Globus Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta(NCS)
11 Day Tour from Denver to Denver
If the closest thing to time travel is train travel, then you’ll love riding the rails into the unspoiled scenic past of Colorado and New Mexico. This off-the-beaten path tour of the U.S. West is just the ticket to chug through the untamed beauty of the Royal Gorge aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railway; through the magnificent mesas and canyons of San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad; and through the rugged splendor of the Rockies aboard the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad. You’ll also pick up steam with visits to Colorado Spring’s Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings, Chimayo’s famous pilgrimage site, and Glenwood Spring’s historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt’s. Train buffs will also enjoy time in Durango’s D&SNG Railway Museum, as well as a trolley tour through charming Santa Fe. All aboard! For one week in October, chasing rainbows is easy as hundreds of hot air balloons take flight and turn the already stunning atmosphere of New
Mexico into a kaleidoscope of dizzying color. Add the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to your U.S. West vacation to witness the incredible Mass Ascension, fiery Balloon Glow, evening fireworks, and other colorful rituals of the world’s largest balloon event.
Itinerary (2023)
| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN DENVER |
| | Welcome to Colorado! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink. |
| Day 2 | DENVER–ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROAD–COLORADO SPRINGS |
| | DENVER Guided sightseeing. Scenic drive to Cañon City to board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROAD Scenic train ride along Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge. COLORADO SPRINGS Guided visit at Garden of The Gods. Free time this evening. (B) |
| Day 3 | COLORADO SPRINGS–ALBUQUERQUE |
| | COLORADO SPRINGS Scenic drive to Albuquerque. ALBUQUERQUE Free time this evening. (B) |
| Day 4 | ALBUQUERQUE |
| | ALBUQUERQUE Opening Ceremonies and Mass Balloon Ascension. Balloon Glow and After-Glow Fireworks show this evening. (B) |
| Day 5 | ALBUQUERQUE–SANTA FE |
| | ALBUQUERQUE Free time this morning. Scenic drive to Santa Fe. SANTA FE Free time this afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) |
| Day 6 | SANTA FE. EXCURSION TO CHIMAYO |
| | SANTA FE Guided trolley tour includes San Miguel Mission, Palace of the Governors, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, and Loretto Chapel. Free time this evening. CHIMAYO Lunch at the Rancho de Chimayo. Visit to [LF] Santuario De Chimayo. (B,L) ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Santa Fe by visiting the shops and restaurants on the historic plaza. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app. |
| Day 7 | SANTA FE–BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT–TAOS–DURANGO |
| | BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT Free time to visit Anasazi Puebloan cliff dwellings and the museum. TAOS Free time before driving to Durango. DURANGO Free time this evening. (B) |
| Day 8 | DURANGO. EXCURSION TO MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK |
| | MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) Guided visit includes views of Spruce Tree House and free time at the museum. DURANGO Tour the D&SNG Railway Museum with the Curator. Free time this evening. (B) |
| Day 9 | DURANGO–NARROW-GAUGE RAILROAD–SILVERTON–GLENWOOD SPRINGS |
| | DURANGO Scenic train trip on the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad through San Juan Mountains en route to Silverton. SILVERTON Free time to explore before a scenic drive to Glenwood Springs. GLENWOOD SPRINGS Overnight stay at [LF] Hotel Colorado. Free time this evening. (B) |
| Day 10 | GLENWOOD SPRINGS–GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILROAD–DENVER |
| | GLENWOOD SPRINGS Scenic drive through the Rocky Mountains en route to Georgetown. GEORGETOWN Scenic train ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. DENVER Farewell dinner this evening. (B,D) |
| Day 11 | DENVER |
| | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Included Globus Meals
Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Related Globus Tours
NC - Historic Trains of the Old West
NCS - With Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Globus Pricing Details
Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase.