For the next 25 miles, the train follows the Colorado River closely in remote Ruby Canyon before entering the wide Grand Valley. While in Ruby Canyon, the train will enter Colorado. There will be a 30 minute station stop at Grand Junction, before continuing eastward. Once the train departs Grand Junction it enters the De Beque Canyon, location of the famed Western Colorado fruit growing area and the oil shale development project plus a number of Uranium mines. Do not forget to go to the dining car for lunch. The Zephyr's next stop is at the resort of Glenwood Springs, gateway to the Colorado Rockies at 12:52PM. We next enter the massive and rugged Glenwood Canyon with it's towering rock cliffs reaching thousands of feet above the train. As the train swings north onto the Dotsero Cutoff we enter Red Canyon with strange rock formations that look like Buddhist Temples. Next is the narrow Little Gore Canyon and Big Gore Canyon, before entering Byers Canyon and then Granby at 4:00PM. Granby is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park. All too soon, we enter into the 6.2 mile long Moffat Tunnel; which will take us under the lofty crest of James Peak and the Continental Divide. When we come out of the tunnel the train will be on the east slope of the Rockies and heading down towards Denver. You might want to get some dinner in the dining car as the train now must run through 28 tunnels and above the rugged South Boulder Canyon to reach Plainview. From here you will be able to see the lights of Denver far below. On a clear evening you can see into Kansas. The train arrives in Denver at 7:18PM. Our tour will end upon arrival in Denver. We have had a number of requests from our clients to continue onboard Amtrak's California Zephyr to Chicago. If you are planning on doing this please contact us as we can arrange your travel Denver to Chicago either in coach or sleeper.
ONBOARD THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR
Looking down on the rail line running through Ruby Canyon.
PRICES PRICES ARE PER PERSON
Double room occupancy................................$5698
Single room supplement...............................$ 998
Deposit to hold space confirmed......................$ 500
Final payment due by July 1, 2011
For special shorter options contact us for custom prices
TOUR INCLUDES
*22 MEALS
*FULLY ESCORTED
*12 TRAIN RIDES
*10 NATIONAL PARKS
*4 RAILROAD MUSEUMS
*VISIT THE NAJAVO NATION
*8 HISTORIC MINING TOWNS
*RIDE THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF
*RIDE THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR
*RIDE BEHIND STEAM-ELECTRIC-DIESEL
*8 STATE PARKS AND NATIONAL MONUMENTS
*VISIT COLORADO-NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA-UTAH
*THIS TOUR IS PACKED FULL OF SCENIC WONDERS
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TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS
TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are corrected to November 1, 2010 and are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room
occupancy. We reserve the right to change tour prices if necessary.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: Personal items, meals not listed in the itinerary, laundry, phone calls, excess baggage charges, rental cars, side tours, insurance, passport fees including visas, vaccinations, gratuities, medical costs, tips to train or motor coach staff, extra tour costs due to unanticipated changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond our control, including weather, travel conditions, or cancellations, government intervention, sickness, political disputes, and failure of transportation or other causes beyond our control.
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the right to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, onboard accommodations, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip or train prior to departure for any reason . TTI is not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour, including non-refundable airline tickets, visa fees, planning, phone calls, or any other expenses. TTI reserves the right to decline to accept, or ask to leave a tour, any person whose actions impede the daily operations of a tour, welfare or enjoyment of other tour members. TTI cannot give any refunds for any unused services. The terms contained herein shall serve as a waiver of liability to TTI. Assumption of risk on behalf of the client, their heirs, executor, administrators, successors, and assigns for any and all known persons injuries
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receive an invoice, reservation form and current tour bulletins with your confirmation and travel insurance forms. No notice for final payment will be sent
to you. It is your responsible to make the final payment on-time.
CANCELLATIONS: TTI does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, email or fax before any refunds will be considered. Allow enough time if sending your written notice by US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel
office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to to process some refunds. Cancellation refund rules:
100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $100 per person administration fee. 99 to 61 days before the departure of any tour
there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Cancellations received 60 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive
any refund. GW Travel Ltd has their own cancellation rules and these will apply. If booking on GW Travel Ltd ask for cancellation rules.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on tours operated by TTI. Bulletins include travel info related to the tour. Final documents will be sent out about two to three weeks before a tour begins. We offer tours operated by other companies and they may
or may not send out tour bulletins and updates and most send out final documents only one to two weeks prior to the start of their tours.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card.
We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 per week will apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate if one is available. If not, you may
be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held
responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TTI needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a
full refund. Please take note that in some cases refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and
we will try and work up a custom option for you.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note that TTI does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all folks that enjoy trains and
Rail journeys. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that
you would want to book a tour is to collect the rare mileage, you need to understand that possible route changes do happen.
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05389 visits since September 27, 2010.
Last modified: Thursday, 12-Jan-2012 08:19:49 PST
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