DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN DENVER - COLORADO SPRINGS
Arrive in Denver by 1:00pm. (*Please arrive at the Denver Airport before 1:00pm) After a brief check-in with your tour director, enjoy your first taste of adventures to come as you board our motorcoach and travel south to Colorado Springs. Enjoy touring of the US Air Force Academy. Situated in the shadow of the mountains and overlooking the open spaces of the western plains, the academy is famous for its architecturally unique chapel. Next, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Drury Inn, Colorado Springs, CO (D)

DAY 2 – PIKES PEAK COUNTRY
Today is devoted to sightseeing around Colorado Springs. First, you will ride on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway that climbs to the top of Pikes Peak. Looking at this famous peak, rising 12,110 feet above sea level, you will understand the meaning of "Rocky Mountain High!" Next, continue to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post and enjoy a sumptuous lunch and some time to shop. This afternoon, continue sightseeing and tour Garden of the Gods. An abundance of plant and animal life can be found throughout its 1,340 acres, as well as the magnificent red sandstone rock formations, for which the Garden is best known. Return to your hotel with some time to freshen up, and then be our guests for a special evening of western hospitality and entertainment at the famous Flying W Ranch outdoor cookout. Drury Inn, Colorado Springs, CO (B,L,D)

DAY 3– ROYAL GORGE – ALAMOSA
Pack up your bags, partner, because today you're off! This morning board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for a vintage train ride along the legendary Arkansas River deep within the Gorge. Upon arrival at Royal Gorge Park & Bridge, where the world's highest suspension bridge towers 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River, leave the train behind and ride the country’s steepest incline railway 1,500 feet up to the canyon rim. Here you will have time to walk out on the bridge and explore other sights in the park. Next, travel to the historic rail town of Salida for a delicious home style lunch. This afternoon visit Great Sand Dunes National Park for sightseeing, then arrive in Alamosa for a one night stay. Holiday Inn Express, Alamosa, CO (B,L,D)

DAY 4 – CUMBRES and TOLTEC SCENIC RAILWAY
This morning, "all aboard" the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, considered the finest remaining example of a once vast network of narrow gauge lines linking together the Rocky Mountain Mining Camps. This unique railroad has been called by author Lucius Beebe, "the most awesomely spectacular example of mountain railroading in North America." Leave Antonito, Colorado and travel to Osier where you’ll disembark and enjoy lunch; then re-board your motorcoach and travel to the old west mining town of Durango for a two night stay. BW Rio Grande Inn, Durango, CO (CB,L)

DAY 5 – MESA VERDE
After breakfast, travel to nearby Mesa Verde National Park for a day of exploration. Here you will visit cliff dwellings where the mysterious Anasazi once lived. Known as the "Ancient Ones" to the Navajo, the Anasazi lived in the Four Corners area almost a thousand years ago, then suddenly disappeared - leaving their incredibly well-preserved dwellings to intrigue and challenge modern man. This is the nation’s largest archeological preserve with 4,000 sights including 600 cliff dwellings. Spend some time in the Visitors Center with its large collection of ancient artifacts for an introduction to the ancient culture. A local expert will guide you through the most famous ruin sites with a stop at the Spruce Tree House Restaurant for lunch on own. After a fascinating tour of the park, return to Durango with the rest of the day free to explore this fun western town on your own. BW Rio Grande Inn, Durango, CO (B)

DAY 6 – DURANGO & SILVERTON RAILROAD
This morning, ride the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one of the last such railroads operating in the United States. "All aboard!" for a delightful trip through the Colorado Rockies between Durango and Silverton. The rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and crystal lakes take you back to the early days of the West when mountain men searched this untouched land for traces of bear and mountain lion. Upon arrival in Silverton, enjoy some free time to explore the many shops and have lunch on your own. Meet our motorcoach for a scenic drive north to Grand Junction. This evening see the fantastic monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Over the centuries, wind and water have carved sheer, walled canyons, spires, and gorges from the brilliant orange and red sandstone. Overnight in Grand Junction and enjoy dinner this evening at the hotel.
Grand Vista Hotel, Grand Junction, CO (B,D)

DAY 7 – GRAND JUNCTION – DENVER
Depart and travel east for a ride through the Heart of the Rockies enjoying vistas of rugged canyons, pristine wilderness, and deep gorges. Cross the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass as we travel east descending once again into the "Mile High City" of Denver. Before checking into our hotel, we’ll stop at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. This museum’s mission is to acquire, preserve and exhibit railroad equipment, artifacts, and photographs emphasizing Rocky Mountain area railroads. You’ll learn about the history of this region from the 1860’s to present. What a great end to our Colorado Train Vacation. This afternoon, check into your hotel and freshen up but don't wander too far because tonight you will rejoin your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner. Renaissance Denver Hotel, Denver, CO (B,D)

DAY 8 – JOURNEY HOME
Say farewell to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. A morning transfer to the airport has been arranged for your journey home.
(B)

Tour Includes:
7 nights accommodations
Transportation by motorcoach
Services of a professional Western Leisure tour director
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Entrance fees to attractions, National Parks and Monument as mentioned in itinerary
Tips for included meals
Luggage handling (1 suitcase per person)