As you depart Chicago's Union Station aboard Amtrak's Southwest Chief the scenery glides by on your way to the beauty of America's West. America's natural beauty comes alive at The Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park and the San Francisco Bay. The beauty and awe created by America is in the excitement and thrill of Las Vegas, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Mormon Temple, Tabernacle. Amtrak's California Zephyr, one of the America's Great Rail Journeys, takes you back to Chicago, through the natural beauty of Donner Pass, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Rockies and Great Plaines.

On this tour reclining coach seats with leg rests are included. You will spend the first night on the train, then eleven nights in firstclass hotels. On the return, you’ll Spend another night on the train with reclining coach seats with leg rest. A coach comfort kit is included.

Meals are included when you travel overnight on the train*. A limited number of sleeping accommodations are available at a very modest additional cost; only $545 for roomette bedrooms and $1095 for upgraded bedrooms (per person, double occupancy). Enjoy daytime privacy and two nights of normal sleeping conditions.

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The Grand Canyon • Las Vegas • Yosemite National Park •
Sacramento • San Francisco • Salt Lake City • Colorado Rockies

Call 877-929-7245 for rail fares and schedules from your city to and from Chicago.

• Relive the excitement of the Santa Fe Trail crossing New Mexico & Arizona on the Southwest Chief.
• The Grand Canyon, one of the world's' great natural wonders.
• In Las Vegas, you'll see the unbelievable mega hotels and casinos that rise from the desert floor . . . even Las Vegas' phenomenal Fremont Street.
• Yosemite National Park is one of America's most popular Spring, Summer, and Fall destinations. You'll see all of its awesome natural wonders.
• Two days in San Francisco, everyone's favorite city by the Bay. Enjoy sightseeing; ride the cable cars; free time to explore. Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge and the view from atop Twin Peaks will thrill you. On the second day you'll see the 250-foot high redwood trees at Muir Woods and stop over in the Mediterranean-like village of Sausalito.
• In Salt Lake City you'll see the Mormon Temple, Tabernacle, Brigham Young's Monument and many other attractions.
• The train ride through the Colorado Rockies is the most scenic in the United States. Your train will wind between the towering Rockies peaks all afternoon.

• Round-trip rail transportation by Amtrak and deluxe motor coach.
• First-class hotel accommodations with private bath for 11 nights.
• 16 meals
• Sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. Admission to all included attractions.
• Baggage handling, taxes, tips, etc.
• Services of a professional Tour Director.

Day 1: En Route
Our tour members will meet the tour director in the Metropolitan Lounge of Chicago's Union Station. At 2:45 we'll board the Southwest Chief prior to its 3:15 p.m. departure. Relax in your reclining coach seat with leg rest. Modestly-priced meals are available in the dining car and lighter fare in the Sightseer Lounge car.

Roomette bedroom sleeping accommodations and upgraded Bedrooms (including shower facilities) are available at an additional cost. All dining car meals are included for sleeping car passengers. (D)

Day 2: En Route/Flagstaff
Today you will begin to relive the excitement of the Santa Fe Trail as you cross New Mexico and Arizona. The huge windows offer a panoramic view of the spectacular scenery. You will have time for a trainside walk when you arrive in Albuquerque at mid afternoon. Your arrival into Flagstaff, Arizona, is scheduled for 8:44 p.m. Upon arrival we'll transfer the short distance to the attractive Hampton Inn. (B, L & D)

Day 3: The Grand Canyon
After a Continental breakfast, we'll travel by deluxe motor coach to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is one of the world's outstanding spectacles. In form, size, flowing color and geological significance, it is unsurpassed.

We will view the Canyon from several observation areas. Your first stop will be Watchtower where you will experience views of the River, the Canyon, the Painted Desert and Kaibab National Forest. We'll also spend time at the Yavapai Observation Station. Your travelers will return to the La Quinta Inn for the night.

Tonight we're going to Black Bart's, one of Flagstaff's best and "liveliest" restaurants. In addition to the great food, the waiters will be singing familiar Broadway show tunes throughout the evening. (CB & D)

Day 4: En Route/Las Vegas
Following a Continental breakfast in your hotel, we'll board your deluxe motor coach and travel northwest 250 miles to fabulous Las Vegas. Late this afternoon, your travelers will arrive among the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. Your home for the next two nights will be the Treasure Island Hotel. You're free this evening to begin to explore this magnificent oasis in the desert. (CB)

Day 5: Las Vegas
A full breakfast buffet at the Bellagio Hotel is included this morning. Throughout the day the tour director will arrange visits to some of the most spectacular hotel/casinos including The Venetian, New York-New York, Excalibur and the Luxor. Your tour will end at the breathtakingly beautiful Venetian where there is an extensive food court.

This evening we'll transfer to original Las Vegas, now known as "downtown". What this part of the city has done to compete with the strip hotels/casinos is phenomenal. They have constructed a huge roof that covers Fremont Street where you will view the "Fremont Street Experience". It's a ten-minute show in which over two million lights are utilized. There will be time to enjoy the many options of "downtown." (B)

Day 6: En Route/Merced
We leave Las Vegas on your deluxe motor coach at 9:45 a.m. for Bakersfield, California. You will make a stop in Barstow, California, for an "on-your-own" lunch around 1:00 p.m. You arrive in Bakersfield in time to catch a 3:45 p.m. San Joaquin train to Merced, California. This is a modern, double-decker train. You arrive in Merced around 6:50 p.m. and transfer to the Holiday Inn Express, your hotel for this evening. An excellent restaurant, the Eagle's Nest, is your dinner destination (included). (D)

Day 7: Yosemite National Park
A Continental breakfast is included this morning. Today will be one of the most memorable days of your life. This morning you will board your motor coach for the 82-mile journey into the park. El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome are some of the most popular attractions. This afternoon we'll take a two-hour narrated sightseeing tour of the park.

Late this afternoon we'll continue on to Sacramento. A dinner stop will be made (included). Your arrival in California's capital city is scheduled for mid evening. You will be staying at the attractive Holiday Inn Capital Plaza for the next two nights. (D)

Day 8: Sacramento
This is a totally free day. The many attractions of historic Old Sacramento and a large shopping mall are within walking distance.

A major attraction is the spectacular California State Railroad Museum. Within this three-story steel, brick and glass structure, you'll find 21 restored locomotives and train cars.

This afternoon your motor coach will take those interested to a local Laundromat. There are numerous dining options in the area.

Day 9: En Route/San Francisco
This morning you depart Sacramento on your motor coach for San Francisco. We'll arrive into the world-famous "City by the Bay" at noon.

This afternoon we'll embark on a three-and-a-half hour sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Jackson Square, Telegraph Hill, the Presidio and Fisherman's Wharf. Your home for the next two nights is the exquisite Chancellor Hotel. The Chancellor is located on Union Square, close to major shops, restaurants and other attractions.

The afternoon tour will end at Fisherman's Wharf. Discover the magnificent restaurants for which San Francisco is so famous.

Day 10: San Francisco
You're on your own this morning. Rest, shop, ride a cable car or visit major attractions. This afternoon you're off to Muir Woods and Sausalito. You'll cross the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, then continue on to Muir Woods for a leisurely stroll through this beautiful 550-acre National Monument to see 800-year-old trees that rise 250 feet or more. We'll stop in the Mediterranean-like village of Sausalito and then return to your hotel, or you can stay and enjoy more of Sausalito and return to San Francisco on your own via ferry boat. The ferry ticket is not included in the tour price.

Day 11: En Route/Elko, Nevada
We leave your hotel this morning and travel by Amtrak Thruway bus to the Amtrak station in Emeryville for your 7:10 a.m. departure on the California Zephyr. Delicious "on-your-own" meals are available in the dining car today, or lighter fare is available in the Sightseer Lounge car, as you make your way from Emeryville, California, to Elko, Nevada. A comfortable reclining coach seat with leg rest is included. You'll want to spend time in the Sightseer Lounge.

As you travel eastward you leave the lush green landscape and palm trees of California and enter the rugged terrain, dotted with pine trees, of the high Sierra Nevada mountains. You will pass through the famous Donner Pass this afternoon.

We arrive in Elko, Nevada, this evening at 8:09 p.m. and transfer to your hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, for the night.

Day 12: En Route/Price Utah
This morning, after a Continental breakfast at your hotel, you will board your comfortable motor coach for the trip to Price, Utah. On the way you will pass through Salt Lake City, Utah.

During your brief Salt Lake City tour you'll see the Mormon Temple, Tabernacle, Brigham Young's Monument and private burial ground, Beehive House, Lion House, Eagle Gate, University of Utah, Fort Douglas and Trolley Square.

Throughout the day there will be "on-your-own" lunch and dinner opportunities available. You will arrive in Price, Utah, in the early evening where you will spend the night at the Holiday Inn. (CB)

Day 13: En Route/Colorado Rockies
A Continental breakfast is included this morning. After breakfast you will go to the nearby Helper Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr for your trip to Chicago.

The train departs at 7:57 a.m. A comfortable, reclining coach seat with leg rest is included. Private Roomette Bedroom and upgraded Bedrooms are available at an additional cost. All meals are included for sleeping car passengers. Coach class passengers can go to the dining car for an "on-your-own" lunch or dinner. Snacks, beverages, and sandwiches are available in the Lounge car throughout the day.

Make sure you take the opportunity to view the spectacular scenery from the Sightseer Lounge car as you make your way toward Denver. When you leave Glenwood Springs, you will begin to climb through the awesome Rockies toward the Continental Divide. We'll encounter the famous, five-mile long Moffat Tunnel and, literally, go under the Continental Divide. The mountain vistas will continue throughout the afternoon. We'll arrive in Denver at 7:58 p.m. (CB, L & D)

Day 14: En Route
The California Zephyr will roll across Iowa and Illinois and arrive in Chicago at mid afternoon. Some tour members will change to trains bound for Midwest, Eastern, and Southern home cities. Others may spend the night in Chicago and fly home the next day. (B & L)

   

   

   

 Departure Dates:

• September 10 – September 23

 Per Person Rates:

• Twin $2,745
• Single add $1,760

 Per Person Sleeping Accommodation Upgrade Rates:

• Roomette Bedroom $545
• Upgraded Bedroom $1095