Historic Trains of the Old West
featuring Durango Silverton & Cumbres Toltec Railroads
June 18th-21st, 2024
$1199 (Based Upon Double Occupancy) +$240 (Single Supplement)
Day One: We’ll leave the Valley headed for Farmington, New Mexico, enjoying plenty of pitstops along the way, including a stop for lunch, on self, at the Painted Desert Diner at Petrified Forest National Park. Late afternoon, we’ll check into the Holiday Inn Express, and after a refresh, we’ll head out to enjoy a festive Welcome Dinner, included.
Day Two: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Back in the Transits we’re headed for Durango, Colorado, founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The Railroad arrived in Durango in 1881. The tracks to Silverton were completed by 1882 and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. The line was constructed to haul silver and ore from Southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was all about the view! We’ll begin our world-famous Durango Silverton Scenic Skyway Tour with a relaxing journey to Silverton by motorcoach. A National Historic Landmark, Silverton is home to several restaurants, shops and galleries. We’ll enjoy lunch on self and take some time to stroll Silverton’s charming streets before boarding our train for the return ride to Durango. And what a ride it is, offering a view of Colorado’s majestic mountains that is inaccessible by highway. This historic train has been in continuous operation between Durango and Silverton since 1882, carrying passengers behind historic steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock indigenous to the line. Early evening finds us back in Durango, where we’ll enjoy dinner on self at the restaurant of your choice, before heading back to our hotel.
Day Three: Breakfast is included at the hotel, then it’s back in the Transits and we’re headed for Chama, New Mexico, a National Historic Landmark, and home to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, At 64-miles in length, the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West. Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over the 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this off-the grid adventure that has been called the best, and most scenic train ride in America. We’ll travel by train from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado, with a stop midway at historic Osier Station for a delicious hot lunch and a selection of freshly baked desserts, included. Late afternoon we’ll return to Chama via motorcoach, then it’s back in the Transits headed for our hotel. We’ll take a moment to refresh before heading out to enjoy a Farewell Dinner and a cocktail, and it’s all included.
Day Four: Breakfast is included at the hotel, then it’s bags out and we’re headed for home. We’ll enjoy plenty of great sightseeing along the way, as well as a stop for lunch, on self, at the fabulous La Posada Hotel, home to the award-winning Turquoise Room. The La Posada Hotel is the last of the great railroad hotels, a fitting final stop on this remarkable historic railroad adventure! Might be time to check this one off your BUCKET LIST!
Northwest Valley:
Sundome Plaza
13515 W. Camino Del Sol
Sun City West, AZ 85375
Located in the heart of Sun City West at the Sundome Plaza Shopping Center, just a few doors down from Safeway.
Scottsdale:
La Quinta Inn & Suites
8888 E Shea Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
The Scottsdale pickup location can be easily reached via AZ 101/Pima Freeway. Exit the freeway at Shea. The La Quinta Hotel is located at the northeast corner of AZ 101 and Shea Blvd.
Mesa:
Mesa Doubletree Hotel
1011 W. Holmes Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210
This is the Fiesta Mall region, and the Hilton Hotel is easily viewed from the U.S. 60/Superstition Freeway. Exit the freeway at Alma School and head east to Holmes. Park and wait for the bus at the west end of the hotel parking lot.
