Colorado Rockies, Rails & Western National Parks

Duration: 9 Days | Meals Included: 8 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

 

Starr has partnered with Premier World Discovery, a professional tour operator handling escorted tour arrangements. With 25 years of experience, PWD's goal is to provide travelers with an unforgettable experience featuring sightseeing, history, culture, and fun!

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Denver, Colorado

The Mile High City — a vibrant outdoor city filled with urban sophistication. With 300 days of sunshine, diverse neighborhoods, a thriving arts and culture scene, chef-driven dining and exhilarating Rocky Mountain adventures, Denver offers affordable exploration in an uplifting, one-of-a-kind travel destination.

 

Durango & Silverton Railroad

Relive the Old West on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a coal-fired, steam-powered train operating since 1882 through Colorado’s San Juan National Forest. This breathtaking 45-mile journey offers stunning views of canyons and mountains, departing from Durango to the historic mining town of Silverton. Enjoy a spectacular rail journey following the sheer cliffs of the Animas River.

 

Durango, Colorado

A mining town during the gold and silver booms. Today it’s a center of year round tourism, commerce, culture and ranching featuring a Victorian downtown where you can enjoy the spirit of a bygone era.

 

Grand Junction, Colorado

The ultimate Western Slope adventure hub, blending dramatic red-rock landscapes with agricultural bounty. Known as the heart of Colorado’s wine country. It offers world-class mountain biking, hiking, and rafting.

 

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The world’s highest cog railroad for an 8.9 mile trip to the summit of Pikes Peak (approximately 14,110 ft.). On a clear day you can see 75 miles to Denver and over 100 miles to New Mexico.

 

Colorado Springs, Colorado

A picturesque city situated at the foot of famous Pikes Peak & check in for a two-night stay. “The Springs” as it is commonly referred to attracts thousands of visitors each year for its picturesque setting, natural wonders, history & military sights.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park

Discover the true meaning of panoramic. This celebrated “Roof of the Rockies” offers views of massive peaks and rugged canyons as you experience one of the largest national parks in the United States.

 

Mesa Verde National Park

Home to the largest and best preserved Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings in the Southwest including the famous Cliff Palace. Venture out on the Mesa Top Loop Road which winds around overlooks to see some of the 4,000 ruin sites including 600 cliff dwellings.

 

Moab, Utah

The ultimate Southwest adventure basecamp, renowned for its dramatic red rock landscapes, the Colorado River, and two iconic national parks: Arches and Canyonlands. As a premier destination for mountain biking, hiking, and rafting, it offers thrilling outdoor experiences alongside charming dining and unique local shops. Enjoy lunch on your own in this town famous for western movie making.

 

Arches National Park

Located near Moab, Utah, Arches National Park is a 76,000-acre wonderland featuring the world's largest concentration of natural stone arches—over 2,000 in total. Iconic sites like Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and the Windows Section offer breathtaking hiking, photography, and stargazing opportunities, making it a must-visit desert destination.

 

Canyonlands National Park

Explore the dramatic, rugged wilderness of Canyonlands National Park in Utah, a vast red-rock landscape carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. Centrally located near Moab, the accessible Island in the Sky district offers panoramic views, while the remote Needles and Maze districts provide hiking and true backcountry solitude. Featuring deeply eroded canyons interspersed with sheer-sided mesas and a variety of spires and unusual rock formations.

 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Established in 2004 and known for huge dunes and beaches created at the base of the dunes. Stop at a Visitor Center to learn more about this National Park, containing the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising to a maximum height of 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

 

Dead Horse Point State Park

Experience breathtaking, panoramic views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park from 2,000 feet above at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, Utah. Famed for its dramatic, sun-soaked cliffs and stunning sunrises, this high-desert peninsula offers miles of hiking trails, the renowned Intrepid Mountain Biking Trail System, and premier stargazing.

 

Garden of the Gods

On the National Register for Historic Places. Located where the Great Plains meet the mighty Rockies, this 1,300-acre park is home to towering sandstone formations.

 

U.S. Olympic Training Center

Where Olympic dreams begin and talented athletes live and train. A mild climate, incredible natural training grounds and awe-inspiring beauty all make Colorado Springs a popular location for many aspiring Olympic athletes.

 

Cowboy Dinner & Show

Enjoy a fun-filled dining experience at the Bar D Chuckwagon Supper & Western Stage Show. The show is one of the longest running live music events in Durango, Colorado and offers family entertainment and a good laugh. There are plenty of Western themed activities before the show, as well as many shops.

 

Vail, Colorado

Explore Vail Village, the downtown district reminiscent of a Bavarian Village includes a clock tower & features diverse shops and restaurants in addition to breathtaking mountain views.

 

Need to Know:

• This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to walk some stairs, and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets. Premier World Discovery/Starr is not responsible for any missed activities due to a participant's inability to participate with the group.

• Includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations to the airport.

• Services of a Tour Director will begin upon arrival in Denver.

• Price includes round-trip airfare between Philadelphia or Newark Airport and Denver.

• Transfers between airport and hotel are included.

• Baggage handling at hotels is included.

• Baggage handling at airports is not included.

 

Proof of Citizenship Requirement: Government-Issued REAL ID or PASSPORT

 

Tour: August 8, 2027

Deposit/Final Payment: Deposit is $425.00 per person. Final payment is due by 4/20/2027

Cancellation Penalties: If cancellation occurs from booking date to 2/9/2027, a $25.00* per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 2/10/2027 and 4/20/2027, a $425.00* per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 4/21/2027 and 5/8/2027, a $1,200.00* per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 5/9/2027 and 8/8/2027, the passenger is in full penalty and no refund will be granted.

*In addition to the cancellation policies listed above, if additional payments have been made to Starr for the purpose of securing your airline reservation, these monies are non-refundable once received. Any name changes after final payment is made will be assessed a per person change fee. The amount of the fee will be determined by the airline.

 

Flight Schedule:

Departure: August 8, 2027

TBD *Flights are subject to change

Return: August 16, 2027

TBD *Flights are subject to change

 

Important Flight Information:

• Each traveler is permitted one piece of checked baggage. Please note that the airline will charge a fee for checked luggage, payable directly to the airline.

• Airfare is purchased as a group. While we are happy to pass along any seating requests made at the time of booking, seat assignments are controlled by the airline and cannot be guaranteed. Your final seat assignments will be included with your trip documents, which are sent approximately two weeks prior to departure.

 

Travel Insurance:

Travel Insurance provides protection for your travel investment and it should always be considered. We recommend The National Tour Association's (NTA) Travel Protection Plan administered by Aon Affinity. You can purchase the enhanced plan within 14 days of deposit to cover preexisting conditions or 'cancel for any reason' coverage.

• For more information, click here.

• For frequently asked questions, click here.

• To purchase: Call 800-388-1470 or click here.

• Starr's Tour Operator location # for Aon is 306035. 

 

Gratuities:

Gratuities to individuals noted below are not included in the price of your tour package. Customary recognized guidelines are as follows:

• Motorcoach Driver: $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

• Tour Director: $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

 

Accessibility:

Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Days 1-2

Sheraton, Embassy Suites or similar (Denver)

 

Days 3-4

DoubleTree by Hilton or similar (Grand Junction)

 

Days 5-6

Rio Grande Inn, DoubleTree, The Strater Hotel or similar (Durango)

 

Days 7-9

Hilton Garden Inn, Wyndham Antler’s Hotel or similar (Colorado Springs)

 

Note: Hotels are subject to change and are assigned approximately 30 days prior to departure.

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