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 Rockies to the Red Rocks Three-day Classic

 
4.9 stars(6 reviews)
You are viewing the 2027 itinerary. Select your departure year
202620272028
Duration
5 days
From per person
$2,935
Tour code
RV-RRTE-27
View Dates & Pricing
View Dates & Pricing
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
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Views of rugged canyons, rust-hued deserts and towering mountains guide the way on this rail journey from Salt Lake City to Denver aboard Canyon Spirit

America's only luxury train, Canyon Spirit, is your chariot for this unforgettable rail adventure. Follow its new route from Salt Lake City, through the deserts of Moab, into the peaks surrounding Glenwood Springs, and finally, to Colorado's dynamic capital city, Denver.

Enjoy time to explore Salt Lake City ahead of the journey and daylight-only routes that weave through expanses unseen by any other form of transportation. High-end service, incredible meals and onboard storytelling complement the views, and with stays in a new city each night, your experience is truly unforgettable.

Please Note: Westbound departures are also available.

Unforgettable Experiences

Journey between mountain peaks and deserts on Canyon Spirit
Journey between mountain peaks and deserts on Canyon Spirit
Join Canyon Spirit on its new route for 2026, traveling from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Denver, Colorado, by daylight only to get the best views of terracotta-hued cliffs and dramatic mountain passes.
Stay in Utah’s mountain-surrounded state capital
Stay in Utah’s mountain-surrounded state capital
Get to know Salt Lake City during a free day to explore downtown’s shops, restaurants and attractions with incredible mountain views in the distance.
Explore the Southwest’s adventure capital, Moab
Explore the Southwest’s adventure capital, Moab
Whether wandering downtown’s eclectic main street or exploring the sandstone rock formations of Arches National Park, you are always surrounded by adventure during a stay in Moab.
Revel in Rocky Mountain views in Glenwood Springs
Revel in Rocky Mountain views in Glenwood Springs
After crossing into Rocky Mountain territory, spend the evening in a historical resort town beloved for its hot springs and access to nature, Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Discover Colorado’s culture in Denver
Discover Colorado’s culture in Denver
Arrive at Denver's historic Union Station and enjoy a day to get to know this vibrant city, which is as beloved for its art, cuisine and brewery culture as it is for the mountains beyond.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1 Arriving in Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City

Imagine the wondrous sights to come as your vacation begins today in Salt Lake City. As you arrive, make your own way to your downtown hotel to check in for the night. Downtown is easily accessible from the airport via Salt Lake City's TRAX line.

Salt Lake City is vibrant and modern yet has a historical undertone that reflects the state's pioneer heritage, and at every turn, the beautiful Wasatch Mountains frame the scenery. You might like to start exploring the city's contrasts, perhaps while wandering between the shops and attractions downtown. The Victorian-era City and County Building features a 256-foot clock tower, and there are plenty of museums, including the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. Of course, the State Capitol Building and Temple Square are favorites with visitors.

For dinner this evening, Salt Lake City has a vast selection of restaurants, with offerings ranging from casual Mexican fare to upscale new American. Overnight Salt Lake City.

DAY2 Into Utah’s deserts aboard Canyon Spirit

With some of Utah and Colorado's most awe-inspiring vistas ahead, your rail journey begins this morning at Salt Lake City's railway station. Step aboard Canyon Spirit and take your comfortable, reclining seat in a domed-glass carriage. This luxury train makes sightseeing a priority and provides opportunities from every angle - including from an open-air viewing platform.

Enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as the train sets underway and breakfast, which is served at your seat, so you do not miss any of the passing scenes. Canyon Spirit weaves past Provo, enters the historic Thistle Tunnels, crosses Soldier Summit and descends into the Price River Canyon. The scenery becomes increasingly arid as lunch is served, and you can admire passing views of the Book Cliffs before arriving in Moab.

An included transfer takes you to your hotel for the night in downtown Moab, and you are then free to get to know this adventurous destination. Shops and restaurants line the main street, and there are plenty of ways to explore nature just outside downtown's bounds. Overnight Moab.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY3 The beauty of mountain country

 Weather permitting, the sunrises in Moab are spectacular. As the sun makes its way over the horizon, the clay-colored cliffs and rock formations are wrapped in multihued skies creating beautiful scenes. You might like to head out on a local trail to witness this for yourself. There are paved walking and biking paths within downtown Moab, and just outside of town are tons of hiking trails you could explore, including in Arches National Park.

Returning to Moab later in the day, you are transferred from your hotel to the railway station to continue the journey onboard Canyon Spirit. Dinner is served at your seat as the train crosses the Colorado border, enveloped in remarkable scenes of the Colorado Rockies, and heads toward Glenwood Springs, where you stay for the night. As the train pulls into the station, a transfer takes you to the hotel, where you have a free evening to soak up the new scenery. Overnight Glenwood Springs.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY4Crossing the Continental Divide to Denver

After a transfer back to Glenwood Springs' railway station this morning, rejoin Canyon Spirit for another day of jaw-dropping views from a perspective not seen by any other form of travel. Breakfast is served as the train sets off, bound for the "Mile High City."

Views of rugged canyons and the powerful Colorado River guide the course, with the mountain views surrounding. Tilt your head back to see the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies through the glass roof, or step outside to breathe in the fresh mountain air. In your carriage, your dedicated host again narrates the epic journey, highlighting points of interest and telling stories about the past while providing attentive service as the route unfolds.

After lunch this afternoon, Canyon Spirit trundles across the Continental Divide and approaches Colorado's capital city. As the train pulls into Denver's historic Union Station, you are transferred to your hotel for check-in and then can get to know Denver, perhaps at a local restaurant or brewery. Overnight Denver.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY5 Tour conclusion

Having traveled from the Wasatch Mountains of Salt Lake City, through the red rocks of Utah, and into the lush alpine scenery of Colorado aboard Canyon Spirit, your journey comes to a close today in Denver. Upon checking out of your hotel, you are free to continue experiencing the city at your own pace.

The city's museums, such as the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, are visitor favorites, as are the Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Botanic Gardens. You could also wander through historic Larimer Square or the city's eclectic neighborhoods, including the River North Art District and Highland, before continuing your onward travels home independently.

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Find out more
Canyon Spirit
Canyon Spirit

Formerly known as Rocky Mountaineer, Canyon Spirit is America's answer to a modern luxury train. Canyon Spirit follows epic routes through Colorado and Utah, presenting wild expanses of mountains, canyons and deserts. As the first of its kind in the lower 48, this route treats travelers to all the luxury that has become synonymous with Rocky Mountaineer during a three-day, daylight-only route. Enjoy onboard storytelling and dedicated care from onboard hosts and incredible cuisine inspired by the regions through which the train travels. Domed-glass windows, open-air viewing pavilions and reclining seats mean you never miss a moment of jaw-dropping scenery in the Southwest.

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Reviews

4.9 stars4.9 / 5 · 6 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (5)
  2. 4 stars
    (1)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

RAYMOND WHITE

5 stars

Submitted 7/Aug

outstanding trip. Premier level. Service and accommodations were exceptional. Baggage was delivered room to room, hotels were excellent.. On board meals were excellent with options and there is a club car with snacks and drinks. Commentary on notable sites added to experience. Rail travel is so much easier than air with larger seats for comfort and ability to move around with large windows for scenic views. The personal were welcoming and supportive for the trip. Could not have been better. Highly recommend.

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JAMES MEMMESHEIMER

5 stars

Submitted 1/Aug

Good food, good views, good people, no complaints at all.

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SteveJ

5 stars

Submitted 14/Jul

The railroad trip itself was great (with a few rough edges) even as an economy passenger. But all of the actual train time was delightful and the scenery spectacular. Having your luggage show up in your hotel room was a treat. If I were to go again I would book it directly with the company that operates the trip (Armstrong) since I had some questions that I felt were not fully answered by the VBR representative ahead of time in hindsight. In my opinion VBR was not clear about some of the differences between the economy and deluxe bookings. Also I was disappointed with the final hotel (Indigo) in Denver (not VBR's fault). But I would not forego the experience because of various minor bugs and would probably go economy again. We were very pleased overall.

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DEBORAH ELAINE BOND

5 stars

Submitted 3/Jul

Tristan and his crew took exceptional care of us. The food was incredible and the service was first class. The stories were informative and entertaining. The car was comfortable and clean. The lounge car was luxurious with an outstanding host. We enjoyed having an extra treat in the whiskey tasting event. Our accommodations were top shelf and the staff made it easy to navigate every night. Our every question was answered. Our every whim acquired. Our staff appeared to be enjoying their experience which made our experience much more fun. And the views!!

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DEBORAH ELAINE BOND
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Tula Mahl

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

This trip was great. It was very comfortable. The food was good. The service by the staff was outstanding. The hotel accommodations were nice. I would recommend.

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DRich

4 stars

Submitted 26/May

The tour package was very well thought out and arranged; the staff were uniformly excellent, well-informed, and courteous (can't over-emphasize how GREAT every staff was to us all!). Our hotels were excellently located near city centers and well-appointed. Not having to worry about hauling luggage to and from hotel rooms was a great plus. The only recommendations I offer is to provide a much more detailed day-by-day itinerary at least two days before departure, that includes timing and contents of meals, arrival/departure times (from hotels as well as train stations), recommended sights/restaurants at each stop, and sight highlights along the way. To the tour's credit, elements of each of these were distributed, but they were not as complete and detailed as they could have been (for example, a map indicating a few scenery highlights was provided on the train, but it wasn't detailed or descriptive enough to be able to anticipate them and be ready for picture taking). However, these observations did not detract too much from what was otherwise an excellent inaugural tour experience.

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