High Tracks & The Mighty Five

Depart the UK on your chosen flight to Denver, Colorado. Upon arrival, you will make your own way to the Sheraton Denver Downtown, where you spend the first three nights of your adventure.

You have two full days to explore the delights of Denver – and there are so many to choose from.Experience this walkable city with spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains, outdoor cafes, farm-to-table cuisine, local breweries serving craft beer and plenty of shopping. Explore Denver’s creative side at the Denver Art Museum, with its famous American Indian art collection or see a concert under the stars at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. The Mile High City has many attractions to enjoy. Make sure you include a visit to historic Union Station with its famed architecture, and to the Dairy Block – a cool, urban district. The Colorado State Capitol and Molly Brown House Museum are also worth some time.  

Today you hit the tracks on a magical rail journey with Rocky Mountaineer. Rockies to the Red Rocks is filled with location highlights best seen by train, including Ruby Canyon, Mount Garfield, and Moffat Tunnel. Your journey starts in Denver. As you hear the whistle blow, board the train, take your seat, and get ready to start your journey alongside the Colorado River through a series of canyons and rugged landscapes. As you enjoy breakfast and a beverage, take in the scenic views of the Gross Reservoir dam. Built in 1954, it has a surface area of 440 acres with a spillway that sits at 7,225 feet in elevation. The route slowly gains elevation before reaching the Continental Divide. Here you’ll pass through the historic Moffat Tunnel and emerge on the western side of the Continental Divide. This railway tunnel opened in 1928 and cuts through 6.3 miles of mountainous terrain. Enjoy a three-course, regionally inspired lunch as the onboard Hosts share stories about the region you travel through. Make sure you keep your camera near by as you travel along the Colorado River through a series of captivating canyons, including Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as these canyons are the perfect place to spot pronghorns, deer, and eagles. Today’s journey ends in the historic town of Glenwood Springs. Enjoy your evening at your own leisure in this true Wild West town, before relaxing in your hotel and looking forward to tomorrow’s onward rail adventure.

This morning, you’ll board the train for another day of incredible scenery as you head south west past mountain vistas, desert cliffs, and vibrant sandstone mountains. Enjoy a two-course hot breakfast as you pass by Parachute Creek and Mount Logan towards De Beque Canyon, a 15-mile long narrow canyon with stair-step cliffs of sedimentary rock layers. As you continue west, look out for Mount Garfield. At 6,765 feet, it’s the highest point of the Book Cliffs so it should be easy to spot! These sandstone mountains stretch nearly 200 miles from west to east – another great excuse to get your camera out! The route continues to follow the Colorado River as you approach one of the most majestic and colourful canyons along the journey. Admire the stunning red sandstone cliffs of Ruby Canyon, accessible only by train or from the river. This canyon is 25 miles long and is appropriately named after the vibrant ruby-toned cliffs that line the canyon walls. After crossing over the Colorado-Utah state line, look out for Mount Peale. It’s the highest point of the La Sal Mountains at 12,726 feet. Due to it’s immense height, these mountains are usually snow-capped until early summer. As you reach Moab, you’ll be greeted by the brilliant sandstone mountains that the American Southwest is so famous for. You’ll also get your first glimpse of the iconic Arches National Park; a 73,234-acre wonderland of geological marvels. Depart the train and travel to downtown Moab via a motorcoach transfer. Welcome to the scarlet city! The evening you will meet your fellow travelling companions for your onward motorcoach tour. (Please note: This tour starts in Grand Junction and you are joining the tour on day 2)

Admire the exquisite natural sandstone shapes that dot the landscape in Arches National Park, which houses the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Beyond the arches, you’ll also find sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, pinnacles and spires. Learn how Mother Nature’s magic touch has left her indelible mark with wind and rain when you view or embark on a strenuous hike up to famous Delicate Arch. Continue your exploration with a walk to Double Arch, Landscape Arch or Turret Arch. This afternoon is yours at leisure. We suggest you take a jeep tour to Canyonlands National Park, which was a location included on day one of the tour, when the rest of your group came in from Grand Junction.  

See and hike amongst the other-worldly hoodoos of Goblin Valley State Park this morning – these mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles make for a memorable hike and photo opportunity before you arrive at Capitol Reef National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. In the evening, enjoy the rustic charm of this special resort, located on the edge of the park, offering truly spectacular landscapes, and breathtaking views.

Lace up your boots for an exhilarating morning hike in Capitol Reef National Park, whose colorful canyons and capitol-shaped domes provide the perfect backdrop for an adventure. Continue your journey along an “All American Road”, Highway 12, one of America’s most scenic highways, before embarking on a hike in Kodachrome Basin State Park. Here, you will have the opportunity to select the trail that best suits your adventurous spirit. This dramatic landscape features striking layered stone spires which are a sight to behold. You continue to Bryce Canyon National Park, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

You’ll have a full free day to relax or explore the eerie landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park today. Everyone will be able to self select hikes and walks that best suit them, from leisurely to strenuous, from an hour to all day. Admire the rusty red limestone spires that rise up surreally from the desert floor to meet Utah’s skies from scenic viewpoints or follow one of the many trails into the hoodoos and beyond.

A pink, red and orange canvas awaits visitors to Coral Pink Sands State Park. Climb up the coral-hued dunes to admire the wind sculpted ripples of the dunes. Embrace today’s Make Travel Matter experience as you hike down into Antelope Canyon in The Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. The local Navajo guides will explain how slot canyons are formed as you are awed by the dramatic beauty surrounding you. You’ll then do a short hike to see Horseshoe Bend and the flowing Colorado River which has carved its way through the red-colored sandstone.

Enjoy a full free day to spend as you wish in the water wonderland that is Lake Powell. Relax and rejuvenate on the lake or consider joining one of the organized optional activities, like the famed Colorado River Float Trip, kayaking through one of the canyons or a helicopter ride up to the top of Tower Butte for 360′ views of the world below you.

One spectacular natural sight gives way to another when you drive along the Vermillion Cliffs, witness the striking colors as we wander westward. Arriving into Zion National Park late morning, select from many fantastic hikes including Watchman Trail, Hidden Canyon, Angel’s Landing, Observation Point and the Narrows. They range from easy to strenuous. Later, this evening, you’ll join your new friends and Travel Director for a well-deserved Farewell Dinner.

Don’t leave Zion without a morning hike under your belt. You’ll have the whole morning to spend as you wish before departing for Las Vegas mid-afternoon. Once you arrive into the Entertainment Capital of the World, settle into your hotel where you will stay for the final three nights of your adventure. 

You have two full days… and nights… to enjoy the spectacle which is Las Vegas! This is truly a ‘must see’ destination offering a near perfect climate year round. Experience the shopping, dining and nightlife of the strip, or head down to Fremont Street and see the glitz and glamour of the past. Don’t forget to pre book a helicopter trip out to the Grand Canyon, to give you a birds eye view of one of the most iconic sights in the world. You may also want to see Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire, bith can be arranged on a sightseeing tour. 

This morning your adventure concludes. You independently make your way to Las Vegas International Airport, and check in for your flight back to the UK.