“All aboard” the rail adventure of a lifetime! Travel back to the Old West and the days of the “Iron Horse” set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. You’ll journey on five vintage trains over high mountain passages and through breathtaking gorges. A “must-do” epic adventure for nostalgia and train buffs alike!
- Scenic mountain rail adventures on Royal Gorge, Cumbres & Toltec, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge, and Georgetown Loop Railroads; optional ride on Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Marvel at North America’s tallest dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
- Enjoy a leisurely day in the western town of Durango
- Mesa Verde National Park Option
- Guided tour of Garden of the Gods
- Pioneer and Native American tales by Leon Joseph Littlebird
DAY 1: WELCOME TO COLORADO!
Relive the thrill and excitement of that historic era starting today when you arrive in Denver. D
DAY 2: GEORGETOWN LOOP R.R./MOUNTAIN TALES
Your day begins in charming Georgetown, which started as a mining camp in 1859. There you'll experience your first rail adventure aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge line that forms a grand loop high in the Rocky Mountains. After a delicious lunch in town, storyteller Leon Joseph Littlebird will perform tales of mountain life and indigenous music. Continue on to our hotel in Grand Junction. B, L
DAY 3: DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
See Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is part of a deep, steep-walled gorge carved through Precambrian rock by the Gunnison River. Then hop aboard the 1880s-era coal-fired, steam-powered locomotives from Silverton to Durango following the same track miners, cowboys, and settlers did over a century ago. Gaze in awe while chugging through portions of the magnificent two million acres of remote wilderness that make up the San Juan National Forest! B
DAY 4: DURANGO YOUR WAY
Enjoy a leisurely day in the western town of Durango, founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. You may choose to explore this historic downtown on a walking tour, stroll the Animas River trail, browse the shops, or take an exciting optional excursion. B
Option—Mesa Verde National Park Travel deep into Mesa Verde National Park to learn about the Ancestral Puebloans. L Price: $85 per person
DAY 5: CUMBRES & TOLTEC RAILROAD
Return to the exciting days of the Frontier West aboard this stately steam engine the moment it blows its horn! Relax in your comfortable coach or open-air observation car during an unforgettable journey from Chama to Antonito, located in the San Juan Mountains, at an elevation of 10,022 ft. Midway enjoy a delicious lunch stop in the small mining town of Osier before heading to Alamosa. B, L
DAY 6: GREAT SAND DUNES N.P./ROYAL GORGE RAILROAD
Marvel at North America’s tallest dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. After lunch, enjoy a trip on “North America's most scenic railroad” — the world-famous Royal Gorge Route! From the comfort of the train, enjoy fabulous scenery and wildlife. This classic, old-time diesel engine chugs along the Arkansas River and winds its way through the steep granite cliffs of the gorge. B, L, D
DAY 7: PIKES PEAK
Begin your day at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, which is suspended 1,000 feet above the gorge. Travel towards Colorado Springs in time for lunch in the magical town of Manitou Springs, home to nine mineral springs fed by the snows of Pikes Peak. Many native Americans considered this area sacred—and you’ll see why. Tonight, enjoy a rousing Western stage show and Chuckwagon dinner at Flying W Ranch. B, L, D
Option—Pikes Peak Cog Railway If you’re feeling extra adventurous, sign up for a thrilling 8,000-foot ascent to the top of majestic Pikes Peak (14,110 ft.), taking in miles of mountainous scenery along the way. Price: $85 per person
DAY 8: GARDEN OF THE GODS
This morning we visit the stunning Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. This 1,367-acre park at the base of Pikes Peak is where the Great Plains meet the Rockies—and is like a little piece of heaven! You’ll be amazed by the abundance of plant and animal life here, as well as the magnificent red sandstone formations. Afterwards, return to Denver as you say goodbye to new friends and take home with happy railroading memories! B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Hyatt Place Airport, Denver
Night 2: Hampton Inn Downtown, Grand Junction
Nights 3-4: Holiday Inn, Durango (or similar)
Night 5: Hampton Inn, Alamosa (or similar)
Night 6: Best Western, Canon City
Night 7: Hyatt Place, Colorado Springs
Departure Cities:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
- Springfield
Depart: July 31, 2026
Return: August 7, 2026
AND
Depart: September 18, 2026
Return: September 25, 2026
Price Per Person:
- DB $3,399
- TP/QD $3,199
- SG $4,199
Price includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI/SGF. Call for other gateway cities.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on the coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
