Our flight will deliver us to the Denver Internal Airport for the start of an exciting autumn adventure. Board a deluxe motorcoach and travel south along the Front Range to Colorado Springs. Check into our home for two nights at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Tonight we join our fellow travelers for a get-acquainted dinner. Meals: D

This morning, sit back and relax as the world’s highest Cog Train takes us to the top of America’s best-known mountain, Pike’s Peak. Gaze off as far as the eye can see over the beautiful Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains to the east. Lunch is on your own in the heart of Old Colorado City, once a bustling outpost during the gold rush days. This afternoon we admire the jutting spires and abstract monoliths of the Garden of the Gods, magnificently eroded red sandstone formations sculpted by nature millions of years ago. Enjoy a narrated tour of the park. Meals: B

Departing Colorado Springs, our first destination is a breathtaking one as we stop to view the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River. Hold your breath while standing on the highest suspension bridge in the world. Travel to Canon City and board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Enjoy some lunch in the Vista Dome car on this two-hour excursion through the 1,000 foot deep canyon. Return to Canon City and board our motorcoach for the trip to our next overnight in Alamosa, CO. Meals: B, L

Travel to Antonito where we board the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. This historic route was the original Rio Grande line through the Rockies and once carried precious metals over the Cumbres Pass. Our path takes us over steep grades and high trestles, through tunnels and narrow canyons. Continue on by motorcoach to our destination of Durango, CO for a two-night stay. Meals: B, L, D

Take a step back in time today and visit Mesa Verde National Park. Located in the southwest corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde offers a look at remarkably preserved cliff dwellings and pit houses. These were the homes of the Pueblo Indians prior to 1300 AD. As we enjoy the scenic wonders around us, a park guide will add insight into the evolution of the Pueblo culture. We return to Durango where the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to browse the shops along Main Street or just relax. Meals: B

This morning we’ll board the Durango Silverton Train to enjoy a half-day ride through the canyons of Colorado’s spectacular La Plata and San Juan Mountains. Drink in the beauty of snow-capped peaks and rushing mountain streams before arriving in the historic mining town of Silverton for lunch. Afterwards, we’ll travel over Red Mountain on the Million Dollar Highway. We arrive in Grand Junction for our overnight stay. Meals: B, L

The visual delights continue with a drive through the Colorado National Monument. The power of mother nature is evident when we view the brilliant orange and red sandstone formations carved by wind and rain over centuries. High spires, sheer-walled canyons, and deep gorges will make for stunning photographs. Continue to Glenwood Springs to grab lunch and explore this historic town on your own. Enjoy breathtaking beauty along the mighty Colorado River as we pass through the scenic Glenwood Canyon. Our overnight will be in Vail, one of Colorado’s premier ski resorts. Meals: B, D

Continuing with more spectacular scenery, we climb up and over the Gore Range this morning. The conductor calls “All Aboard” for the Georgetown Loop Railroad. This engineering marvel travels a corkscrew route and affords an incredible view of the Clear Creek Valley. After lunch in historic Georgetown, our final drive leads us through the foothills to our awaiting flight at the Denver airport. Meals: B