Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies to the Red Rocks
- 13
- £4,199
- USA
- Denver, Colorado’s capital and centre of the Old West
- Unforgettable rail journeys to Glenwood Springs and Moab aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
- Salt Lake City, founded by the Mormons in 1847
- Overnight aboard the California Zephyr to San Francisco
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Flights from London to Denver and San Francisco to London in Economy Class
- Two days Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service
- Breakfast onboard and lunch on the journey between Denver and Glenwood Springs
- Overnight Amtrak journey from Salt Lake City to Emeryville (San Francisco) in a Superliner Roomette
- 10 nights’ hotel accommodation
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Fly from London (other UK airports also available) to Denver, arriving the same day local time and check in for a 2-night stay at The Rally Hotel (or similar).
The ‘Mile High City’, as it’s affectionately known, is the state capital of Colorado, located in a river valley with the Rocky Mountains as a spectacular backdrop. There are some great museums to visit here including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the US Mint and the former home of the ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’. You’re also likely to catch one of the city’s monthly events from rodeos to traditional Chinese festivals. Enjoy a drink in the historic LoDo district which boasts the highest concentration of Victorian buildings in the USA.
Leave Denver this morning and return to the Rocky Mountaineer for your onward journey through Colorado. Today’s highlights include Moffatt Tunnel, Big Ten Curve, Gross Reservoir Dam as well as Byers, Gore and Glenwood Canyons. Breakfast and lunch will be served onboard. Cross the Continental Divide as you take in the spectacular views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River before arriving at the resort town of Glenwood Springs.
Settle into your hotel (confirmed closer to departure) and then why not head into town for dinner?
Take the short walk from your hotel back to the station today and rejoin the Rocky Mountaineer for breakfast and your onward journey towards the red rocks of Utah. Cross the Colorado-Utah border with stunning mountain views in the background. Red sandstone landscapes will emerge as you approach Moab, the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Today’s highlights include Parachute Creek, Mount Logan, Ruby Canyon, and Book Cliffs. Upon arrival in Moab, you will be transferred by motorcoach from the station to the Hyatt Place Moab Hotel (or similar), where you have a 2-night stay.
Enjoy the day exploring the Scarlet City at your own leisure. Known as the Adventure Capital of Utah, Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. You can also visit the famous Monument Valley with a Navajo guide.
Whether you explore on foot, by 4×4 Drive or even whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, there is some uniquely beautiful scenery to be discovered.
You’ll take a scenic journey by road in a luxury motorcoach from Moab through Utah to capital Salt Lake City. The journey takes around 4 – 5 hours and includes some beautiful scenery. On arrival in Salt Lake City, check in for a 2-night stay at the Little America Downtown Hotel (or similar).
Founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers, Salt Lake City is a fascinating city to explore. You can learn more about 19th century pioneer life at the This is the Place Heritage Park which contains over 50 restored or replicated historical buildings. However, most visitors begin their discovery of the city at Temple Square, the symbolic heart of the Mormon Church, where the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir give regular free concerts.
After a leisurely start today, return to the station and catch Amtrak’s California Zephyr for the last leg of your epic journey across America.
Your journey takes you across Utah and then early in the morning across the state line into Nevada, travelling via Elko and Reno to California. You’ll pass through state capital Sacramento in the early afternoon and then arrive mid-afternoon into Emeryville. From here, a Thruway bus takes you into downtown San Francisco, where you check in for a 3-night stay at the Handley Union Square (or similar).
The next three days are yours to discover the City by the Bay. You can navigate San Francisco’s hilly terrain by riding the traditional cable cars which run up and down from the Bay. Apart from the cable cars, other not-to-be-missed experiences include museums like the Palace of Fine Arts and M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, clam chowder out of a bowl made of bread at Fisherman’s Wharf and a harbour cruise under the landmark Golden Gate Bridge. You can also stop at Alcatraz for a tour of the famous former island prison.
Leave San Francisco today for your return flight to the UK. Alternatively, why not take the Coast Starlight Amtrak service along the Western Seaboard? You can travel north as far as Seattle or down to Los Angeles and San Diego. Please call us to tailor make your holiday.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Denver
The Rally Hotel is a boutique gem located in the heart of Denver’s most vibrant neighbourhood. Spacious bedrooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a minibar and a coffee machine. There is also a 24-hour reception, roof top pool and fitness centre and an on-site restaurant.
Moab
Overlooking the stunning red rocks that characterise the local landscape, the Hyatt Moab is a modern hotel with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub and a terrace. The bedrooms are furnished in a modern style with air-conditioning, en suite bathroom, TV and coffee machine. There is also a restaurant and snack bar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
Salt Lake City
Little America Hotel is located in downtown Salt Lake City. All bedrooms come with free Wi-Fi internet access, tea & coffee making facilities, a cable TV and en suite bathrooms with hairdryer. There’s also an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa & fitness centre, on-site boutique shops and the Lucky H Bar & Grille restaurant. You can also enjoy a drink and a snack in the coffee shop.
San Francisco
Located on Union Square, this hotel provides easy access to the sights of San Francisco, with the Powell Street cable car (tram) line just a short walk away. Each classically-designed bedroom is equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, mini-refrigerator, and free coffee and tea. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and sauna as well as a barbershop.
