2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (NCS)

11 Day Tour from Denver to Denver

2027 Tour Details

All aboard for a rail journey through the scenic American West. This adventure showcases Colorado's striking landscapes with rides on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the canyons of the San Juan Mountains and the Georgetown Loop Railroad high in the Rocky Mountains. Along the way, visit Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, discover Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient cliff dwellings, explore Bandelier National Monument, and visit the famed pilgrimage site of Chimayó. Train enthusiasts will also enjoy time at Durango's D&SNG Railway Museum.

In New Mexico, experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, where hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons fill the sky during the Mass Ascension, Balloon Glow, evening fireworks, and other signature events. PLUS, this tour includes your choice of excursions in Colorado Springs so you can plan your day your way.

Special features included in this tour:

• Globus Choice excursion in Colorado Springs - included in your tour, your choice of the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak or visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
• Visit Garden of the Gods Park, known for its towering red sandstone formations and views of Pikes Peak
• Attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, including the Opening Ceremonies and Mass Ascension, when hundreds of colorful balloons fill the morning sky
• Return to the Balloon Fiesta at night for the Balloon Glow and Fireworks show
• Travel the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, linking historic mining communities between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
• Guided sightseeing in Santa Fe, including [LF] Santuário de Chimayo, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Southwest
• Visit to Bandelier National Monument to explore ancient cliff dwellings and archaeological sites, and enjoy guided sightseeing in Taos
• Discover Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its remarkably preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings
• Guided tour of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, showcasing the history of one of America's most famous railways
• Ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad and Georgetown Loop Railroad through spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery
• Fall Foliage departures: September 29 and October 6 (Mother Nature permitting).


Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta map
National Park Tours – National Park Foundation

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinner


Notes:

Enjoy spectacular fall colors on our Fall Foliage departures: September 29 and October 6 (Mother Nature permitting).

Guests should be prepared for sustained walking and standing.

Hot air balloon rides must be arranged by the guest at their own risk and are not protected by Globus family of brands travel insurance. Balloon rides should be scheduled on Day 2 of the tour. Refunds are not provided for missed sightseeing scheduled in conflict with a guest’s extra-curricular balloon ride. Balloon Fiesta schedule of events is subject to change and will be confirmed on tour.

Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions. Order of sightseeing subject to change.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN DENVER, COLORADO

Welcome to Colorado! At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Denver earns its Mile-High City nickname with an elevation of 5,280 feet. As the gateway to the Rockies, it's a perfect place to unwind while taking in sunset views of Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) and enjoying a local IPA or coffee. Ask your Tour Director for recommendations on the best spots to eat and explore in LoDo (lower downtown) and beyond.

DENVER-STATE-CAPITOL-BUILDING.jpg

Day 2 DENVER–COLORADO SPRINGS

Spend Your Day Your Way in Colorado Springs Depart on a scenic drive south to Colorado Springs. Discover the unique heritage of the Pikes Peak region and Colorado Springs on an orientation tour and enjoy free time for lunch in the historic downtown. This afternoon, explore more of Colorado Springs with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.

GOING FOR GOLD
GOING FOR GOLD
Experience an immersive look into the training of the greatest athletes in America and rich Olympic history with a visit to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Discover interactive exhibits, innovative displays and an impressive artifact collection on Team USA.
AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN
AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN
Take a ride on the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a memorable experience on the oldest cog railway in the world. Travel from Manitou Springs to the summit that inspired the song, America the Beautiful, for panoramic views of rich forests, canyons, and snow-capped mountains.

Enjoy dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

PIKES-PEAK-COLORADO-SPRINGS.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 3 COLORADO SPRINGS–ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

The Land of Enchantment Explore Garden of the Gods Park, a National Natural Landmark, featuring 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snowcapped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. Depart Colorado Springs and travel south into New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment,” to visit Albuquerque – home of the annual Balloon Fiesta. Enjoy free time this evening before an early morning adventure tomorrow!

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
What began as a gathering of enthusiasts with just 13 hot-air balloons more than 50 years ago has grown into the largest ballooning event in the world – the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This tradition has grown to an annual event drawing people from around the world to witness hundreds of brightly hued hot-air balloons ascend at once over the landscape of New Mexico. Truly enchanting!

ALBUQUERQUE-PEPPERS.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 ALBUQUERQUE

Up, Up & Away! Get ready for the world-famous Balloon Fiesta! Experience this morning’s pre-dawn Opening Ceremonies and the unforgettable Mass Balloon Ascension. See Old Town Albuquerque and enjoy free time before marveling at the popular Balloon Glow and Fireworks show this evening.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Attend the uplifting opening ceremonies and mass balloon ascension where more than five hundred hot-air balloons lift off and turn the sky into a virtual rainbow of designs. Leading the ascension is a balloon adorned with the American flag, rising off the ground to the national anthem.

ALBUQUERQUE-BALLOONFIESTA.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 ALBUQUERQUE–SANTA FE

The American Southwest Travel via the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway to the charming city of Santa Fe. Visit the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture to explore the history and contemporary life of the Indigenous cultures of the Southwest. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Santa Fe.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Experience the rich history and culture of Santa Fe, home to an abundance of art galleries showcasing everything from traditional Indigenous and Spanish Colonial works to contemporary masterpieces inspired by the landscapes of the Southwest.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more with free time in Santa Fe. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

SANTA-FE-STREET-SCENE.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 SANTA FE. EXCURSION TO BANDELIER NATIONAL PARK & TAOS

Ancient Cultures Depart Santa Fe and explore the ancient Anasazi Puebloans, their cliff dwellings, and the museum at Bandelier National Monument. Visit the adobe town of Taos for free time to discover the culturally rich downtown at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Return to Santa Fe for free time to explore on your own.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore the age-old dwellings of Bandelier National Monument Envision the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people while gazing across mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and thousands of archaeological sites scattered throughout 33,000 acres of protected wilderness. Bandelier's human history is traced to over 11,000 years ago when nomadic hunter-gatherers followed migrating wildlife across the land. By 1150 AD, Ancestral Pueblo people began to build more permanent settlements.


BANDELIER-NATIONAL-MONUMENT.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 7 SANTA FE–CHIMAYO –DURANGO, COLORADO

Enchanted Jewels Begin with a captivating visit to nearby Chimayo, founded in the 17th century by Spanish settlers. Enjoy lunch in a century-old adobe home at Rancho de Chimayo for outstanding New Mexican cuisine. This afternoon, explore Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Santuário De Chimayo and learn of the miraculous healing powers that still attract thousands of pilgrims each year.

Continue into Colorado for Durango, a town born in the Gold Rush and silver-mining era. Tonight, spend time browsing the many shops on Main Street or enjoy a cold pint at one of the city’s local breweries.

LOCAL FAVORITE
Experience the spiritual traditions of the American Southwest in Chimayó. This historic community is home to El Santuario de Chimayó, a revered pilgrimage site where visitors come to learn about its history and the sacred soil long associated with healing traditions. For generations, people from across the region and around the world have journeyed here seeking reflection, inspiration, and spiritual connection.

CHIMAYO.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 DURANGO. EXCURSION TO MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK

Stone Houses Today, visit Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Durango for a guided tour of the D&SNG Railway Museum with free time to explore the exhibits, including an extensive model train layout. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Durango, where modern Southwestern cuisine meets classic Old West flavors.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Discover Mesa Verde National Park’s remarkable cliff dwellings, including Spruce Tree House, one of the best-preserved in the United States. Continue to the museum to learn about the people who once lived on this 8,000-foot plateau, then stop at a scenic viewpoint for photos of Cliff Palace, one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan dwellings.

MESA-VERDE.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 9 DURANGO–NARROW-GAUGE RAILROAD–SILVERTON–GLENWOOD SPRINGS

All Aboard in Durango! Board the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest from Durango to Silverton. Continue to Glenwood Springs for an overnight stay at the historic Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Hotel Colorado.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Board the legendary Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad steam train as it hugs steep canyon walls to wind its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon. Arrive in Silverton, a National Historic Landmark District that flourished during Colorado's mining boom and retains much of its Old West character today.

LOCAL FAVORITE
Enjoy a stay at the historic Hotel Colorado in beautiful Glenwood Springs. This elegant Rocky Mountain retreat near the town’s famous hot springs has been a welcomed respite for travelers for more than 125 years. Special guests President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown have enjoyed the gracious accommodations in the heart of the Colorado Rockies; its storied history also includes time as a naval hospital in the 1940s and a playground for notorious characters such as the Chicago gangsters during the Roaring Twenties.

DURANGO-SILVERTON-TRAIN.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 GLENWOOD SPRINGS–GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILROAD–DENVER

Making Tracks in the Old West Travel through the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains to historic Georgetown for a scenic ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Continue east to Denver, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Climb aboard the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad and be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Rockies. Envision the golden age of rail travel as you roll past groves of aspen, pine, and fir while taking in sweeping vistas of Clear Creek Canyon.

GEORGETOWN-LOOP-TRAIN.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 11 DENVER

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more in Denver? Additional nights are available for purchase.

DENVER.jpg

Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ANDREW MORAN

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Born in Salisbury, England, I left England at the age of nine and ended up in Los Angeles. Some of my hobbies include travel, flying (I have my license to fly small, single-engine planes), gardening (growing my own fruits and veggies is awesome), and landscaping (it gives me a chance to learn about different trees and plants). My advice to travelers is to come with an open mind and look forward to learning new things. What makes other places so special is that they're not home!”

Tour Director - ANDREW MORAN

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN

AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN

Take a ride on the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a memorable experience on the oldest cog railway in the world. Travel from Manitou Springs to the summit that inspired the song, America the Beautiful, for panoramic views of rich forests, canyons, and snow-capped mountains.

Price Range: $

GOING FOR GOLD

GOING FOR GOLD

Experience an immersive look into the training of the greatest athletes in America and rich Olympic history with a visit to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Discover interactive exhibits, innovative displays and an impressive artifact collection on Team USA.

Price Range: $



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.