Historic Trains of the Old West & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
11 days | Denver to Denver
If you are a train buff, you’ll love riding the rails into the unspoiled scenic past of Colorado and New Mexico on this Historic Trains of the Old West & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with Globus.
On three off-the-beaten path train tours, you’ll explore the untamed beauty of the U.S. West. As well, enjoy visiting Denver’s revitalized Union Station and take a trolley tour through charming Santa Fe. Add the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to your U.S. West vacation for an experience you’ll never forget.
Globus provides everything you need for the perfect vacation – from hand-selected hotels to expert Local Guides and included VIP sightseeing access to the world’s iconic sites.
View additional Globus vacations.
Trip Highlights
- Witness the dramatic beauty of the Royal Gorge aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railway
- Journey through the magnificent mesas and canyons of the San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad
- Experience the rugged splendor of the Rockies aboard the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad
- Guided tour of the ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Swim in the famous Glenwood Hot Springs and spend the night at Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt
- Take a guided trolley tour through charming Santa Fe and visit El Santuario de Chimayo, a famous pilgrimage site
- Watch hundreds of hot air balloons take flight at the world’s largest balloon event – the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – including the incredible Mass Ascension and fiery Balloon Glow
Itinerary at a Glance
DAY 1: Arrive in Denver
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
DAY 2: Denver – Colorado Springs
Guided sightseeing in Denver. Scenic drive to Cañon City to board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for a train ride along Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge. Drive to Colorado Springs with a guided visit Garden of The Gods.
DAY 3: Colorado Springs – Albuquerque
Scenic drive to Albuquerque with free time this evening.
DAY 4: Albuquerque
Opening Ceremonies and Mass Balloon Ascension. Balloon Glow and After-Glow Fireworks show in the evening.
DAY 5: Albuquerque – Santa Fe
Scenic drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 6: Santa Fe
Guided trolley tour to San Miguel Mission, Palace of the Governors, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, and Loretto Chapel. Lunch at the Rancho de Chimayo followed by a visit to El Santuario De Chimayo.
DAY 7: Santa Fe – Durango
Visit Bandelier National Monument, home to Anasazi Puebloan cliff dwellings. Drive to Taos with time to enjoy Taos’ vibrant art and cultural scene. Continue on to Durango with free time in the evening.
DAY 8: Durango
Guided visit to Mesa Verde National Park, including the Spruce Tree House and the museum. Tour the D&SNG Railway Museum in Durango with the Curator.
DAY 9: Durango – Glenwood Springs
Scenic train trip on the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad through the San Juan Mountains en route to Silverton. Free time to explore Silverton before a scenic drive to Glenwood Springs.
DAY 10: Glenwood Springs – Denver
Scenic drive through the Rocky Mountains en route to Georgetown. Scenic train ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Drive to Denver for a farewell dinner this evening.
DAY 11: Denver
Your adventure ends with breakfast this morning.
Accommodations
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | Denver, CO
Comfort and convenience meet on this downtown corner of Denver at the perfectly placed and modern Hilton Garden Inn.
Embassy Suites by Hilton | Colorado Springs, CO
Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains within close proximity to the Air Force Academy and Garden of the Gods with spectacular views of Pikes Peak.
Hilton Garden Inn Uptown | Albuquerque, NM
Conveniently located with modern rooms and comforting amenities.
Hilton Historic Plaza | Santa Fe, NM
Housed in a landmark 300 year-old hacienda in historic downtown, this luxury boutique hotel captures the magic of the Southwest and its rich cultural heritage.
Doubletree Inn | Durango, CO
Nestled at the base of the mesa on the Animas River with a rustic and warm ambiance and within walking distance of downtown Durango.
Hotel Colorado | Glenwood Springs, CO
Settle in to the enriching history of this charming hotel located between the gorgeous Colorado mountains and directly across the street from the famous Glenwood Hot Springs.
Dates and Pricing
October 2022 and October 2023 | From $3,509 per person
Price does not include airfare to and from Denver. An air-inclusive vacation is available that includes free airport transfers and flights coordinated with vacation dates.
Contact us for complete details.
Inclusions
- One-of-a-kind Itinerary
- Globus Tour Director
- Breakfast Daily, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
- Expert Local Guides
- Hand-Selected Hotels
- VIP Sightseeing Access
About Globus
Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States. Globus offers travelers unparalleled tour and small group travel packages. The Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value.
At Globus, with a group of eight or more you can earn discounted or even free travel. Depending on the size of your group, you can take over an entire date for this tour.
Contact us to learn more about travel with Globus.
