Red Rocks to the Rockies by Rail

Day 1 – Viva Las Vegas!

We set off from our departure points this morning onboard a deluxe motorcoach and travel to Las Vegas. Later this afternoon we’ll arrive at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, the upscale resort located in the heart of the Las Vegas “Strip” adjacent to Wynn, Encore, Venetian and Pallazo. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 2 – Zion National Park

This morning we’ll travel north through the spectacular Virgin River Gorge and the colorful mesas of Utah’s “Dixie Country” to Zion National Park, featuring a dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs. We’ll board the Zion Canyon Shuttle and continue into Zion Canyon – an incredible slot canyon that is 15 miles long and up to 2,640 feet deep. As we travel along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, we’ll marvel at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. This afternoon we’ll continue north along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway – one of the most awe-inspiring drives in all of America. We’ll travel through the historic 5,000 foot long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and through Zion’s Checkerboard Mesa. This evening, we’ll check into our hotel located just outside Bryce Canyon National Park (elevation 8,000 feet) and enjoy an included chuckwagon dinner and live music at Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Bryce National Park, Moab

This morning we’ll enter Bryce Canyon National Park and follow Rim Drive to several viewpoints to admire the thousands of red, orange, and white “hoodoos” that resemble castles, temples and even whole cities sculptured in stone! The vividly-colored towering columns, narrow fins, and natural bridges seem to deny all reason or explanation. This afternoon we continue east to Moab, located in the heart of Utah’s “Canyon Country” on the cool waters of the Colorado River. We’ll begin a two-night stay at a hotel adjacent to the Colorado River. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park

This morning we’ll join a local guide and explore Canyonlands National Park – the largest national park in Utah, its diversity staggers the imagination. We’ll enjoy an included picnic lunch and explore the “Island in the Sky District,” making several stops to admire the spectacular views. We continue to Dead Horse Point State Park, providing one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. This evening we’ll enjoy an included cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner overlooking the Colorado River and then board a slow moving, flat-bottomed boat for a leisurely cruise on a calm part of the Colorado River with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Once darkness settles in, 40,000 watts of light will illuminate the canyon walls above us. Lights, shadows, music, and narration allow the stories of the canyon’s formation, creation, and history come to life in a spectacular and original evening program that Canyonlands by Night has operated since 1963. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 – Arches National Park, Rocky Mountaineer Train

We’ll join a local guide this morning and visit Arches National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. We’ll make several stops to admire the spectacular red arches and other geological formations including colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires. This afternoon we’ll board the famed Rocky Mountaineer and enjoy Silver Leaf Class seating with spacious reclining seats and oversized glass-dome windows. Enjoy breathtaking views of the beautiful red rock formations, desert cliffs and mountain vistas of the American Southwest as we follow the scenic Colorado River eastward. We’ll travel through Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and Ruby Canyon and then pass Mount Garfield, the highest point of the Book Cliffs. Enjoy an included, regionally-inspired three-course dinner while taking in the scenic views of De Beque Canyon, Parachute Creek and Mount Logan. We’ll sip on a signature cocktail as we arrive in the historic resort town of Glenwood Springs for an overnight hotel stay. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Rocky Mountaineer Train, Denver

This morning, we’ll reboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Glenwood Springs and enjoy a hot breakfast while we continue to follow the Colorado River through the dense, wooded forests and white-capped mountains of White River National Forest, the captivating Byers and Gore Canyons and the rivers and mountain lakes of Arapahoe National Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as pronghorn sheep, deer, and eagles and enjoy a three-course lunch while our onboard host shares stories about the regions we’re traveling through. Celebrate our crossing of the Continental Divide with a sparkling wine toast and then travel through 6.3 mile long Moffatt Tunnel, past Big Ten Curve and Gross Reservoir Dam prior to arriving in Denver this evening. We’ll reboard our motorcoach and travel to our Denver area hotel to begin a two-night stay. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 – Rocky Mountain National Park

This morning we’ll join a local guide and travel to Rocky Mountain National Park, a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet on the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, the park is filled with breathtaking scenery and experiences. We’ll travel along the highest paved road in the United States for breathtaking views of magnificent snow-capped peaks, plunging valleys, and the potential for waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife. As we ascend to the rooftop of the Rockies via the Trail Ridge Road, we’ll reach an elevation of over 12,000 feet! Along our route we’ll pass the Estes Park resort area, Grand Lake and glacial-formed Lake Grandby. Enjoy an included picnic lunch along our journey. We return to Denver this evening with an included farewell dinner at a locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 – Denver, Journey Home

We’ll travel to the Denver Airport this morning for an included, non-stop return flight arriving in Los Angeles this afternoon. Back in L.A., we’ll board a motorcoach and continue to our departure points with fond memories of our journey from the Red Rocks to the Rockies by Rail. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.