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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Colorado Rail Experience

Eight-day Colorado Rocky Mountain rail tour on six heritage trains

Illustration of Colorado Rail Experience

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour through Colorado's Rocky Mountains and into northern New Mexico, featuring rides on six heritage narrow-gauge and scenic railroads. Travelers experience the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which runs along the Animas River through the San Juan Mountains; the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in First Class vista-dome cars above dramatic gorge scenery; the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railroad climbing to America's Mountain at 14,115 feet; the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a working heritage line since the 1880s; the Leadville, Colorado & Southern crossing the Continental Divide; and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, North America's longest and highest narrow-gauge steam rail route, which crosses the Colorado-New Mexico border thirteen times. Coach excursions include the red sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods. The tour suits history lovers interested in Gold Rush mining towns, repeat rail travelers seeking varied heritage rail experiences, and photographers drawn to high mountain scenery and vintage locomotives.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the route sequence, hotels, and meal inclusions with Great Rail Journeys before booking.
  • Accommodation standards and the full list of included meals are not detailed in the available information.

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Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included in this tour?
Great Rail Journeys includes rides on six heritage railroads: the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Royal Gorge Route Railroad (First Class vista-dome), Manitou & Pikes Peak Railroad, Georgetown Loop Railroad, and Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour operated by Great Rail Journeys, with organized coach transfers and guided visits.
What destinations are covered?
The eight-day tour travels through Colorado and into New Mexico, visiting Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Georgetown, Leadville, Durango, Silverton, Garden of the Gods, and the Cumbres-Toltec border region.
How high does the tour go?
The Manitou & Pikes Peak Railroad ascends to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, known locally as America's Mountain.
How much of the tour involves rail travel?
The majority of the eight days involve journeys on the six named heritage railroads, with coach transfers between towns and to attractions like Garden of the Gods.

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