Colorado Rail Adventure

We begin our American adventure with our fl ight from London Heathrow to Denver, meeting our local Tour Manager on arrival.

On Day 2, our adventure through the Rockies begins as we board the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge line which once connected the mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume. After lunch we continue by coach, taking a scenic route along the Front Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains to Colorado Springs, for 2 nights.

This morning, we travel by coach through mountainous terrain to the summit of Pikes Peak. At 14,115 feet, this is the highest summit in the southern Front Range of the Rockies and is Colorado's most renowned mountain. At the summit, we have time to soak up the panoramas, which on a clear day, include an incredible 5 states. This afternoon, we transfer by coach to the Garden of the Gods, a breathtaking park fi lled with striking red rock formations. We discover the Visitor Centre and museum before embarking on a guided drive through the park.

We continue through the Rockies by coach, travelling through iconic spots including the dramatically steep Ute Trail, the Continental Divide, and Trout Creek Pass, at 9,487 feet.

We pause in Salida, before continuing via Poncha Pass to San Luis Valley on the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains. Our destination is Durango, a town which gives the sense of having stepped into an old Western movie.

This morning, we embark on a journey aboard Durango's famous heritage railway, the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. The line connects Durango with the mining town of Silverton and incredibly, has been in continuous use since its inception more than 130 years ago. We have some time in Silverton to explore. Perhaps visit the Silverton Freight Yard Museum for an insight into the historic railway before we return to Durango by coach, where you have a free evening.

Early this morning, a coach takes us to the village of Chama in New Mexico for a journey on the longest narrow-gauge steam railway in North America, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The train takes us over the Cumbres Pass and into the heart of the San Juan Mountains. We continue through a deep canyon known as the 'River of Pines', a section of the route so remote that no paved road crosses the tracks for 50 miles. After pausing in Osier for lunch, the train begins its final, steep ascent through Toltec Gorge. Our journey ends in Antonito and we transfer to our hotel in Alamosa.

Today, we embark on a journey aboard the heritage Rio Grande Scenic Railroad to the wildly beautiful La Veta Pass. We wind through the sweeping mountain landscapes on tracks that date back to 1882. This afternoon, we continue by coach to Great Sand Dunes National Park. We return to Alamosa by coach.

We journey into the dramatic Royal Gorge Canyon on Day 8, travelling in Vista Dome Class on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in panoramic vista-dome cars, with lunch served on board. Our route skirts the path of the Arkansas River, passing the soaring Royal Gorge Bridge, one of the highest suspension bridges in the world. After our journey, we transfer to Denver.

Enjoy a free day in Denver, a city overlooked by majestic mountain peaks. Explore the bustling downtown area, centred on a mile-long promenade lined with cafés and shops, or perhaps head to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to see the world's most advanced digital planetarium.

Later, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving on Day 10.