While biased, our new Great Western Explorer is a masterpiece, a visual feast offering up some of the most extraordinary sights of the American West, combined with exceptional sightseeing, superb hotels and a leisurely pace. This holiday is a trip of superlatives: from the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe to the overwhelming splendor of Hearst Castle, to the California Coast (which we travel alongside for 131 miles by train!) to the awesome majesty of the Grand Canyon, not to mention Yosemite and the haunting Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. We have included such rare treats as a ride aboard the newly restored Virginia & Truckee Railroad into historic Virginia City, Nevada, steamship passage to the lovely Catalina Islands and a visit to the famed Santa Monica Pier just to name just a few delights awaiting our guests. Naturally, all sightseeing and admission fees are included in the tour price. With remarkable hotels like the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno (a two-night stay), the legendary Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles (also two nights!) and the Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon, our passengers will enjoy memorable stays throughout. And last but not least, there is a professional tour manager to handle all the details so that you may concentrate on the important matters like whether or not to enjoy the crab omelette or the fresh tuna at our lunch in quaint Morro Bay CA.

In an age sadly filled with cramped flights without meal service where there is a charge for a pillow, our guests enjoy First Class sleeping car travel with beds and pillows! And with all meals in the dining car included for every train segment. Both the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief have Sightseer Lounge cars for our viewing pleasure and this way, you will have an up-close view of all of the majesty and beauty of the Great American West.

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Call 877-929-7245 to book your Great Western Explorer.

• First Class train travel with sleeping car accommodations aboard the famous California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief round-trip from Chicago. Our guests enjoy the stunning daylight passage through the Colorado Rockies over the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad ‘Main Line Through the Rockies’ and the glorious passage across the Navajolands of the Great Southwest, complete with Navajo Indian Guide commentary. Both trains offer Sightseer Observation Lounge cars and dining car service. All meals while aboard are included.
• Fully hosted from start to finish by professional tour manager that handles all of the details.
• Superb hotels throughout including the Four-Diamond rated Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, the opulent Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles and the historic La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona. Notably, many of our hotel stays are two-nights long.
• Many meals including breakfast daily.
• Extraordinary sightseeing like the storied Virginia & Truckee Railroad, a visit to Hearst Castle and steamer passage to lovely Catalina Island are featured and all admission fees are included.
• Train travel aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon, with a sightseeing tour and overnight stay at the South Rim; a highlight of our holiday that even includes breakfast at the fabled El Tovar Hotel.
• A leisurely, relaxed pace with plenty of free time for you to enjoy as you wish.
• Guaranteed departures!

Day 1 - Chicago Union Station
Leave Chicago this afternoon aboard the California Zephyr. We cross the Mississippi River at dinner time and speed west. (D)

Day 2 - The Colorado Rockies
En route with the stunning passage through the heart of the Colorado Rockies today over the fabled Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, a breathtaking train journey. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Reno
We arrive in Reno this morning at 820am and our rooms at the luxurious Grand Sierra Resort are ready for us, having been pre-booked for the night before. There is time to freshen up before our midday departure for historic Virginia City where we enjoy a ride on the newly restored Virginia & Truckee Railroad. An evening of leisure at the Grand Sierra Resort. (B)

Day 4 - Reno - Lake Tahoe
A glorious day as we travel to spectacular Lake Tahoe that includes a cruise aboard the Tahoe Queen Sternwheeler with time at Emerald Bay. We return to Grand Sierra at Reno the evening for a final night in this magnificent resort. (B)

Day 5 - Sacramento
A short scenic drive through the High Sierras this morning past Donner Lake brings us to Old Sacramento with a visit to its justly famed California State Railroad Museum. This afternoon followed by dinner aboard the legendary riverboat Delta King. Overnight at the superbly located Holiday Inn in Old Sacramento. (D)

Day 6 - Yosemite National Park
A drive through California’s lush Central Valley brings us to Yosemite, a place that mere words do not do justice to. We have a tour of the Valley floor including Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls and you will want to have your camera ready. Overnight is spent at the luxurious Tenaya Resort within the Park. (B)

Day 7 - Morro Bay
A special treat this morning with a ride on the Yosemite & Sugar Pine RR followed by a visit to the famed Big Trees before we drive west to the Coast with the evening at leisure in quaint Morro Bay, one of the most picturesque spots in California. (B, L)

Day 8 - Los Angeles
Today is a day of superlatives that begins with a visit to the grandest private home ever built in the country, extraordinary Hearst Castle and like Yosemite yesterday, words fail to capture the grandeur of this castle and its location overlooking the Pacific. After the Castle, we enjoy lunch in Morro Bay before another visual wonder, a 131 mile ride along the California Coast by train to downtown Los Angeles. Great beauty awaits in the City of Angels where our guests begin a two-night stay at the fabled Biltmore Hotel, the grande dame of Los Angeles hotels. (B, L)

Day 9 - Catalina Island
Every great train journey should have at least a short ocean cruise and today we set sail for quaint and nostalgic Avalon on lovely Catalina Islands, a magical place with quaint shops, restaurants and the famous casino. We return to the Biltmore this evening for a second night in the ultimate setting with frescoes by the Vatican painter. (D)

Day 10 - Santa Monica
We have left the morning free for you to enjoy the many sights of downtown Los Angeles with a midday departure for charming Santa Monica with a visit to its famed Pier, at the end of Sunset Blvd. With free time before traveling to Union Station via Hollywood Blvd past Mann’s Chinese Theatre. We enjoy an early dinner in Olvera St., where Los Angeles began before boarding the Southwest Chief bound for the Grand Canyon later tonight. (D)

Day 11 - Grand Canyon
We arrive in Flagstaff this morning where a stylish breakfast at Little America Hotel awaits before boarding the historic Grand Canyon Railway to South Rim. There we have a tour of this wonder of the world before staying overnight at the Grand Canyon. (B, L)

Day 12 - Winslow Arizona
We depart the Grand Canyon this morning and drive along the remains of historic Route 66 to Winslow where the perfect treat awaits, the magnificently restored La Posada Hotel, one of the famed Harvey House properties that welcomes travelers across the southwest. This awe-inspiring property, built for the Santa Fe Railroad is the appropriate ending point for a holiday that has shown us the best of the west. A farewell dinner tonight in the elegant main dining room. (D)

Day 13 - The Southwest Chief
The Southwest Chief makes a stop right at our hotel this morning and we are soon speeding across the Navajolands of Arizona. Later today, we cross the continental divide at Raton Pass. (B, L, D)

Day 14 - Chicago Union Station
We cross the Mississippi River this morning and arrive in Chicago this afternoon with memories of special places that will last a lifetime. (B)

   

   

   

Dates	Double	Single
June 5 - June 18	$3,895	$5,395
October 9 - October 22	$3,895	$5,395
Per Person Train Sleeping Accommodation Upgrade: Guests who wish to upgrade from the included roomette accommodations may purchase a Deluxe bedroom upgrade for a $800 supplement per person double occupancy and $800 for singles.