The Colorado Rockies featuring National Parks and Historic Trains
Experience the majesty of the Colorado Rockies, three national parks and two historic trains that celebrate the can-do spirit of the Old West. Marvel at the steep, dramatic majesty of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Journey aboard the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog railroad, for an 8.9-mile trip to the top of Pike’s Peak. Climb aboard an 1881 steam train for a journey through the San Juan Mountains. Drive through the ancient culture of the Ancestral Puebloans at Mesa Verde National Park (UNESCO). Enjoy an authentic farm-to-table dinner on a 450-acre, family-owned ranch. From towering peaks to deep canyons and Old West towns to dynamic cities, a region of contrasting beauty and charm awaits.
Experience the majesty of the Colorado Rockies, three national parks and two historic trains that celebrate the can-do spirit of the Old West. Marvel at the steep, dramatic majesty of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Journey aboard the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog railroad, for an 8.9-mile trip to the top of Pike’s Peak. Climb aboard an 1881 steam train for a journey through the San Juan Mountains. Drive through the ancient culture of the Ancestral Puebloans at Mesa Verde National Park (UNESCO). Enjoy an authentic farm-to-table dinner on a 450-acre, family-owned ranch. From towering peaks to deep canyons and Old West towns to dynamic cities, a region of contrasting beauty and charm awaits.
Highlights
- Established in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and features mountain views, mountain lakes and a variety of wildlife. The park is dominated by Longs Peak. Each year thousands of people attempt to scale this 14,259-foot peak, one of Colorado's "fourteeners." The park is also visited hikers and rock climbers.
- Located on desert land on the Colorado Plateau, the Colorado National Monument hosts a variety of wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, ravens, desert bighorn sheep and coyotes. The area was first explored by John Otto in the early 20th century, when many residents believed the canyons to be inaccessible to humans. The park was then established on May 24, 1911. Today, many come to hike, horseback ride, bicycle and take scenic drives through the park.
- The Durango & Silverton Railroad has run continuously since 1881. The line was constructed to haul silver & gold ore from the San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious. This historic train has been in continuous operation for 131 years, carrying passengers behind vintage steam locomotives. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
- Mesa Verde National Park is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park was created in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt to protect cliff dwellings, which are structures built within caves and under outcroppings in the cliff. Today, visitors come to see some of the park features, which include ruins of homes and villages built by the Ancient Pueblo people, the Anasazi.
- The cogs railway is the world’s highest cog train that climbs to 14,115 feet. Since 1891, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been taking thousands of people to the summit of Pikes Peak. Today, visitors travel the cog railway to view the panoramic view of Pikes Peak and the Colorado Springs.
Hotels
- Grand Hyatt — Denver, CO
- DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Junction Hotel — Grand Junction, CO
- Strater Hotel — Durango, CO
- Embassy Suites by Hilton — Colorado Springs, CO
Details
- Tour Operator
- Collette
- Start City
- Denver, CO
- End City
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Duration (Days)
- 9
- Activity Level
- Level 2
What's Included
- 12 meals included
- Established in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and features mountain views, mountain lakes and a variety of wildlife. The park is dominated by Longs Peak. Each year thousands of people attempt to scale this 14,259-foot peak, one of Colorado's "fourteeners." The park is also visited hikers and rock climbers.
- Located on desert land on the Colorado Plateau, the Colorado National Monument hosts a variety of wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, ravens, desert bighorn sheep and coyotes. The area was first explored by John Otto in the early 20th century, when many residents believed the canyons to be inaccessible to humans. The park was then established on May 24, 1911. Today, many come to hike, horseback ride, bicycle and take scenic drives through the park.
- The Durango & Silverton Railroad has run continuously since 1881. The line was constructed to haul silver & gold ore from the San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious. This historic train has been in continuous operation for 131 years, carrying passengers behind vintage steam locomotives. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
- Mesa Verde National Park is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park was created in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt to protect cliff dwellings, which are structures built within caves and under outcroppings in the cliff. Today, visitors come to see some of the park features, which include ruins of homes and villages built by the Ancient Pueblo people, the Anasazi.
- The cogs railway is the world’s highest cog train that climbs to 14,115 feet. Since 1891, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been taking thousands of people to the summit of Pikes Peak. Today, visitors travel the cog railway to view the panoramic view of Pikes Peak and the Colorado Springs.
Pricing
| Option | Price | Departure | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | USD 3,599.00 | 2026-05-08 | |
| Single | USD 4,599.00 | 2026-05-08 | |
| Triple | USD 3,549.00 | 2026-05-08 | |
| Double | USD 3,699.00 | 2026-06-05 | |
| Single | USD 4,699.00 | 2026-06-05 | |
| Triple | USD 3,649.00 | 2026-06-05 | |
| Double | USD 3,699.00 | 2026-06-19 | |
| Single | USD 4,699.00 | 2026-06-19 | |
| Triple | USD 3,649.00 | 2026-06-19 | |
| Double | USD 3,699.00 | 2026-07-10 | |
| Single | USD 4,699.00 | 2026-07-10 | |
| Triple | USD 3,649.00 | 2026-07-10 | |
| Double | USD 3,699.00 | 2026-07-17 | |
| Single | USD 4,699.00 | 2026-07-17 | |
| Triple | USD 3,649.00 | 2026-07-17 | |
| Double | USD 3,599.00 | 2026-08-14 | |
| Single | USD 4,599.00 | 2026-08-14 | |
| Triple | USD 3,549.00 | 2026-08-14 | |
| Double | USD 3,599.00 | 2026-08-21 | |
| Single | USD 4,599.00 | 2026-08-21 | |
| Triple | USD 3,549.00 | 2026-08-21 | |
| Double | USD 3,799.00 | 2026-09-04 | |
| Single | USD 4,799.00 | 2026-09-04 | |
| Triple | USD 3,749.00 | 2026-09-04 | |
| Double | USD 3,799.00 | 2026-09-05 | |
| Single | USD 4,799.00 | 2026-09-05 | |
| Triple | USD 3,749.00 | 2026-09-05 | |
| Double | USD 3,799.00 | 2026-09-11 | |
| Single | USD 4,799.00 | 2026-09-11 | |
| Triple | USD 3,749.00 | 2026-09-11 | |
| Double | USD 3,799.00 | 2026-09-18 | |
| Single | USD 4,799.00 | 2026-09-18 | |
| Triple | USD 3,749.00 | 2026-09-18 | |
| Double | USD 3,799.00 | 2026-09-25 | |
| Single | USD 4,799.00 | 2026-09-25 | |
| Triple | USD 3,749.00 | 2026-09-25 |
Itinerary
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Day 1: Denver, Colorado
Adventure awaits as you explore the towering peaks and rolling meadows of Colorado. As travelers' arrival times vary greatly, we have no group activities planned during the day. This tour (which features four national parks) opens in the “Mile High City” of Denver where you will gather for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.
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Day 2: Denver - Rocky Mountain National Park - Denver
Travel through Boulder, a scenic university town known for its iconic landmark... the striking, reddish-brown foothills known as the Flatirons. Stop in Estes Park, a mountain resort town and home of the Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Your adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park starts on the Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved, continuous highway in North America. It’s a drive that should be on everybody’s bucket list. At Rainbow Curve, marvel at the majestic mountains that stand in contrast to deep, rugged canyons. Later, return to Denver for a free evening in this dynamic city.
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Day 3: Denver - Colorado National Monument - Grand Junction
The spectacular Rocky Mountains are your traveling companion. Make a scenic drive from Denver to Grand Junction, passing through many of Colorado’s famous ski resorts. This journey also takes you to one of the grand landscapes of the American West – Colorado National Monument. Continue along the monument's historic Rim Rock Drive to see a colorful panorama of deep, sheer-sided canyons and high rock towers. Gather for dinner at a favorite local hangout in Grand Junction, a town that attracts outdoorsmen, foodies and all manner of free spirits.
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Day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Grand Junction
Today, venture to another amazing national park – Colorado’s own “Grand Canyon!" Marvel at the steep-walled gorge and dramatic views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park while travelling along its South Rim. Pause at one of the scenic viewpoints to soak in this stunning wilderness of rock, water, and sky. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking some of the steepest and oldest rock walls in North America, carved over 2 million years by the Gunnison River. Perhaps you’ll even spot a peregrine falcon. Then, it's your choice! Travel back in time to the Museum of the Mountain West dedicated to the history and culture of the American West -OR- tour a local hop farm and learn about hop farming on a small scale from field to preservation and enjoy tastings of craft beer made using hops from the farm. Return to Grand Junction for an evening at leisure.
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Day 5: Grand Junction - Silverton - Durango
Head south to Silverton, a former silver mining town and now a National Historic Landmark. Hidden high in the San Juan Mountains, this town blends spectacular scenery, Victorian charm and historic architecture. Then it's “all aboard” the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This 1881 coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive made its name hauling silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains, but you will soon realize it is the view that is its most precious asset.
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Day 6: Durango - Mesa Verde National Park - Durango
An incredible day awaits in Mesa Verde National Park (UNESCO), home of the ancient Ancestral Puebloan civilization. Join a local guide on a drive through the park, making several photo stops, including views of the famous Spruce Tree House, one of Mesa Verde’s best-preserved cliff dwellings, and Cliff Palace, the largest in the park. This evening, experience a farm-to-table dinner on a family-owned ranch surrounded by red mountain peaks and lush green pastures.
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Day 7: Durango - Colorado Springs
Sit back and relax during a scenic ride to Colorado Springs. En route, marvel at the landscape as you make your way from the San Juan National Forest and across Wolf Creek Pass, a section of the Continental Divide that would take pioneers two to three weeks to cross. Continue on through the Rio Grande National Forest, a vast expanse of wilderness named for the 1,800 miles of Rio Grande River that cuts through the forest. Your day concludes in Colorado Springs, an artistic and cultural hub.
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Day 8: Colorado Springs - Manitou Springs - Colorado Springs
Depart for Manitou Springs, home of Pikes Peak – the legendary symbol of the 1859 Gold Rush. Embark on a journey aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog railroad, for an 8.9 mile trip to the top of Pikes Peak. During the journey you will see magnificent views and perhaps animals in their native habitat. Later, travel to the Garden of the Gods to take in the view of towering sandstone formations that dot the landscape set in the backdrop of majestic Pikes Peak. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and celebrate your adventure.
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Day 9: Colorado Springs - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close in Colorado Springs.