American Southwest Explorer including Rocky Mountaineer

Discover the American Southwest, a captivating tapestry of landscapes, cultures, and wonders

The American Southwest is a vast and diverse region of the United States. It encompasses a variety of landscapes, cultures, and natural wonders that make it a unique and captivating destination. Journey from Denver and explore the region's red rock formations and desert vistas to its rich cultural heritage, the Southwest is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be explored. Journey through 2 days of extraordinary landscapes between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado. Vast canyons, inspiring deserts, natural archways and enchanting hoodoos are just a start

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10 Days from $7299/person CAD

Currency:

Family

Guided

Off The Beaten Path

Premium

Rail & Train

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Primary Location

Southwest USA, United States

Departures

2025 departures: May 11, June 15, July 20, August 10 & September 7

Included:

9-night hotel accommodations as specified or similar with a private bath and/or shower
2-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer with Silver Leaf Service including luggage handling, and rail station transfers in Glenwood Springs
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, and 1 lunch on the Rocky Mountaineer
Services of a professional multilingual Tour Manager throughout
Enjoy a city tour of Denver, the “Mile High City”
Discover the beauty of the Rocky Mountains by visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park
Experience Trail Ridge Road, appropriately known as the “Highway to the Sky”, offering incomparable views in every direction
Make your way through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota to Mount Rushmore and take in this one-of-a-kind work of art as well as America’s rich heritage
Travel through Bighorn National Forest where undisturbed rolling hills, alpine lakes, craggy cliffs, thick pine forests, and the Bighorn Mountains dominate the landscape
Visit the iconic Yellowstone National Park and admire its nature and wildlife
Explore Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah and the most populous city known for the Mormon community
Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms, and textures unlike any other in the world at Arches National Park
Transportation by a comfortable air-conditioned motor coach equipped with Wi-Fi throughout
Hotel, state, and local taxes, service charges, and porterage service (limit one piece of checked luggage per person)
Information kit

Not Included:

Airfare unless specified in the tour itinerary
Meals are not included in order to allow for more flexibility
Laundry, telephone, optional excursions, and other items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance
Gratuities
Pre and Post Accommodation
Airport Transfers
Everything that is not mentioned in included

Pricing Details

Click Book Online for pricing!

A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking
From price is CAD per person, based on double occupancy, and for travel in low season
The final price will vary and is also based on the month of travel
Prices are subject to change
The rail portion is conducted by the Rocky Mountaineer Hosts, there will not be a guide on the rail portion
Hotel services in the United States customarily do not include breakfast. If you do not wish to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant (where available), you may frequently find coffee shops and restaurants close by which serve good and inexpensive breakfasts. Some hotels do offer a continental breakfast. Usually, this continental breakfast is basic and contains coffee and pastries. Variations between the different hotels may result in the following also being available, cereal, cheese, fruit, etc
Each passenger traveling on an escorted tour is allowed one piece of checked baggage per person due to space limitations. Additional luggage will be charged at $7.00 per person per day (price is subject to change)
Due to the nature of this holiday, bags are handled many times, so a durable, reasonably sturdy, and clearly labeled bag is required. The Tour Manager will issue you a special luggage tag which should remain on your customer’s bag at all times to help ensure the bag is delivered to, and retrieved from, the hotel room at each destination
All coaches are equipped with air-conditioning and an onboard lavatory. Additionally, coaches may have the following onboard amenities: wi-fi, footrests, luggage nets, movable seats, individually adjustable air conditioning, etc
Complimentary breakfast may be offered by a hotel and discontinued at any time with or without notice
Child 11 years and under with 2 adults sharing existing bedding with minimum child age is 7 years (child rates are on request)
We can not accept bookings on motorcoach tours for children less than seven (7) years of age. For all tours, children and young adults under the age of 21 must be accompanied by and share their room with an adult at least 21 years of age. Some hotels may also require that at least one of the room occupants is 21 years of age or older

Optional Extras:

Moab Jet Boat
All optional excursions are subject to change and availability. Optional excursions are to be booked with the Tour Manager
Pre and post accommodation

Itinerary

DAY 1: DENVER ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at Denver International Airport, transfer independently to your hotel and you will meet your Tour Director.

Accommodation at the Doubletree by Hilton Denver Cherry Creek, Denver, or similar

DAY 2: DENVER > ROCKY MOUNTAINS > CHEYENNE

This morning, enjoy a short city tour of the "Mile High City", including the gold-domed State Capitol whose 13th step on the west side of the building is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level - one mile high. A short distance from Denver you'll enter Rocky Mountain National Park where you'll feel like you're on top of the world. Here, 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments.

And if you thought the journey to the park was beautiful, just wait until you experience Trail Ridge Road. Known appropriately as the "Highway to the Sky", and offering incomparable views in every direction, Trail Ridge Road winds past countless peaks, through tundra high above the tree line, and crosses the Continental Divide at 12,183 feet.

Continue to Cheyenne, Wyoming's capital city that embodies the spirit of the Old West. Considered the nation's railroad capital, Cheyenne is home to a collection of steam engines, including Old Number 4004, the world's largest steam locomotive and one of the eight remaining Big Boys on display throughout the country.

Accommodation at the Best Western Plus Frontier Inn, Cheyenne Wy, Cheyenne, or similar

DAY 3: CHEYENNE > MOUNT RUSHMORE > RAPID CITY

Your journey begins this morning with a visit to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Originally established as a private fur trading fort, this "grand old post" evolved into the largest and best-known military post on the Northern Plains and witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America's western expansion. Continue through the majestic beauty of South Dakota's Black Hills to Mount Rushmore National Memorial where you'll come face to face with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and America's rich heritage.

Accommodation at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Rapid City, or similar

DAY 4: RAPID CITY > BIGHORN MOUNTAINS > CODY

Today, crossing back into Wyoming en route to Cody, you'll travel through Bighorn National Forest where undisturbed rolling hills, alpine lakes, craggy cliffs, thick pine forests, and the Bighorn Mountains dominate the landscape. Upon arrival in Cody, you'll visit the Buffalo Bill Museum. Celebrating the spirit of the American West, including the culture and art that bring the heritage of Wyoming alive, the Buffalo Bill Museum focus' on the life and times of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the town founder, and a living legend. In the evening enjoy attractions that include rodeos, gunfight reenactments, and cowboy music (seasonal).

Accommodation at the Buffalo Bill, Cody, or similar

DAY 5: CODY > YELLOWSTONE

Today, take an unforgettable journey into America's first national park and nature's wonderland - Yellowstone National Park. Here, the Earth is in action with geysers, mountain ranges and rivers, waterfalls, and ancient volcanoes. The iconic spots - Old Faithful and Yellowstone Canyon - will be familiar from photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling experience. They're not just as good as you've heard - they're better. This mountain wildland is also home to eagles, grizzly and black bears, buffalo, elk, and much more, so you're bound to see wildlife wherever you go.

Accommodation at the Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, Yellowstone, or similar

DAY 6: YELLOWSTONE > SALT LAKE CITY

Today’s journey takes you through scenic Southern Idaho to Salt Lake City, the capital of the state of Utah and most populous, known for the Mormon Community. Upon arrival, enjoy views of the State Capitol Building and downtown’s historic Temple Square, home to the 6-spired Salt Lake Temple and domed Tabernacle of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, prior to arriving at your hotel.

Accommodation at the Crystal Inn, Salt Lake City, or similar

DAY 7: SALT LAKE CITY > CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK > DEAD HORSE STATE PARK > MOAB

Heading south this morning, you’ll pass through Provo, home to Brigham Young University, en route to Canyonlands National Park. Today you will see a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River & its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze & the Rivers themselves. We will visit some of the most scenic spots on the Island in the Sky mesa which rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Continue on to Moab for your stay tonight.

Accommodation at the MainStay Suites Moab near Arches National Park, Moab, or similar

DAY 8: MOAB > ARCHES NATIONAL PARK > MOAB

Today we visit Arches National Park, one of Utah’s Mighty 5. Once in the park, you’ll discover a landscape of contrasting colors landforms, and textures unlike any other in the world. With over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles and giant balanced rocks, this red rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations and inspire you with its most unique scenery. Return to hotel in the late afternoon.

Accommodation at the MainStay Suites Moab near Arches National Park, Moab, or similar

DAY 9: MOAB > GLENWOOD SPRINGS (ON BOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER) > AFTERNOON DEPARTURE FROM MOAB

Today you will board the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train for an unforgettable 2-day journey through extraordinary landscapes between Moab, Utah and Glenwood Springs, CO. You will be amazed by the vast canyons, inspiring deserts, natural archways, and enchanting hoodoos. Get comfortable as you depart from Moab, where you’ll set out on the journey to Glenwood Springs.

Gazing out your window, take in the scenic views of the stunning American Southwest. Before arriving in the resort town of Glenwood Springs, take a moment and admire the stunning mountain views of Mount Garfield and the vibrant Ruby Canyon.

Accommodation at the Hotel Denver, Glenwood Springs, or similar

DAY 10: GLENWOOD SPRINGS (ON BOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER) > DENVER DEPARTURE

Leave beautiful Glenwood Springs rested as you continue heading east for another day of extraordinary views toward Denver. Enjoy a hot breakfast while watching the morning sun bounce off the rugged canyons as you tour along the Colorado River.

Let the hosts captivate you with stories of the region as you take in the views of the picturesque canyons before reaching the Colorado Rockies. Cross the Continental Divide, while cutting through the Moffat Tunnel. The tour ends upon arrival at the Train Station in Denver.