Canyons, Rockies, and Rails with Rocky Mountaineer

Welcome to exciting Las Vegas, also known as “Sin City!” Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Depart the glittering lights of Las Vegas and stop at the Hoover Dam Museum, located in Boulder City. Gain insight to the men and women who braved the desolation of the southern Nevada desert to build this engineering marvel – it’s a story of American ambition, vision, and grit. Depart Boulder City into Arizona, journeying across old Mojave gold-strike country. Visit the historic Route 66 town of Seligman and then continue to Williams, gateway to the Grand Canyon, listed in the National Register for Historic Places, and home for the next two nights. The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks and boasts a rich heritage that features the Old West and Route 66.

Marvel at one of the Natural Wonders of the World at awe-inspiring Grand Canyon National Park. There’s plenty of free time to wander along the canyon rim experiencing the breathtaking views. Return to Williams where the evening is free to explore the historic Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s. Be sure to take note of the neon signs of “Motel Row” circa 1940’s.

Continue across Arizona and into Navajo Nation and America’s West that has been immortalized on the silver screen. Situated on the Arizona/Utah border, Monument Valley’s scenic desert vistas and iconic buttes have appeared in countless classic Western films. See the massive formations on a memorable 4-wheel-drive tour. Your knowledgeable Navajo guide will show you some of the valley’s most incredible scenery and share inspiring stories, legends, and lore. This evening, join the optional Navajo cookout for dinner surrounded by the red-rock canyons of Monument Valley.

Today, we head north for Moab. Visit the magnificent Arches National Park, where you’ll discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms, and textures unlike anything else in the world. With over 2,000 preserved natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, this red-rock wonderland will amaze you. Overnight in Moab, with time to stroll through the downtown shops for a great selection of Southwestern art and jewelry.

Visit magnificent Canyonlands National Park to see deep canyons stretching across the Colorado Plateau, an intricate canyon labyrinth of crimson hues. Then, on to Dead Horse Point State Park to see a vast mesa with an incredible view of the Colorado River as it twists through a gooseneck canyon 2,000 feet below. Return to Moab for a free evening. Perhaps visit the quaint shops and restaurants on Main Street or stretch your legs on the Mill Creek Parkway Trail.

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Moab before embarking on the Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic train ride in SilverLeaf Class. Travel east, cross the Utah-Colorado border and ride through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area. Your train hosts share stories of the area as you pass Parachute Creek and Mount Logan while following the scenic Colorado River. Take in the beautiful red rock formations, desert cliffs of Ruby Canyon, and mountain vistas that can’t be seen from the road! Enjoy dinner on board the train before arriving in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado for the night.

YOUR TRAIN: The Rocky Mountaineer takes you on an extraordinary two-day rail journey between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. SilverLeaf Service features a single-level glass-dome coach offering reclining seats, meals and drinks served at your seat, and panoramic views from oversized windows. You can also spend time on the outdoor viewing area. Enjoy an onboard culinary experience with regional cuisine and ingredients local to the Southwest U.S. If you choose, enhance your experience with SilverLeaf Plus, which elevates the already exceptional SilverLeaf Service to the next level with exclusive access to a lounge car, premium beverages and more!

NOTE:
Glenwood Springs’ properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. Your chosen hotel is determined by Rocky Mountaineer; however, you can rest assured that it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.

This morning, board the train for a full day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while following the Colorado River and admiring the morning light reflected off the mountain. Travel through dense wooded forests, pass the white-capped mountains of White River National Forest and through picturesque Byers and Gore Canyons to the tranquil mountain lakes of Arapahoe National Forest. After lunch, cross the Continental Divide with a toast while cutting through the six-mile-long Moffatt Tunnel. This journey of a lifetime is one you won’t soon forget! Arrive in Denver this evening and continue to your hotel for your final night.

Your vacation ends this morning.