Experience the world-famous International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque on this memorable fall vacation, revealing the beauty of the Southwest from its national parks to historic railroads.
Board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for an overnight journey to Albuquerque, where colorful celebrations await. Marvel as hundreds of balloons ascend into the New Mexico sky at sunrise, then view the spectacular Night Glow in the evening.
After uncovering Spanish colonial history in Santa Fe, ride the heritage Durango & Silverton Railroad and view breathtaking Southwest scenes in Mesa Verde and Arches national parks.
What’s included
Your vacation into the incredible hues of New Mexico, Colorado and Utah begins today at Chicago's historic Union Station. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and together, join Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its overnight route toward Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Settle into your seat and watch as the city's skyscrapers fade into the backdrop as the journey gets underway. Relax as the Southwest Chief ventures through western Illinois and into Missouri, and maybe head to the Café Car for hot and cold dining and drink options to enjoy at your seat. Alternatively, you could take your meal up to the Sightseer Lounge, lined with panoramic windows, and admire scenes of the Midwest as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. Overnight train.
*Please note: Travelers may elect to travel from Los Angeles or points in between and meet the Tour Manager in Albuquerque.
Waking aboard the Southwest Chief, enjoy a relaxing time admiring the ever-changing scenery as we continue westward, or perhaps visit the Dining Car (booking in advance advised).
Traveling south from Colorado, you can unwind as New Mexico's wild landscapes pass the windows, catching glimpses of wide-open plains dotted with adobe homes. Arriving in Albuquerque later this afternoon, we check in to our downtown hotel.
The rest of the day is free to rest, explore or enjoy dinner at your leisure. An early night is recommended as we have an early start in the morning to experience the unforgettable spectacle of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Overnight Albuquerque, NM.
An early start awaits this morning for the highlight of the vacation - the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. On arrival at the Balloon Field, we may see the Dawn Patrol taking to the skies, assessing the weather conditions ahead of the morning launch.
There is time to walk out onto the field, meet the balloonists and take pictures of the balloons as they slowly inflate. There could be as many as 600 balloons in the air this morning, making It an event of a lifetime.
Later, we enjoy a tour of Albuquerque, including a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Museum, where we learn about the region's heritage and watch ceremonial dances. There's free time over lunch before we return to the Balloon Fiesta this evening for the Night Glow, when the balloons stay on the ground and illuminate on the field, creating a memorable display. Dinner is at leisure at one of the food stalls before watching the fireworks show from our hotel. Overnight Albuquerque, NM.
There's a relaxed morning today after last night's spectacular event, before we leave Albuquerque by motorcoach.
Our destination is the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe, where we check in to our hotel just steps away from the end of the Old Santa Fe Trail. After, we set out on a historical walking tour of Sante Fe, hearing about the history of the Spanish colonists that helped found this town in 1610, and visiting key landmarks, including the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building in the United States. Among the other highlights are a visit to the famed Loretto Chapel and a stop at San Miguel Mission, the oldest church building in the country.
Afterward, you are free to explore the museums and galleries around the Plaza and have dinner at one of Santa Fe's local restaurants. Overnight Santa Fe, NM.
Enjoy contrasting scenery as we travel further north through the historic landscapes of New Mexico, passing through traditional Spanish towns founded in the 1700s and earlier.
A guided tour of the Santuario de Chimayo and its historic chapels reveals the area's historical importance. Built in 1813 near the path of the Old Spanish Trail, this small shrine is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the United States and is often referred to as the "Lourdes of America." Gaining an insight into the traditions and craftsmanship of New Mexico, we stop to view a weaving demonstration before lunch.
Continuing north, we enter Colorado and make our way to Durango, set amid the San Juan Mountains. We check in to our hotel where we spend the next two nights and your evening is free to enjoy downtown Durango at leisure. Overnight Durango, CO.
This morning, we board the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad for a nostalgic journey by steam-hauled train. Traveling deep into the Rocky Mountains, we follow the winding Animas River through a landscape of soaring peaks and forested valleys. There are no roads that follow these rails, so it is a rare chance to experience true wilderness, much of it unchanged for over a century.
On arrival in Silverton, we step into a former mining town rich in Old West character. Surrounded by rugged mountain scenery, its historic buildings, saloons and local shops offer a glimpse into Colorado's mining past. There is free time to enjoy lunch independently and explore the town at your own pace.
Later, we return to Durango by coach, where the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Durango offers a welcoming selection of restaurants, breweries and cafés, making it an inviting place to enjoy a relaxed evening at your own pace. Overnight Durango, CO.
There's an early breakfast this morning, before we head by motorcoach into the ancient landscapes of Mesa Verde National Park. Free time to enjoy lunch independently follows our check-in to Far View Lodge, the only accommodations inside the park.
This afternoon, a guide joins us as we tour this spectacular park, seeing some of the cliff dwellings and surface ruins of the ancient Anasazi people. Mesa Verde offers a look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for more than 700 years, from 600 A.D. to 1300 A.D. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. We begin our tour at the Far View Museum for a look at the artifacts that have been found on this site.
Continuing on what is called the "ruins" road, we have the opportunity to view some of the other sites in the park, before returning to the lodge for dinner. Overnight Mesa Verde National Park, CO.
Leaving Far View Lodge after an early breakfast, we cross into Utah. On arrival in downtown Moab, there's free time to find lunch independently and explore at leisure.
A vacation highlight awaits next as we explore the red-rock wonderland of Arches National Park. Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world on this breathtaking tour. The park has more than 2,000 natural stone arches, alongside soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks, creating one of Utah's most iconic natural wonders.
Back on the road, we follow the Colorado River to Grand Junction, passing more stunning scenery including red rock canyons, towering cliffs and the iconic Fisher Towers. Arriving in Grand Junction, your final evening is free to dine independently in this historic town at the center of Colorado's wine country. Overnight Grand Junction, CO.
After traveling on the Southwest Chief to Albuquerque, we marveled at the magical sight of hundreds of balloons illuminating the sky above the New Mexico city. This unforgettable experience provided the appetizer for a journey through the Southwest's most epic landscapes. Exploring the history of Santa Fe, we embraced the wild beauty of the Old West aboard the heritage Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The spectacular landmarks of Mesa Verde and Arches national parks unveiled breathtaking views as we made our way to Grand Junction on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Your vacation concludes today, and this morning is at leisure to pack and get ready for your flight or train home.
| September 30, 2027 | From $3,899 |
| October 5, 2027 | From $3,899 |
| October 7, 2027 | From $3,899 |
All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.
The colorful deserts of the Southwest sit in stark contrast to the gleaming cities of Chicago and Los Angeles, and passengers on Amtrak's Southwest Chief get a taste of it all. Covering 2,265 miles, this long-distance passenger train presents beautiful metropolises and little-seen landscapes as it traverses eight states on its route through the Midwest, Southwest, and, eventually, the Old West en route to L.A. Signature Amtrak excellence is paired with even better views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, breathtaking canyons, ancient pueblos and untamed rivers for the course of the journey.
The historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad weaves a tale of human ingenuity and natural beauty as it travels on its 45-mile route between Durango and Silverton in Colorado. Aboard fully restored steam trains that are original to the line and open-air gondolas that offer uninhibited views of the surrounding scenery, passengers relive the region's mining past and marvel at panoramic vistas of the Animas River and its gorge.
Fully renovated in 2022, this 4-Star hotel is located opposite the Convention Center, with all of downtown's amenities within reach. The hotel's facilities include the Icon Bistro, which offers authentic New Mexico breakfasts, whereas Lounge 201 provides lunches, dinner, craft beer, and cocktails. Other onsite amenities guests can look forward to include an outdoor pool, a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center, and room service. The DoubleTree Albuquerque also offers complimentary airport shuttle service to all guests. Air-conditioned guestrooms are equipped with flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, fridge, ironing facilities, tea & coffee-making equipment, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
Located beside the Animas River, the 3-Star hotel is a short distance from the shops and restaurants of downtown Durango and has lovely mountain views from the rooms. Guests have access to a heated indoor pool and a fully equipped fitness center. Guestrooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk, minifridge and complimentary toiletries.
Overlooking the bluffs of the Grand Mesa Plateau, this 3-Star hotel is close to the heart of downtown Grand Junction. Facilities include a heated outdoor swimming pool (seasonal), whirlpool spa, gym, volleyball court, restaurant and bar. Guestrooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, ironing equipment, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
Far View Lodge is the only lodging inside of Mesa Verde National Park and is located 15 miles from the park entrance. The traditional Western decor of the lobby and dining room, fantastic views, warm hospitality and superb dining welcome you for an unforgettable vacation.
Built in traditional adobe style, this 4-Star hotel is located on the corner of Santa Fe's historic plaza, putting all of the New Mexico capital's attractions in easy reach. An outdoor pool and a rooftop hot tub provide ample places for relaxation, while guests can savor local specialties in La Plazuela restaurant or soak up stunning views at the rooftop bar. Air-conditioned guestrooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, fridge, ironing facilities, tea & coffee-making equipment, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!
Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.