Beautiful Colorado Rail & Drive

Arrive in Denver, CO and pick up your rental car. There are no planned activities today, so initial exploration of the city is welcome. Unique dining options abound, and there are great family-friendly attractions such as the Denver Botanical Gardens and the Denver Zoo. Overnight Denver.

After breakfast, a scenic 50-minute drive takes travelers from Denver to Georgetown, Colorado, where the Georgetown Loop Railroad awaits. Departure time for the train is 10:45 a.m. Aboard the historic narrow-gauge railroad, riders enjoy a 3-mile adventure through the Clear Valley Creek area to Silver Plume and back. The loop route includes an elevation increase of over 640 feet while crossing four bridges and navigating through two loops. Riders enjoy comfortable bench seating in Coach Class during the journey, which lasts just over an hour. The day continues from Georgetown with a 2-hour drive to Colorado Springs for the first of two overnights. Overnight Colorado Springs.

The second-largest city in Colorado, Colorado Springs has plenty to see and do including the top park in the United States, Garden of the Gods. Or consider an excursion to Manitou Springs to visit Pike's Peak and enjoy dramatic views over the surrounding mountains, the "Bottomless Pit" and the distant city. Overnight Colorado Springs.

On the fourth day, guests travel from Colorado Springs to Durango, Colorado. The trip takes approximately 5 1/2 hours to complete, yet there are plenty of scenic stops to extend the trip, should travelers desire. The final stretch of the journey takes drivers through San Juan National Forest, where natural views are bountiful and animal life is abundant. Once in Durango, travelers have the option to explore the town on their own. There is a charming historic Downtown area, as well as many great museums and attractions to explore. This is the first of two overnights in Durango.

Prepare for an all-day adventure between Durango and Silverton on the fifth day of this trip. The train leaves the Durango station at 8:45 a.m., so arrive in plenty of time to explore the onsite museum prior to boarding. Along the 45-mile round-trip route, riders pass over one of the West's last free-flowing rivers, the Animas River, a total of five times. Other notable scenery along the way to the Silverton station include colorful canyons, tall mountain peaks of up to 14,000 feet, farm land, old mining camps and stagecoach routes, and more. The journey ends at approximately 6 p.m. at which time you return to Durango for the night.

Travelers rise bright and early on the sixth day to make the beautiful 3-hour journey from Durango to Antonito, Colorado. The route takes drivers back through San Juan National Forest and along the edge of Carson National Forest, as well, which makes for spectacular surroundings the whole way to Antonito.

This morning, enjoy a trip aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Arrive in time to board the 10 a.m. train, which heads to the Chama Depot in New Mexico. Mountain peaks and expansive valleys make up much of the scenery on the first part of the trip; however, further sights include a lava mesa, an abandoned railroad town, several tunnels and impressive Toltec Gorge. The train does stop for lunch in the town of Osier, Colorado before continuing through to Cumbres Pass, which is the highest railway pass in the United States. From Chama, New Mexico, a motorcoach returns guests to the depot in Antonito.

Back on the ground, travelers head over to the town of Alamosa for overnight accommodations.

Today, travelers begin their day by traveling from Alamosa to Canon City, Colorado. The whole morning is open to make the 2 1/2-hour journey, so sightseeing along the way is welcome. In Canon City, arrive at the Royal Gorge Route Railroad Santa Fe Depot for 12:30 p.m. boarding on the coach train. Dining is available on board in the Parlor and Bar Car, for convenience, and drinks are also served. A ride upon this historic railway allows travelers to look over the 1,000-foot cliffs of the Royal Gorge, as well as over the Arkansas River.

When the ride concludes at approximately 2:30 p.m., travelers make the final stretch of their trip and return back to Denver, Colorado. The evening is completely open for relaxation, exploration or general sightseeing. Overnight in Denver.

Today is open for you to explore Denver on your own. There is plenty to see and do; visit the Denver Art Museum, book a rafting tour, a brewery tour, or take a day trip to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park or the city of Boulder. Overnight in Denver.

This beautiful Colorado journey concludes on the ninth day. Return your vehicle to the car rental company before making your way home via the local airport or Denver's rail station.