Trains Across Colorado Tours from Vacations By Rail is actually four scenic trail rides wrapped up in one tour that features stops at the U.S. Air Force Academy and its Cadet Chapel (when available), the Garden of the Gods Park and a tour of the city of Denver. Visitors ascend to 7,539 feet to Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog train ride and ride through the Rocky Mountains on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, a fully-operational steam train. The Royal Gorge Scenic Railway is "the most famous portion of the old Denver and Rio Grande Western train line" according to Vacations By Rail.com. Visitors stay in assorted hotels throughout Colorado during their tour; this is not included in your tour package. Twelve meals, the service of a professional tour manager, round-trip airport transfers and $40 in future travel credits are included with this tour.
Vacations By Rail
877-929-7245
vacationsbyrail.com
The La Veta Mountaineer Round Trip train excursion from the Colorado Train Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is one of several tours available through this company. The La Veta Mountaineer tour departs from Alamosa and makes its way through the countryside to the small town of La Veta, which features several art galleries as well as cafes and restaurants. During the train trip, riders experience views often inaccessible by motor vehicle, according to RioGrandeScenicRailroad.com, including cliff-sided mountains, flatlands and foothills. Tourists get two hours to explore La Veta, where they can enjoy lunch in one of the area restaurants. The train also climbs the La Veta Pass, "the highest point in which standard gauge crosses a mountain pass in the United States," according to RioGrandeScenicRailroad.com. One-way and round-trip tickets are available.
Colorado Train Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
610 State St.
Alamosa, CO 81101
877-726-7245
riograndescenicrailroad.com
The Durango and Silverton Railroad offers rail-only tours as well as vacation packages on its historic steam train. The train has been in operation since 1881, carrying both passengers and gold and silver. The rail-only tour goes from Durango to the gold mining town of Silverton, "over the most scenic narrow gauge railroad in North America," according to RailsNW.com. Vacation packages are available ranging from two days/one night to four days/three nights.
The two-day tour starts in with an overnight in Durango after a day of town sightseeing before boarding the steam train for a ride to Silverton, where visitors will get two hours to explore and have lunch. The four-day trip is similar, with an overnight in Silverton and the opportunity to enjoy area activities including horseback riding and gold mine tours. Hotel rates are not included.
Durango and Silverton Railroad
800-717-0108
503-292-5055
railsnw.com
