Day 1: There are enjoyable days ahead featuring five railroad rides in scenic Colorado. The drive is pleasant through western Kansas to reach Denver, CO, for night.

2: We are on our way to board the Georgetown Loop Railroad. We ride the 1920’s steam-powered train over the reconstructed tracks through silver mining country. This afternoon we head to Cañon City for night. (altitude 5,332’)

3: This morning we board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for a 24-mile journey following the Arkansas River and Royal Gorge. Enjoy a dramatic view of the Royal Gorge Bridge as we relax in climate-controlled rail cars. This afternoon we continue to Alamosa for the night. (7,500’)

4: Our ride today is on a narrow gauge steam train, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Spiked in 1880, the line was built to serve the rich mining camps of the San Juan Mountains. A delicious lunch is served at noon. The line climbs forested mountainsides and rolls through the wild Toltec Gorge of the Los Pinos River. After disembarking at Cumbres Pass we drive to Durango. Next two nights in Durango. (6,500’)

5: Today is full of scenery as we travel southwest to Mesa Verde National Park. A step-on guide joins us for our tour through the park. Mesa Verde is one of the nation’s major archeological preserves. It consists of more than 4,000 ruin sites, which include 600 cliff dwellings. Archeologists have stabilized only a few of the ruins.

6: This morning we board our fourth train for a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. (9,300’) The line carried $300 million worth of gold and silver in the late 1800s. Our route, inaccessible by car, follows the River of Lost Souls Canyon. We disembark at Silverton, where prospectors swarmed 100 years ago. Night in Gunnison.

7: We are on our way to board the Leadville and Southern Railroad in the historic mining town of Leadville, “the highest incorporated city” in North America (altitude 10,150’). We take in breathtaking panoramas across the Arkansas River Valley and humorous narratives about Leadville’s colorful past aboard the train. Then we head to Denver for the night. (Altitude 5,332’)

8: We are on our way home today after five spectacular train rides through the mountains of Colorado. After a pleasant interstate ride, we are home.

NOTE: This tour involves higher elevations, some uneven terrain and historic trains.