Discover the Mountain States featuring Rocky Mountaineer

As you arrive in Salt Lake City today, make your way to your downtown hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to get acquainted with the offerings of Salt Lake City. Perhaps visit Temple Square to see the ornate Salt Lake Temple or meander through Red Butte Garden. If you want to explore the natural side of the city, Millcreek Canyon is a wonderful place to hike. Overnight Salt Lake City.

Depart Salt Lake City on a southbound route headed for Moab. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel for check-in, and spend the rest of the afternoon sightseeing through Moab or enjoying the many offerings of this quaint town. There are  endless boutique shops to pop in and out of and lovely art galleries displaying the region's Southwest-inspired art. There is also an incredible array of restaurants to choose from here, including those that serve Southwest fare and those that specialize in more worldly offerings. 

This evening, dinner is served while overlooking the Colorado River. You are treated to a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner in Canyonlands National Park followed by a nighttime cruise on the river. The canyon walls that surround are illuminated in moving lights, and as the boat meanders through the water at a leisurely pace, enjoy music and stories about the park and its history. The 3-hour cruise is not an experience that is quickly forgotten.  Overnight Moab. 

Take the morning at leisure to continue your explorations of Moab and the scarlet nature that surrounds. After lunch make your way to Moab's train station, where your train, the  Rocky Mountaineer, awaits. This train is the pinnacle of luxury rail travel in North America and offers superb service and even better views as you travel from Moab to Glenwood Springs, CO. Settle into your comfortable seat, and prepare to be in awe of the changing landscape. You may wish to venture out to the open-air viewing platform for an even more immersive experience. Scenic highlights of the day's journey include Mount Garfield and Ruby Canyon near the Colorado-Utah border and Mount Logan and Parachute Creek as the train ventures further into Colorado. The  Rocky Mountaineer arrives in the stunning resort town of Glenwood Springs this evening. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. Overnight Glenwood Springs. 

• Dinner

Your train departs early this morning with Denver as the destination. Enjoy sights of Gore and Byers Canyons, then follow along the course of the Colorado River into the mountains, presenting the immense grandeur of Colorado's backcountry. Toast to a wonderful adventure as the train passes through the Moffat Tunnel and crosses the Continental Divide. The  Rocky Mountaineer passes by Gross Reservoir Dam before the Denver skyline comes into view and the train arrives at Union Station. Because your arrival is set for early afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to begin your explorations of the Mile High City. The city is a feast for the senses and includes fantastic scenery, a booming culinary scene and plenty of fresh mountain air to top it all off. You may wish to spend your day exploring the offerings of downtown. Maybe explore 16th Street Mall, visit Skyline Park or visit one of the many museums, such as the Denver Art Museum. Overnight Denver.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today, explore the stunning natural playground that surrounds Denver on a half-day guided tour. The excursion departs from Union Station and takes you to some of the best sites of the Rockies. Venture past Mt. Evans and to places like Bear Creek Canyon and Squaw Pass. The tour pauses at Red Rocks Amphitheater so you may hike around and also offers a coffee stop in the charming town of Evergreen. Before returning to the city, enjoy a visit to Echo Lake Park, from which inspiring views of the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains abound. After the last stop, return to Union Station with the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Denver.

Your adventure through the deserts and red rocks of Utah and the forested mountains of Colorado concludes this morning.