- There are approximately 10 historic and scenic railroads in Colorado.Colorado image by michael langley from Fotolia.com
Railway vacations and tours are fairly common in the state of Colorado. Each travels through portions of Colorado's scenic landscape like the Rio Grande, the Royal Gorge, the Georgetown Loop and some through the majestic Rocky Mountains. There are several day-trip train tours available, in addition to overnight vacations lasting anywhere from two to 12 nights. - This 12-day vacation and tour aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr Train travels through the Colorado Rockies, the Rio Grande, along Pikes Peak and past Royal Gorge's hanging bridge. Some of the railways you'll travel on during those 12 days include the Narrow Gauge Railroad; the Pikes Peak Cog Railway; the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad and the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railways.
The vacation itinerary is much more extensive as you'll not only be sightseeing by train, but also have overnight stays at a variety of resorts in the towns of Durango, Silverthorne and Glenwood Springs. Guests booked on this railway adventure will embark on tours of a non-rail nature as well, with visits to the Anasazi cliff dwellings, local ghost towns and scenic nature walks.
Vacation packages include coach fares, rail travel, hotel accommodations, sightseeing and attraction admissions, 11 meals and luggage handling. Rates as of January 2011 are $2,999 per person for double occupancy or $3,699 per person for single occupancy. - An eight-day railway vacation that starts in Denver, Colorado. Trains Across Colorado is actually four train rides in one, traveling along some of the state's most historic routes. Attractions on this vacation include the Rocky Mountains, Old West mining towns, the Garden of the Gods National Park and the U.S. Air Force Academy and Cadet Chapel.
During the course of your eight-day trip, you'll change trains three times. Each train ride will take passengers along a different historic railroad, ultimately arriving in the city where your overnight accommodations have been booked. This vacation package includes a total of 12 meals, round-trip airport transfers, admission to attractions and $40 in future travel credits. As of January 2011, per person prices start at $1,679. - A vacation and tour company, Rails NW, offers a variety of Colorado railway packages for tourists. You can build tours or vacations lasting a couple of days up to six nights.
The Durango and Silverton Railroad trips begin in the town of Durango, and upon booking the Silverton Express Plus package, you can travel this part of Colorado for up to four days and three nights. With Rails NW, the more people in your booking party, the more you save per person. You can also choose from either a budget or luxury hotel for your overnight accommodations. This train trip runs annually from May to October. October 2010 prices start at $308 for adults, per person.
If you're looking for a longer vacation and tour, try the seven-day, six-night trip along the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. The Southwest Deluxe Package is available annually from the end of May to mid-October. This train trip begins in Alamosa, traveling to the El Vado and Heron Lakes, then onto Silverton. A side trip to Durango will include stopping at the volcanic hot springs and neighboring cliff dwellings in the area. As of October 2010, adult pricing per person starts at $573.
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