Las Vegas & Railroads of the Wild West 2012 

We depart London on our flight to Denver in Colorado, nicknamed the 'Mile High City' as it is at an altitude of exactly one mile above sea level. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for two nights, the Warwick Hotel, located just a short walk from the city centre.

This morning we enjoy an introductory sightseeing tour of Denver. We take in sights including the impressive State Capitol building with its large gold dome, and Larimer Square - the city's oldest street, complete with a number of Victorian buildings. Your afternoon is free for you to continue exploring. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is well worth a visit; otherwise, perhaps head "downtown", a bustling area centred on a mile-long promenade lined with cafés and shops, all complemented with dramatic mountain views.

Today we take a coach to Manitou Springs, where we join the world's highest cog railway. Pike's Peak Cog Railway takes us past waterfalls and through some other truly magnificent scenery as we make our way to the summit at 14,110ft (4,302m). After time to admire the view from the top, we make our descent and continue to the Garden of the Gods, a beautiful park with spectacular formations of red sandstone rock. Later we travel to Colorado Springs, where we stay for two nights at the Academy Hotel, nestled in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

We travel to Cañon City today, to join the heritage Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Travelling in restored 1950s carriages, we embark on a marvellous journey through the stunning Royal Gorge, heading alongside the wild Arkansas River on what is widely considered to be the best-known section of the former Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Our route takes us under the Royal Gorge Bridge, which, at 1,053ft (321m), is the highest suspension bridge in the world. We return to Colorado Springs, where you are free to explore.

This morning we leave Colorado Springs, and travel by coach to Durango. Our route takes us southwards through Colorado, skirting the Great Sand Dunes National Park before continuing on past the edge of the Rio Grande National Forest. We arrive in Durango, where our base for two nights is the Downtown Inn. The town retains its Wild West look, with many beautifully restored buildings, a vintage narrow-gauge railway, station and museum. After checking in to the hotel the rest of your day is at leisure to explore at your own pace.

Today we head to the preserved Durango & Silverton Railroad, which is recognised as a National Historic Landmark. Here we enjoy a wonderful narrow-gauge steam hauled journey, making our way through the pretty Animas Valley. Following the course of the Animas River, we pass huddles of lush aspen trees and the wilderness of the San Juan Forest. We arrive in Silverton, a charming town nestled in the San Juan Mountains. Set 9,305 ft (2,836m) above sea level, Silverton is one of the highest towns in America, and here you have time to admire the Victorian architecture and relax in one of the pretty pavement cafés before our return journey.

Familiar from a hundred westerns, the dramatic, rugged landscape of Utah's Monument Valley is one of America's defining images, and today we travel through it on our way to Flagstaff. The whole region has the imagery and feel of a bygone age, where Native Americans still perform ancient rituals passed down through the generations, and cowboys herd cattle across miles of untouched hills. We reach Flagstaff, and spend three nights at the Little America Hotel.

Another of the highlights awaits us today as we travel by coach to Williams, the terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway. From here we make the journey on a heritage train to the Grand Canyon itself - one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights, formed by the Colorado River over a period of 227 million years. We arrive at the South Rim - the main viewing point of the Canyon - and from here you are free to see the amazing spectacle as you wish. You have the option of taking a helicopter flight over the Canyon, a fantastic way to see the scale of this natural wonder, which is a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide!

A short coach journey this morning takes us to Clarkdale. Here we board a vintage 1950s diesel-powered train for a trip on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The natural splendour of the Verde Canyon - deemed an Arizona state treasure in 2005 - provides a stunning backdrop to our journey. As we pass through the interesting red rock formations and over a number of trestle bridges we see historic Native American ruins, verdant vegetation and abundant wildlife.

Leaving Flagstaff behind, today we travel by coach along the legendary Route 66. Often referred to as the "main street of America", the famous highway has been immortalised in popular culture. We continue into Nevada and the 'fabulous Las Vegas', where we stay for two nights at the Hampton Inn Tropicana.

As one of the world's most spectacular cities, Las Vegas offers something for everyone, and Days 11 and 12 are free for you to spend as you wish here. The Las Vegas monorail is a great way to explore the amazing sights and spectacles of the Las Vegas strip and its numerous resorts. From the popular MGM Grand to the famous African-themed Sahara Hotel, the varied styles of resort here also include Oriental, Roman and Parisian themes - a chance for a veritable world tour without the need for flights or a passport! You can even take a gondola in Las Vegas' answer to Venice. The famous casinos should not be missed, and the Cirque du Soleil shows are a must for those who want to take a break from gambling. Should you wish to venture a little further afield, head to the nearby Springs Preserve to walk one of the winding trails, home to a plethora of rare plants, birds and animals. Alternatively, of course, you might simply wish to take these days to relax, unwind and enjoy the hotel's excellent leisure facilities, including the swimming pool and spa. You are at leisure in Las Vegas until the late afternoon of Day 12, when we transfer to the airport. We fly overnight to London Heathrow, arriving in the morning of Day 13.