Canyon Spirit: Las Vegas to Denver

Your American holiday begins in the famous city of Las Vegas. Upon arrival, make your own way from the Las Vegas airport to your hotel.

Las Vegas is a vibrant resort city in the Mojave Desert, surrounded by mountain ranges. It is an oasis of indulgence with its luxurious casino hotels, fine dining outlets and unrivaled entertainment venues.

Group Golden Eagle Helicopter Tour

Embark on an aerial exploration of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. You will be driven to the heliport where you will board a helicopter. Buckle in and listen to music on the provided noise-canceling headphones as you take to the skies. From the oversized windows, enjoy gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape. 

As you fly over landmarks such as Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, switch to the audio narration to know more about the areas you pass. Along the way, take in bird’s-eye views of the expansive Mojave Desert and the Grand Wash Cliffs. At the West Rim, view the colossal striped walls of this natural wonder. Keep your camera ready to capture some breathtaking photographs from the air, before it is time to head back.

Group Jeep Tour of Red Rock Canyon & Rocky Gap

Explore the rugged beauty of the Red Rock Canyon on a thrilling jeep ride. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the canyon. Once there, hop into an iconic Pink® Jeep® Wrangler and journey into the Mojave Desert. 

Your first stop is the Visitor’s Center, where you can see endangered desert tortoises up close. Then, head out on a scenic 13-mile drive through the desert. Visit the famous Red Rock Overlook. See the 3000-foot-tall Wilson Cliffs, with its cave walls decorated by ancient tribes. Then, head to the Spring Mountains, where hundreds of streams make a green oasis in the middle of the desert. You may spot jack rabbits, unique lizard species and colourful birds. The last stop is Calico Hills, with its rocks that look red, orange or pink depending on the time of the day. Before wrapping up the tour, enjoy a thrilling off-road drive up Rocky Gap Road, an old wagon route used by pioneers.

Group Las Vegas Strip Food Tour

Eat your way through the Las Vegas Strip on this indulgent three-hour evening food tour. You will visit four of the city’s most exclusive and vibrant restaurants, with each one providing a different dining experience. You will have VIP access, so you can skip the lines and head straight to your table. 

At each stop you will be served a personalised menu that features the restaurant’s most famous appetizers, entrées and desserts, each one carefully crafted by an A-list chef. Your guide will give you insider information and useful tips on Vegas. In between meals, go on a walking tour that takes you past significant landmarks and hear interesting stories and facts about this glittering city.

Make your own way to the Las Vegas airport and pick up your rental car. Drive yourself from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, which is about four hours away.

Famed for its breathtaking mountainscapes, Zion National Park is a nature reserve in southwest Utah. The first national park of the state, it is home to the iconic red sandstone cliffs of the Zion Canyon that have been carved over the centuries by the swiftly flowing Virgin River.

Explore Zion National Park on your own

A paradise for hikers and nature lovers, there is so much to discover in Zion National Park. For a leisurely walk, explore the Lower Emerald Pool Trail, which leads up to a lovely pool, hanging gardens and waterfalls. If you’re up for a moderate hike, follow the Watchman Trail that goes up the canyon and across the road, and ends at the viewpoints of the Temples and Towers. If you want a more challenging trail, try Angels Landing which includes steep cliffs, ridges and expansive views of the valley floor from the top.

You can also go on a five-mile scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road and look out upon massive sandstone cliffs that soar into a brilliant blue sky. For those who enjoy birdwatching, Zion is home to 291 species of birds such as the peregrine falcon, the California condor and the bald eagle.

Explore Zion National Park by E-bike on your own

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend hiring a pedal assist e-bike to explore Zion National Park. The rental store is located right next to the entrance and is a two-minute walk from the Zion Visitor Center. These bikes are an ideal way to tour the paved Pa’rus Trail and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The electric motor does most of the work, allowing you to take in your beautiful surroundings. 

Take the Pa’rus Trail along the Virgin River for some of the best views of the Watchman, a sandstone mountain summit. Look for trailside exhibits that tell you about the plant and animal life along the river, as well as the region’s geology. After about two miles, the trail turns into the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which follows the canyon of the North Fork of the Virgin River and runs for about six miles.

Drive yourself from Zion National Park to the city of Page in your rental car. The duration of travel is about two and a half hours.

Nestled on the southern shores of Lake Powell, the northern Arizona town of Page is blessed with spectacular natural treasures. The second-largest man-made lake in the country, Lake Powell, offers a range of adventure activities from wakeboarding and waterskiing to paddling and canoeing on its blue-green waters.

Group Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour

Accompanied by your Navajo guide, set off along a rocky, sandy trail leading to the entrance of Antelope Canyon, where your hiking tour begins. Descend five flights of stairs to reach the canyon floor, noticing how the canyon is broader at the top and narrows as you move downward. You’ll find yourself surrounded by towering walls of textured sandstone, naturally sculpted over millions of years by the forces of water and wind. As you walk through the canyon, take in the mesmerising illusion of swirling waves in shades of red, orange, pink, and blue.

Along the way, your guide will highlight fascinating rock formations and wall patterns that resemble various animals. Discover how the canyon earned its name from the herds of pronghorn antelope that grazed in the area in ancient times. Take a moment to admire the grooves and curves in the cliffs, and watch as rare rays of sunlight reach the gravelly ground, spilling across the crags to reveal vivid, ever-shifting hues.

Drive yourself from Page to Moab in your rental car. The travel time is about four and a half hours.

Located in the southeastern part of Utah, Moab is home to dramatic rock formations, sheer vertical cliffs, and deep canyons framed by majestic snow-capped mountains. Just outside the town, you come upon the surreal red rock landscape of Arches National Park. Such diverse terrain offers plenty of opportunities for hikes, four-wheel drives, and river trips.

Group Tour of Arches National Park

Explore the landscape of contrasting colours, landforms and textures at Arches National Park, with an experienced Moab Adventure Center trail guide. Located in the north of Moab, and bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast, the park is known for its spectacular set of 2,000 natural sandstone arches. 

Set out early in the morning in a sprinter van and enjoy beautiful views of rock formations and vast plains. Stop to go on short hikes, accompanied by your guide.

You’ll get a close view of famous landmarks such as the Balanced Rock, towering over the desert landscape, the massive, red-hued Delicate Arch in the east, and the Landscape Arch in the Devils Garden to the north. Learn all about their geology and the origin of their names while you discover this red-rock wonderland.

Please note that depending on group size, the vehicle may be a bus or a Sprinter Van with a high ceiling and large picture windows.

Board the Canyon Spirit train from Moab to Glenwood Springs. You will need to make your own way from your hotel to the meeting point in downtown Moab. Location details will be provided once confirmed. You will be transferred from downtown Moab to the train station in a shared vehicle organised by Canyon Spirit.

Rockies to the Red Rocks Moab – Glenwood Springs – Denver (Day 1)

Experience the dramatic landscape of the American Southwest on this fascinating train journey on board the Canyon Spirit. Settle into your comfortable seat in the glass-domed coach and meet your hosts as the train starts out from Moab.

Pass by landmarks such as Mount Garfield and the stunning red rock formations of Ruby Canyon as you relish your dinner. Take in views of the picturesque landscape from the large windows as you cross the Colorado-Utah border, while your host offers insights into the region’s history. Sip on signature cocktails as the train speeds to the resort town of Glenwood Springs, your overnight destination. 

Disembark and head to your hotel for a good night’s rest. Enjoy complimentary baggage transfers as part of your SilverLeaf Service.

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is a small resort city that lies at the confluence of two rivers in Colorado. With its abundance of natural wonders, the region is an excellent year-round destination. Explore the many scenic trails on walks or by cycling. You can discover more of the Rockies on ATV tours and aerial adventures. Rafting, kayaking, fly fishing and golf are also on offer for those who’d prefer a more leisurely pace.

A trip to this picturesque town is incomplete without a rejuvenating dip in one of its mineral-rich hot springs. The city also has a vibrant culinary scene, specialising in classic American favourites as well as international flavours such as Asian and Italian. Winter in Glenwood Springs brings with it a range of new activities, with skiing and snowboarding topping the charts

Board your Canyon Spirit train from Glenwood Springs to Denver. 

Rockies to the Red Rocks Moab – Glenwood Springs – Denver (Day 2)

Wake up refreshed in the morning and resume your daytime train journey to Denver. Fuel up with a hot two-course breakfast as part of your SilverLeaf privileges, while the train pulls out of Glenwood Springs. Watch the rugged canyons lit up by the early morning light as you travel along the Colorado River.

Listen to colourful stories about the region, narrated by your hosts while you speed past Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon. Continue to enjoy scenic views as you relish a three-course lunch featuring regional cuisine, served at your seat. Sip on cocktails as you cross the Continental Divide through the Moffat Tunnel. Disembark at the mile-high city, Denver, to end a memorable trip.

Make your own way from the Denver train station to your hotel.

Explore Denver on your own

With its many natural and cultural attractions, Denver is the perfect city to discover on your own. You could start off in historic Larimer Square, dotted with stately Victorian buildings, elegant boutiques and a wonderful selection of restaurants. Take a tour of the heritage Molly Brown House Museum, the residence of the famous socialite and activist who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

After your journey through history, enjoy a light lunch and beers at a local brewery. Go for a leisurely afternoon stroll amid the lush beauty of the Botanic Gardens and then check out the displays of indigenous creations at the Denver Art Museum. The stunning setting of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre makes for the perfect venue to catch an evening concert, after which you can hit the trendy LoDo or Lower Downtown hangouts for a lively night out.

Group Downtown Denver Food Tour

Eat your way through downtown Denver during this walking food tour. Meet your guide, who will take you to five award-winning local restaurants. Try authentic Neapolitan pizza that has been certified by Italy’s Pizza Association. Sample the famous Colorado green chili, made from scratch, and enjoy fluffy baked empanadas from a family-owned shop. Then, sit down to Southwestern fusion cuisine at the renovated Dairy Block, the oldest hotel in Denver. 

Complete your meal with dessert prepared by a James Beard award-winning chef at an establishment located inside the historic Union Station. In between tastings, your guide will regale you with stories about Denver’s rich history and architecture. Learn about the city’s Wild West days, secret tunnels, and famous bordellos. You will also visit landmarks such as Coors Field and McGregor Square along the way.