SOUTHWEST RAILS & TRAILS

The most beauiful gifts America has to offer—our amazing national parks & and heritage narrow-gauge railways! We get off to a great start in Salt Lake City before heading into the Southwest parks and Native territories. We then experience two of the finest and most scenic rail routes in America! We wrap up with two days in one of America’s greatest heritage cities, absolutely filled with history, galleries, and Southwest charm, Santa Fe! (800) 576-4905 or RailandSail.com

Included in your escorted travels: 

· Your non-stop flights to/from Seattle, PDX, SFO, LAX*

*Other gateways by request. 

· Modern and comfortable hotels with city center locations

· Salt Lake City tour & welcome lunch

· Arches NP, Canyonlands NP and Dead Horse Park

· Durango & Silverton and Cumbres & Toltec rail excursions

· Native Encounters

· Great meals as listed

· Scenic driving tours of all parks

· Travel by modern air conditioned luxury motorcoach

· All park entries and sightseeing mentioned in itinerary.

· No optional tours or activities for sale.

· Small group travel—no crowded buses

· Time for personal discoveries

· Experienced Tour Manager

· Caring and professional travel arrangements

*Please consider travel insurance—call Rail & Sail!

Day 1 — Thursday June 4 — Depart for Salt Lake! Make your way to your gateway airport. Meet your Tour Manager at Seatac Airport and check-in for a quick, direct flight to Salt Lake City*. On arrival we will enjoy a city tour including The Utah Capitol Building, and Temple Square, and a delicious welcome lunch! In the afternoon, check into our downtown hotel to freshen up and rest. In the evening consider a visit to Temple Square to enjoy Thursday evening practice of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! choir or bell ringing practice depending on schedule. *Other gateway airports available on request. Overnight Salt Lake City (welcome dinner)

Day 2— Friday June 5 — Canyonlands National Park  Depart Salt Lake after an awesome breakfast and head for Moab! Today we enjoy the beauty of the “Grand Canyon” without the crowds. The Colorado River has carved these magnificent canyons in Utah, before heading to Arizona and flowing through the famous cousin “Grand Canyon National Park”. Also enjoy the gorgeous Deadhorse Park. Overnight in Moab, UT (breakfast, dinner)

Day 3 – Saturday June 6 — Arches National Park Today we delve back into the natural beauty of Moab with a scenic tour of Arches National Park—one of America’s most recognizable and iconic parks! We will make multiple stops for short hikes and walks, as well as photo opportunities. Enjoy a free afternoon for jeep rides or gallery hopping in Moab. (breakfast, picnic lunch). 

Day 4 — Sunday June 7 — Four Corners Monument & Durango Enjoy breakfast this morning before heading south with stops in Historic Blanding Utah, and Four Corners Monument where our 4 Southwest states meet! Enjoy trading with Natives or even an “Indian taco” before continuing to Durango for free time in the later afternoon and evening. (breakfast)

Day 5 —Monday June 8 — Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail! After a hearty breakfast, we are off to enjoy one of the best rail excursions in America! Blasted rock ledges, trestles over crystal clear rivers and full steam ahead to the heritage city and former mining town of Silverton. After lunch and shopping we head to Alamosa Colorado for a lively Mexican feast and good night of rest. (breakfast, dinner). 

Day 6 – Tuesday June 9 — Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad Perhaps the more scenic and best kept rail secret in America! Start in the arid high desert before entering the quaking aspens and evergreen forests criss-crossing the border of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times! Enjoy a hearty lunch along the way before disembarking at the highest narrow gauge rail pass in America (Cumbres Pass). We then continue by motorcoach to Santa Fe for 2 nights in the city center. (breakfast, lunch)

Day 7 —Wednesday June 10— Sant Fe, NM Join our local historian this morning for a gentle walking tour of the historic sites in and around the Santa Fe Plaza. In the afternoon, choose from the many galleries and museums to enjoy before we get together one last time to enjoy dinner and say goodbye to our travelling companions. (breakfast, farewell dinner)

Day 8– Thursday June 11 — Free morning A free morning in Santa Fe before we depart at check-out time to catch our return flights to Seattle. (breakfast).