“All aboard” the rail adventure of a lifetime! Travel back to the Old West and the days of the “Iron Horse” set against the awe inspiring backdrop of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. You’ll journey on five vintage trains over high mountain passes and through breathtaking gorges. Along the way, see history come to life with stops at an old stagecoach town, a mining camp, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum. Plus, spend free time exploring the renowned Vail Mountain Resort. This is a “must-do” epic adventure for nostalgia and train buffs alike!
- Scenic mountain rail adventures on Royal Gorge, Cumbres & Toltec, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge, and Georgetown Loop Railroads; optional ride on Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Marvel at North America’s tallest dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
- Enjoy a leisurely day in the western town of Durango
- Mesa Verde National Park Option
- Guided tour of Garden of the Gods
- Pioneer and Native American tales by Leon Joseph Littlebird
DAY 1: WELCOME TO COLORADO!
Begin your adventure with a flight to Denver for dinner and an overnight stay. D
DAY 2: GEORGETOWN LOOP R.R./MOUNTAIN TALES
Your day begins in charming Georgetown, which started as a mining camp in 1859, you’ll experience your first rail adventure aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge line that forms a grand loop high in the Rocky Mountains. After a delicious lunch in town, storyteller Leon Joseph Littlebird will perform tales of mountain life and indigenous music. Continue on to our hotel in Grand Junction. B, L
DAY 3: DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
See Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is part of a deep, steep-walled gorge carved through Precambrian rock by the Gunnison River. Then hop aboard the 1880s-era coal-fired, steam-powered locomotives from Silverton to Durango following the same track miners, cowboys, and settlers did over a century ago. Gaze in awe while chugging through portions of the magnificent two million acres of remote wilderness that make up the San Juan National Forest! B, D
DAY 4: DURANGO YOUR WAY
Enjoy a leisurely day in the western town of Durango, founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. You may choose to explore this historic downtown on a walking tour, stroll the Animas River trail, browse the shops, or take an exciting optional excursion. B
Option—Mesa Verde National Park Travel deep into Mesa Verde National Park to learn about Anasazi Indians. Lunch Included; Price $85 per person.
Option—Chuckwagon Supper and Performance Join us this evening for a Chuckwagon Supper and performance of music and songs of the old west cowboys, comedy and lively instrumentals by the Bar D Wranglers. Dinner Included; Price $45 per person.
DAY 5: CUMBRES & TOLTEC RAILROAD
Return to the exciting days of the Frontier West aboard this stately steam engine the moment it blows its horn! Relax in your comfortable coach or open-air observation car during an unforgettable journey from Chama to Antonito, located in the San Juan Mountains, at an elevation of 10,022 ft. Midway enjoy a delicious lunch stop in the small mining town of Osier before heading to Alamosa. B, L
DAY 6: GREAT SAND DUNES N.P./ROYAL GORGE RAILROAD
Marvel at North America’s tallest dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. This afternoon, visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park suspended 1,000 feet above the gorge. As you cross the bridge, look down below to the bottom of the gorge which you’ll see up close and personal this evening aboard “North America’s most scenic railroad” - the world-famous Royal Gorge Route! From the comfort of the train, enjoy a delicious dinner, fabulous scenery, and wildlife. This classic, old-time diesel engine chugs along the Arkansas River and winds its way through the steep granite cliffs of the gorge. B, L, D
DAY 7: PIKES PEAK
Travel towards Colorado Springs in time for lunch in the magical town of Manitou Springs, home to nine mineral springs fed by the snows of Pikes Peak. Many native Americans considered this area sacred—and you’ll see why. B, L, D
Option—Pikes Peak Cog Railway If you’re feeling extra adventurous, sign up for a thrilling 8,000-foot ascent to the top of majestic Pikes Peak (14,110 ft.), taking in miles of mountainous scenery along the way. Price: $85 per person.
DAY 8: GARDEN OF THE GODS
This morning we visit the stunning Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. This 1,367-acre park at the base of Pikes Peak is where the Great Plains meet the Rockies—and is like a little piece of heaven! You’ll be amazed by the abundance of plant and animal life here, as well as the magnificent red sandstone formations. Afterwards, return to Denver as you say goodbye to new friends and take home with you happy railroading memories! B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Hyatt Place Airport, Denver
Night 2: Hampton Inn Downtown, Grand Junction
Nights 3-4: Holiday Inn Express, Durango
Night 5: Hampton Inn, Alamosa
Night 6: Holiday Inn Express, Canon City
Night 7: Hyatt Place Colorado Springs
Dates:
- Departure: September 14, 2025
- Return: September 21, 2025
Price Per Person:
- Double $3,199
- Triple/Quad $2999
- Single $3,829
*Includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI (call for other gateway cities)
Option—Mesa Verde National Park Travel deep into Mesa Verde National Park to learn about Anasazi Indians. L Price: $85 per person.
Option—Chuckwagon Supper and Performance Join us this evening for a Chuckwagon Supper and performance of music and songs of the old west cowboys, comedy and lively instrumentals by the Bar D Wranglers. D Price: $45 per person.
Option—Pikes Peak Cog Railway If you’re feeling extra adventurous, sign up for a thrilling 8,000-foot ascent to the top of majestic Pikes Peak (14,110 ft.), taking in miles of mountainous scenery along the way. Price: $85 per person.
Walking Distance
Moderate walking is required to fully enjoy this tour. Some walking will be on uneven paths and there are large steps to get on and off the trains. While walking canes are allowed, we are unable to accommodate travelers using other mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs.
Average Temps
July – high of 85°, low of 58°
August – high of 82°, low of 56°
September – high of 75°, low of 48°
Time Zone
Mountain
Hotel Amenities
Each hotel has a hair dryer, iron, ironing boards, and a coffee maker. All hotels offer an exercise room and swimming pool.
Itinerary Note
We are featuring four trains on this tour. You can find the duration of those train rides below:
- Georgetown Loop Railroad – 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad – 5 hours with a break for lunch at Osier
- Royal Gorge Route Railroad – 2 hours
Elevations on this tour can reach 5,000 to 14,100 feet at Pikes Peak. If you are prone to altitude sickness, you may want to book a pre-night stay to fully acclimate. Cooler weather can also prevail at higher elevations (such as at Pikes Peak). We recommend drinking extra water before the tour to help prepare your body for these elevations.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
