We are now accepting bookings for all of our spectacular worldwide tours.
Read More Amazing Southwest and Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour
The spectacular U.S. Southwest boasts some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes, especially during the Fall when it comes ablaze with colour.
Our tour takes in the incredible landscapes of the Rocky Mountains as well as Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion). The highlight will be our 2-day rail journey onboard the new Rocky Mountaineer route, which will capture the ever-changing scenery of snowcapped mountains, golden hues of light crossing vast red canyons and a variety of wildlife! Onboard, our attendant will entertain us with interesting commentary and ensure our utmost comfort.
There are two types of service aboard the train. SilverLeaf Service includes hot breakfasts & lunches served at your seat, and complimentary wine, beer, spirits & non-alcoholic drinks throughout the rail trip, as you enjoy the spectacular scenery through the oversized glass-dome windows, or the outdoor viewing platform. SilverLeaf Plus Service offers all of the above, plus access to a lounge car offering signature cocktails, and an elevated dining experience.
After disembarking in Moab we’ll continue to explore, via coach, the stunning other-worldly terrain of Utah - a stone playground laden with hoodoos, arches and goblins!
Tour Highlights:
• Denver - “Gateway to the Rockies” & “Mile High City”
• Rocky Mountaineer luxurious 2-day rail journey
• Arches National Park – natural stone arches
• Spectacular Canyonlands by Night Dinner Cruise
• Dead Horse Point – as captivating as the Grand Canyon
• Goblin Valley – sandstone “goblins”, similar to Mars
• Capitol Reef – home to the Waterpocket Fold
• Bryce National Park - “hoodoos” and rocky temples
• Dark Sky Experience (extraordinary stargazing)
• Broadway performance at the Red Rock Amphitheater
• Zion National Park - canyon walls & massive monoliths
• Salt Lake City - with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
* This tour will suit only the fit and active traveler.
Itinerary / Excursions
We depart for Denver - “Gateway to the Rockies”. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel, with the balance of the day at leisure.
Our tour of the “Mile High City” features both Victorian and modern architecture with the Rocky Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop. We’ll visit 2 museums: the impressive Colorado History Museum, as well as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" museum dedicated to the survivor of the Titanic disaster! This evening is our Welcome Dinner.
This morning we board the Rocky Mountaineer for our 2-day, luxurious rail adventure. As we cross the Continental Divide, we’ll take in the spectacular views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River before arriving at the resort town of Glenwood Springs, known as “land of water” by the Ute people. This healing town boasts 50 hot springs with natural vapour caves. Breakfast and lunch is included onboard with an overnight in Glenwood Springs.
We continue our rail journey and cross the Colorado-Utah border, with stunning mountain views all around. Red sandstone landscapes emerge as we approach Moab. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to explore before we head out to Arches National Park, which contains the largest concentration (over 2000) of natural stone arches in the world. After taking the scenic route around the park there will be a short guided walking tour.
Our first visit is Dead Horse State Park - an unglamorous name for one of Utah’s most awesome parks. Towering high above the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point provides a breathtaking view of this other-worldly landscape. We continue on to Canyonlands National Park - a mystical region of sculptured mesas and buttes. You may recognize the scenery from western movies. This evening, we enjoy the spectacular Canyonlands by Night Dinner Cruise.
We visit Goblin Valley State Park, unlike any other place in the world. With a landscape covered in sandstone “goblins” and other odd formations, this park is often compared to Mars and is the set of many “otherworldly” movies. We will have time to walk among the nooks and gnomes here. Our next visit is Capitol Reef National Park, which features petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history. We overnight in Torrey.
Enjoy the awesome scenery along Highway 12 as we head towards the magnificent Bryce Canyon National Park. Tonight, enjoy some wonderful western food and entertainment at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill, followed by a Stargazing Experience with local astronomers. Bryce is recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as one of the best places to view night stars.
We explore Bryce Canyon National Park, where millions of years of water and wind erosion have formed thousands of delicately carved spires (hoodoos) and horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters rising in brilliant colours from the valley floor. We will stop at the best vantage points with time to walk one of the trails. Later we proceed to Zion National Park - one of America’s oldest and most impressive.
This morning we view, from various vantage points, the multi-coloured steep rock cliffs of Zion (which means “peaceful resting place”). There will be time to enjoy the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. The river flows to the Emerald Pools, which have waterfalls and a hanging garden. Later, we will visit the quaint town of St. George for a musical performance.
A scenic route takes us to Salt Lake City, with a stop at the Sundance Resort - owned by Robert Redford and committed to the balance of art, nature and community. We’ll enjoy lunch in a setting surrounded by art, then continue to the capital of Utah.
This city is home to the Mormon culture, music, great food and dynamic history. Temple Square sits in the center of the city and is known for its museums, visitor centers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Beehive, the impeccable genealogy tracing center and so much more. This evening is our Farewell Dinner!
We transfer to the airport and fly home.
Print Tour Info
Senior Discovery Tours © 2018. All Rights Reserved.