Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
11 Days Starting and ending in Denver, Colorado
Visiting: Arrive In Denver, Colorado, Denver, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Santa Fe. Excursion To Chimayo, Bandelier National Monument, Taos, Durango, Durango. Excursion To Mesa Verde National Park, Narrow-Gauge Railroad, Silverton, Glenwood Springs, Georgetown Loop Railroad
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NCS-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
All aboard! Calling all trainspotters and railway enthusiasts! You’ll love riding the rails into the unspoiled scenic past of Colorado. This tour of the U.S. West is just the ticket to chug through the untamed beauty of the Royal Gorge aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railway; through the magnificent mesas and canyons of San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad; and through the rugged splendor of the Rockies aboard the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad. You’ll also pick up steam with visits to Colorado Spring’s Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings, Chimayo’s famous pilgrimage site, and Glenwood Spring’s historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt. Train buffs will also enjoy time in Durango’s D&SNG Railway Museum. Chasing rainbows is easy as hundreds of hot-air balloons take flight and turn the already stunning atmosphere of New Mexico into a kaleidoscope of dizzying color during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Add this special event to witness the incredible Mass Ascension, fiery Balloon Glow, evening fireworks, and other colorful rituals of the world’s largest balloon event.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Denver,Colorado
Location: Arrive In Denver, Colorado
Accommodation Name: The Westin Denver Downtown
ARRIVE IN DENVER, COLORADO Welcome to Colorado! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.TOUR HIGHLIGHT ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains is the perfect place to kick back with a view of the sunset over Mount Evans while enjoying a local IPA or coffee after dinner. Ask your Tour Director for the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.
Day 2: Denver,Royal Gorge Route Railroad,Colorado Springs
Location: Denver, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Colorado Springs
Accommodation Name: Embassy Suites by Hilton Colorado Springs
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DENVER–ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROAD–COLORADO SPRINGS All Aboard the Royal Gorge! Depart on a scenic drive south to the Royal Gorge for a unique experience on the spectacular Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Later, travel to Colorado Springs to explore Garden of The Gods, featuring 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snowcapped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE When President Teddy Roosevelt rode the rails through the Royal Gorge in 1905, he described the experience as “the trip that bankrupts the English language.” You’ll be speechless too on this train ride through the breathtaking scenery of the Royal Gorge as it cuts a deep path through the Rockies along the Arkansas River.
Day 3: Colorado Springs,Albuquerque,New Mexico
Location: Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Uptown
Meals Included: Breakfast
COLORADO SPRINGS–ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO The Land of Enchantment Leave Colorado Springs and travel south into New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment,” to visit Albuquerque – home of the annual Balloon Fiesta. Enjoy free time this evening before an early morning adventure tomorrow! (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL EVENT What began as a gathering of enthusiasts with just 13 hot-air balloons more than 50 years ago has grown into the largest ballooning event in the world – the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. This tradition has grown to an annual event drawing people from around the world to witness hundreds of brightly hued hot-air balloons ascend at once over the landscape of New Mexico. Truly enchanting!
Day 4: Albuquerque
Location: Albuquerque
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Uptown
Meals Included: Breakfast
ALBUQUERQUE Up, Up & Away! Get ready for the world-famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! Experience this morning’s pre-dawn Opening Ceremonies and the unforgettable Mass Balloon Ascension. See Old Town Albuquerque before returning to the hotel for free time before marveling at the popular Balloon Glow and Fireworks show. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC EXPERIENCES Attend the uplifting opening ceremonies and mass balloon ascension where hundreds of hot-air balloons lift off and turn the sky into a virtual rainbow of designs. Leading the ascension is a balloon adorned with the American flag, rising off the ground to the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
Day 5: Albuquerque,Santa Fe
Location: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Accommodation Name: La Posada de Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast
ALBUQUERQUE–SANTA FE The American Southwest Travel, via the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, to the charming city of Santa Fe. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Experience the rich history and culture of Santa Fe - home to an abundance of art galleries amid its diverse visual arts scene of ancient traditional art to modern contemporary works that celebrate the desert beauty of this ruggedly beautiful landscape.
Day 6: Santa Fe. Excursion To Chimayo
Location: Santa Fe. Excursion To Chimayo
Accommodation Name: La Posada de Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
SANTA FE. EXCURSION TO CHIMAYO Enchanted Jewels Begin with a captivating glimpse into the diversity of folk art from around the world. The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe allows you to explore a vast collection of traditional textiles, ceramics, paintings and other unique objects that showcase the rich cultural heritage of different communities. Then visit nearby Chimayo, founded in the 17th century by Spanish settlers. Enjoy lunch in a century-old adobe home at Rancho de Chimayo, serving outstanding New Mexican cuisine. Visit [LF] Santuario De Chimayo and learn of the miraculous healing powers that still attract thousands of pilgrims each year. Return to Santa Fe, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORY & HERITAGE Experience the spiritual traditions of the American Southwest in Chimayo. This historic area attracts locals and guests alike who visit its church sanctuary, which holds sacred soil known for its healing powers. Experience this legendary, authentic New Mexican tradition!
Day 7: Santa Fe,Bandelier National Monument,Taos,Durango,Colorado
Location: Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument, Taos, Durango, Colorado
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango
Meals Included: Breakfast
SANTA FE–BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT–TAOS–DURANGO, COLORADO Ancient Cultures Depart Santa Fe and explore the ancient Anasazi Puebloans, their cliff dwellings, and the museum at Bandelier National Monument. Visit the adobe town of Taos for free time. Continue into Colorado for Durango, a town born in the Gold Rush and silver-mining era. Tonight, spend free time browsing the many shops on Main Street or enjoy a cold pint at one of the city’s local breweries. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM Explore the age-old dwellings of Bandelier National Monument. Envision a way of life long since passed to gaze at mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and several thousand ancestral Pueblo dwellings sharing 33,000 acres of designated wilderness. Bandelier's human history is traced to over 11,000 years ago when nomadic hunter-gatherers followed migrating wildlife across the land. By 1150 AD, ancestral Pueblo people began to build more permanent settlements. This incredible site is as inspiring as the Pueblo blessing: “Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth.”
Day 8: Durango. Excursion To Mesa Verde National Park
Location: Durango. Excursion To Mesa Verde National Park
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango
Meals Included: Breakfast
DURANGO. EXCURSION TO MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK Stone HousesToday, visit Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Durango for a guided tour of the D&SNG Railway Museum with free time to see the exhibits including an extensive model train layout. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTANCIENT DWELLINGS See Spruce Tree House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings. Also, visit the museum that depicts the story of the people who once thrived on this 8,000-foot ancient plateau (now Mesa Verde National Park). Stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace (one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings).
Day 9: Durango,Narrow-Gauge Railroad,Silverton,Glenwood Springs
Location: Durango, Narrow-Gauge Railroad, Silverton, Glenwood Springs
Accommodation Name: Hotel Colorado
Meals Included: Breakfast
DURANGO–NARROW-GAUGE RAILROAD–SILVERTON–GLENWOOD SPRINGS All Aboard in Durango! Board the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest. Continue to Glenwood Springs for an overnight stay at the historic [LF] Hotel Colorado. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Board the legendary Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad steam train as it hugs steep canyon walls to wind its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon. Arrive in Silverton, once a major mining town where an early miner proclaimed: “We have no gold, but silver by the ton!” LOCAL FAVORITEACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy a stay at the historic Hotel Colorado in beautiful Glenwood Springs. This elegant Rocky Mountain retreat has been a welcomed respite for travelers for more than 125 years is near the town’s famous hot springs. Special guests President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown have enjoyed its gracious accommodations in the heart of the Colorado Rockies; it’s storied history also includes time as a Naval Hospital in the 1940’s and playground for notorious characters such as the Chicago gangsters during the Roaring 20’s.
Day 10: Glenwood Springs,Georgetown Loop Railroad,Denver
Location: Glenwood Springs, Georgetown Loop Railroad, Denver
Accommodation Name: The Westin Denver Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
GLENWOOD SPRINGS–GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILROAD–DENVER Making Tracks in the Old West Travel through the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains to historic Georgetown for a scenic ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Continue east to Denver, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Climb aboard the historic Georgetown Railroad and be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Rockies. Envision the old railroad days as you roll through stunning views of aspen trees, pines, and firs with views of Clear Creek Canyon
Day 11: Denver
Location: Denver
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more in Denver? Additional nights are available for purchase.
DENVER Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more in Denver? Additional nights are available for purchase. (B)
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Accommodation in various hotels including The Westin Denver Downtown, Embassy Suites by Hilton Colorado Springs, Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Uptown, La Posada de Santa Fe, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango, and Hotel Colorado.
-
Meals
Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, and 2 Dinners are included.
-
Transportation
Transportation for all scenic drives and train rides including the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, and Georgetown Loop Railroad.
-
Tour Director
Services of a professional Tour Director throughout the trip.
-
Guided Tours
Guided tours and excursions to various locations including Garden of The Gods, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Museum of International Folk Art, Bandelier National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park.
-
Special Events
Attendance at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta including the Mass Balloon Ascension, Balloon Glow, and Fireworks show.
What's Not Included
-
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Hot air balloon rides are not arranged by the tour operator and should be scheduled independently on Day 2 of the tour.
-
Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages not mentioned in the inclusions.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately by the traveler.
-
Optional Activities
Any optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary.
-
Gratuities
Gratuities for the Tour Director, drivers, and local guides are not included.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinner
Notes
Enjoy spectacular fall colors on our Fall Foliage departure: October 1 & 8 departures (Mother Nature permitting). The Globus Family of Brands insurance does not allow us to arrange hot air balloon rides for our guests. Hot air balloon rides should be scheduled on Day 2 of the tour and any missed sightseeing will not be refunded. Balloon Fiesta schedule of events are subject to change and will be confirmed on tour. Guests should be prepared for sustained walking and standing.
UNESCO Sites
Mesa Verde National Park
Accommodation
Denver:Hilton Denver City CenterColorado Springs:Embassy Suites by Hilton Colorado SpringsAlbuquerque:Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque UptownSanta Fe:La Posada de Santa FeDurango:DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel DurangoGlenwood Springs:Hotel Colorado
Check out our Q&As
-
What is the highlight of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta?
The highlight of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the Mass Balloon Ascension, where hundreds of hot-air balloons lift off and turn the sky into a virtual rainbow of designs. The event begins with a pre-dawn Opening Ceremony and includes a popular Balloon Glow and Fireworks show in the evening.
-
What can I expect during the visit to Mesa Verde National Park?
During the visit to Mesa Verde National Park, you will see Spruce Tree House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings, and visit the museum that depicts the story of the people who once thrived on this ancient plateau. You will also stop at a great vantage point for pictures of Cliff Palace, one of the largest of the 700-year-old Anasazi dwellings.
-
What activities are included in the excursion to Chimayo?
The excursion to Chimayo includes a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, lunch at the Rancho de Chimayo, and a visit to Santuario De Chimayo to learn about its miraculous healing powers. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Santa Fe.
-
What is special about the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad ride?
The Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad ride is a scenic journey through San Juan National Forest, where the train hugs steep canyon walls and winds its way through Rio de las Animas Canyon. The ride ends in Silverton, a historic mining town.
-
What can I do during my free time in Durango?
During your free time in Durango, you can browse the many shops on Main Street or enjoy a cold pint at one of the city's local breweries.
-
What is the significance of the Bandelier National Monument visit?
The visit to Bandelier National Monument allows you to explore ancient Anasazi Puebloan cliff dwellings and learn about their history. The site includes mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and several thousand ancestral Pueblo dwellings, with human history traced back over 11,000 years.
-
What is included in the tour of the D&SNG Railway Museum?
The tour of the D&SNG Railway Museum in Durango includes a guided tour and free time to see the exhibits, which feature an extensive model train layout.
-
What can I expect during the ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad?
During the ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, you will travel through the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains, experiencing stunning views of aspen trees, pines, and firs with views of Clear Creek Canyon. The ride immerses you in the rugged beauty of the Rockies.
-
What is the accommodation highlight in Glenwood Springs?
The accommodation highlight in Glenwood Springs is the historic Hotel Colorado, an elegant Rocky Mountain retreat that has welcomed travelers for more than 125 years. Notable guests include President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt and the 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions