Historic Trains of the Old West (NC)

9 Day Tour from Denver to Denver

2025 Tour Details View 2024 Tour Details »

If the closest thing to time travel is train travel, then you’ll love riding the rails into the unspoiled scenic past of Colorado. This off-the-beaten path tour of the U.S. West is just the ticket to chug through the untamed beauty of the Royal Gorge aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railway; through the magnificent mesas and canyons of San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad; and through the rugged splendor of the Rockies aboard the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad. You’ll also pick up steam with visits to Colorado Spring’s Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings, Chimayo’s famous pilgrimage site, and Glenwood Spring’s historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt’s. Train buffs will also enjoy time in Durango’s D&SNG Railway Museum. All aboard!

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Globus 2021 North America tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus North America tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Notes:

Add 2 days in Albuquerque for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Available only on the tour NCS on October 1st & 8th.

Enjoy spectacular fall colors on our Fall Foliage departures: September 8th & 10th (Mother Nature permitting).

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN DENVER, COLORADO

Welcome to Colorado! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains is the perfect place to kick back with a view of the sunset over Mount Evans while enjoying a local IPA or Colorado coffee after dinner. Ask your Tour Director for the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.

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Day 2 DENVER–ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROAD–COLORADO SPRINGS

All Aboard the Royal Gorge! Depart on a scenic drive south to the Royal Gorge for a unique experience on the spectacular Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Later, travel to Colorado Springs to explore Garden of The Gods, featuring 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snowcapped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE When President Teddy Roosevelt rode the rails through the Royal Gorge in 1905, he described the experience as “the trip that bankrupts the English language.” You’ll be speechless too on this train ride through the breathtaking scenery of the Royal Gorge as it cuts a deep path through the Rockies along the Arkansas River.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 3 COLORADO SPRINGS–SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

The American Southwest Depart Colorado Springs and head south into New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment,” to the charming city of Santa Fe.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Experience the rich history and richer culture of Santa Fe - home to an abundance of art galleries amid its diverse visual arts scene of ancient traditional art to modern contemporary works that celebrate the desert beauty of this ruggedly beautiful landscape.

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Breakfast

Day 4 SANTA FE. EXCURSION TO CHIMAYO

Enchanted Jewels Today, begin with a captivating glimpse into the diversity of folk art from around the world. The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe allows you to explore a vast collection of traditional textiles, ceramics, paintings, and other unique objects that showcase the rich cultural heritage of different regions and communities. We then visit nearby Chimayo, which was founded in the 17th century by Spanish settlers. Enjoy lunch at the Rancho de Chimayo, located in a century-old adobe home, serving some of the best New Mexican cuisine. Visit Santuario De Chimayo and learn about the miraculous healing powers that still attract thousands of pilgrims each year. Return to Santa Fe, where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORY & HERITAGE Experience the spiritual traditions of the American Southwest in Chimayo. This historic area attracts locals and guests alike who visit its church sanctuary, which holds sacred soil known for its healing powers. Experience this legendary, authentic New Mexican tradition!

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 5 SANTA FE–BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT–TAOS–DURANGO

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

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Explore the age-old dwellings of Bandelier National Monument. Envision a way of life long since passed to gaze at mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and several thousand ancestral Pueblo dwellings sharing 33,000 acres of designated 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. This incredible site is inspiring as the Pueblo blessing: “Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth.”

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Breakfast

Day 6 DURANGO. EXCURSION TO MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK

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 see the exhibits including an extensive model train layout.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT DWELLINGS See Spruce Tree House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that depicts the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot ancient plateau (now Mesa Verde National Park). Stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace (one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings).

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Breakfast

Day 7 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. Continue to Glenwood Springs for an overnight stay at the historic Hotel Colorado.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE 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, once a major mining town that owes its name to the bragging statement by an early miner: “We have no gold, but silver by the ton!”

LOCAL FAVORITE
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy a stay at the historic Hotel Colorado in beautiful Glenwood Springs. This elegant Rocky Mountain retreat has been a welcomed respite for travelers for more than 125 years where special guests like President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown have enjoyed its gracious accommodations and service in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.

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Breakfast

Day 8 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
EPIC RIDE Climb aboard the historic Georgetown Railroad to be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Rockies. Envision the old railroad days as you roll through stunning views of aspen trees, pines, and firs with views of Clear Creek Canyon.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 9 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.

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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!”

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)

No Excursions are available at this time.

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.

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