Cross the continental divide and explore the diverse landscape of colorful Colorado on a spectacular 10-day adventure! Your tour through Colorado begins with an overnight stay in the ‘Mile High City’ of Denver—5,280 feet above sea level. Discover the stunning landscapes of all four National Parks in Colorado, including majestic Rocky Mountain National Park and the ancient indigenous dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park. You’ll also explore the natural treasures of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and ride through the magnificent mesas and canyons of San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. Continue your journey west on Canyon Spirit rail journey from Denver to Salt Lake City, with magnificent scenery and stops in Glenwood Springs and Moab. PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Colorado Springs so you can plan your day your way.
Special features included in this tour:• Guided sightseeing in Denver with Red Rocks Amphitheater• Boulder and Estes Park • Visit Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Lake• Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Guided sightseeing in Palisade including peach farm visit• Visit Durango and ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad• Guided sightseeing in Mesa Verde National Park• Great Sand Dunes National Park • Visit Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark• Globus Choice excursion in Colorado Springs – included in your tour with your choice of the Broadmoor Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway or visit the US Olympic-Paralympic Museum• Enjoy scenic views on the Canyon Spirit train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Moab, and on to Salt Lake City
Notes: • Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.• We encourage all guests to prebook Globus Choice Excursions to ensure your preference is available. Globus Choice Excursions booked on-tour are subject to availability and vendor terms.• Maximum elevation on tour for overnight stay is 6512 feet. If Pikes Peak Cog Railway choice is selected, elevation is 14,115 at summit. • Your hotels in Glenwood Springs and Moab are determined by Canyon Spirit and satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort; properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. • Canyon Spirit is operated by Rocky Mountaineer/Armstrong Collective.
Welcome to Denver! At 6 pm, meet with your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Denver has something for everyone! Discover one of the city’s great museums, stroll the pedestrian mall at 16th Street or visit a local brewery on the Denver Beer Trail! Your Tour Director has suggestions to make the most of your free time. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for maps, tips, and more
Day 2 DENVER–MORRISON–BOULDER–ESTES PARK
Red Rocks and Mountain Tops Take an orientation tour of Denver, including the Colorado State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Visit Red Rocks Amphitheater, an iconic Colorado venue initially created by geologic events. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal project, Civilian Conservation Corps, constructed the amphitheater seating. Continue to Boulder for Flatiron views and an orientation tour. Enjoy lunch and leisure time to explore Pearl Street, a pedestrian walkway in the heart of downtown. Depart Boulder for Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE Recognized as the “Happiest City in the US,” Boulder boasts more than 300 days of sunshine. Home to University of Colorado Boulder, a tier-one research university also known for the strong Buffaloes football program, and The Sink, a timeless college hangout and the oldest restaurant in Boulder Breakfast
Day 3 ESTES PARK–ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK–VAIL
Rocky Mountain Highs Visit the Alpine Visitor Center and explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Continue to Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest natural lake, framed by magnificent mountain peaks. Travel to Vail, a charming mountain town nestled in the Colorado Rockies, for dinner at a local restaurant and a two-night stay. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HALFWAY TO HEAVEN Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses a variety of mountain range environments with alpine lakes, majestic mountain peaks, and miles of meadows for the wildlife to call home. Cross the tundra of the Continental Divide as it runs through Rocky Mountain National Park on the Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuously paved road in America. Watch for a wealth of wildlife that call the Rockies home—including plentiful elk, moose, big horn sheep, marmots, and maybe a black bear! BreakfastDinner
Day 4 VAIL
Bavarian Beauty Visit the Vail Nature Center and enjoy a light guided hike to explore the wildflowers, active beaver lodges, and local ecosystem. Continue to the Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame and learn the rich history of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Consider strolling the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, try goat yoga, or enjoy an exhilarating ride on the Copper Mountain gondola and alpine slide. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Vail! Wander and wonder in the charming alpine village—a popular playground for year-round activities—from hiking to biking to skiing. Explore charming Lionshead & Vail Villages to enjoy art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and suggestions on where to dine and what to see! Breakfast
Day 5 VAIL–GRAND JUNCTION–COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT–PALISADE
Peaches and Vines Depart Vail for Grand Junction and the Colorado National Monument for red rock canyons and desert landscapes high on the Colorado Plateau. Here, the Rockies meet the American Southwest. Continue to Palisade and visit a family-owned peach orchard. The unique climate, altitude, and rich volcanic soil in the Palisade area are the perfect combination for growing peaches and grapes. Discover creative peach concoctions with a tour and tasting at [LF] Peach Street Distillers, a creative spirits distillery. Enjoy an overnight stay at the Wine Country Inn for an authentic, local wine experience. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
COLORADO PROUD Enjoy the fruits of Palisade peach growers’ labors where a small-batch artisanal distillery uses Colorado grain and local fruit to create a variety of delicious spirits. Tour the production facility and explore the process and barrel aging techniques used to produce the award-winning spirits Breakfast
Day 6 PALISADE–BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK–SILVERTON–DURANGO
All Aboard! Depart Palisade for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Enjoy views in the quiet park of the gorge carved by the powerful Gunnison River. Continue to Silverton for a memorable ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Durango for a 2-night stay. Tonight, spend free time browsing the shops on Main Avenue or enjoy regional specialties at a local restaurant. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Board the legendary Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad steam train as it hugs steep canyon walls to wind its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon. Arrive in Durango, a town born in the Gold Rush and silver-mining era Breakfast
Day 7 DURANGO. MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Ancient Mystery Today, visit Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum and discover the culture and history of the Núuchi (Ute People). This afternoon, visit Ska Brewing Company in Durango for a tasting and to discover their sustainability initiatives. As one of the first craft breweries in the country to package beer in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, they are committed to reducing waste and continue to create sustainability programs. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in downtown Durango. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT DWELLINGS See Spruce Tree House, one of Mesa Verde’s best-preserved cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that tells the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot ancient plateau (now Mesa Verde National Park). Stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace (one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings) BreakfastDinner
Day 8 DURANGO–GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK–COLORADO SPRINGS
Peak Perfection Depart Durango for Alamosa and visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Reaching 750 feet high across 30 square miles, the Great Sand Dunes of Southern Colorado amaze as the tallest sand dunes in North America. Surrounded by a backdrop of forest, mountains, and wild grassland, this natural wonder creates a visual masterpiece of natural beauty. Continue to Colorado Springs for a 2-night resort stay.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION HIGHLIGHT Discover Rocky Mountain serenity at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, located in the foothills of the Rockies, for the ultimate mountain experience. Relax onsite with resort amenities including walking trails, indoor and outdoor pools, a private lake with watersports, golf, spa, and even pickleball courts!
Day 9 COLORADO SPRINGS
Spend your day your way in Colorado Springs Explore more of Colorado Springs with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
Visit stunning Garden of the Gods for a gentle nature walk to explore 300 million years of geological history amid its 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations. Marvel at the otherworldly beauty of this geological wonder against a Colorado “bluebird” sky above the snowcapped summit of Pikes Peak. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at the resort. This evening, gather with your fellow travel companions and Tour Director for a farewell dinner. (B,D) BreakfastDinner
Day 10 COLORADO SPRINGS–DENVER
Mile-High City Say goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver and enjoy a day at leisure in Denver. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason! Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app. Optional excursions are available for purchase with MyGlobus Breakfast
Day 11 DENVER–GLENWOOD SPRINGS (Canyon Spirit)
Rockies by Rail Depart this morning after breakfast for your journey on the Canyon Spirit train west to Glenwood Springs. Enjoy the relaxing ride through the scenic White River National Forest and be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
(B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy a stay at the historic Hotel Colorado in beautiful Glenwood Springs. This elegant Rocky Mountain retreat has been a welcomed respite for travelers for more than 125 years is near the town’s famous hot springs. Special guests President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown have enjoyed its gracious accommodations in the heart of the Colorado Rockies; it’s storied history also includes time as a Naval Hospital in the 1940’s and playground for notorious characters such as the Chicago gangsters during the Roaring 20’s BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 12 GLENWOOD SPRINGS–MOAB, UTAH
Rugged Beauty Depart Glenwood Springs and cross the Colorado-Utah border en route to Moab, an outdoor mecca near stunning natural landmarks, national parks, and world-class hiking. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TRAIN SPOTLIGHT Canyon Spirit Signature Service features a single-level coach offering reclining seats, meals served at your seat, and panoramic views from oversized windows. Enjoy an onboard culinary experience in regional cuisine and ingredients local to the Southwestern US BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 13 MOAB–SALT LAKE CITY
Crimson Canyons Enjoy free time in Moab this morning. Wander through the museums and shops downtown, visit the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage, bike on backcountry trails, or simply relax taking in the views of the American West. This afternoon, board the train for Salt Lake City. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT The capital city of Utah was first established in 1847 by early pioneer settlers led by Brigham Young, who exclaimed, “This is the right place,” upon seeing its vistas and verdant landscapes. The city has year-round outdoor activities and offers a vibrant downtown with a variety of stores, attractions, and restaurants BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 14 SALT LAKE CITY
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Salt Lake City? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
Accommodations
Denver
Estes Park
Vail
Palisade
Durango
Colorado Springs
Salt Lake City
Sheraton Denver Downtown Moderate Deluxe
1550 Court Place Denver CO United States
Enjoy the Mile High city in style and discover an ideal combination of atmosphere, location, and amenities at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Surrounded in every aspect with sleek design, you can work out in the revolutionary health and fitness center or relax and socialize at the end of the day with cocktails at the posh outdoor rooftop deck pool. The hotel is positioned in the heart of downtown Denver, a city that's alive and buzzing with entertainment, great food, music, and with a gorgeous mountain backdrop.
Holiday Inn Estes Park First-Class
101 S St Vrain Ave Estes Park CO United States
At the Holiday Inn Estes Park, your starting point for activities in Rocky Mountain National Park, you will wake up to the fresh mountain air. This hotel provides quick access to activities, boutique shopping, and a variety of dining options. Unwind under the stars by the outdoor firepits or the lobby fireplace. Enjoy the indoor pool with "dive-in" movies. With newly renovated rooms' luxurious beds, coffee machines, mini-refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi, your vacation in the Rocky Mountains will be flawless.
Highline Vail - a DoubleTree by Hilton First-Class
2211 N Frontage Road Vail CO United States
Surrounded by the Colorado landscape, which is only a short distance from Vail Mountain. After a day on the slopes or visiting the town, relax and warm up on the patio near the fireplace. Warm chocolate chip cookies are served at the beginning of each visit.
Wine Country Inn First-Class
777 Grande River Dr Palisade CO United States
Situated amidst 21 acres of vines in the center of Colorado's wine region, the Wine region Inn provides visitors with a welcoming and genuine wine country experience.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango First-Class
501 Camino Del Rio Durango CO United States
This hotel is located along the Animas River's banks. A five-minute stroll gets you to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and historic Downtown Durango. The San Juan National Forest, which contains Colorado's largest wilderness region, is ten miles away and offers outdoor fun.
Cheyenne Mountain Resort Superior First-Class
3225 Broadmoor Valley Road Colorado Springs CO United States
Experience the Rocky Mountain way of life in Colorado and take in the breathtaking scenery at Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Enjoy dozens of on-site activities, such as excellent golf, tennis, pickleball, swimming in their aquatic facility, and water sports on their private lake, while you stay in 217 acres of rustic Colorado Springs comfort. Savor our resort's mouthwatering cuisine, opulent spa, amazing special events, and breathtaking scenery.
Radisson Hotel Downtown Salt Lake City First-Class
215 West South Temple Salt Lake City UT United States
The Radisson is located in downtown Salt Lake City near ample shopping, dining, and attractions. The hotel has concierge service, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, guest laundry, gift shop, business center, restaurant, lounge, and room service.