Indulge your senses with some of best scenery the Southwest has to offer. This amazing adventure is steeped in history and full of opportunities to explore the magnificent scenery and iconic destinations of the region. The train winds for two days alongside rivers, through the Rocky Mountains, and past ancient rock formations as it travels from the mile-high city of Denver to the red rock formations of Moab.
Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Colorado River surrounded by red rock canyons while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying musical entertainment. Visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park with an expert guide. Enjoy a winery tour and tasting in Colorado wine country, named the third best wine region in the U.S. Many exciting adventures await you on this incredible rail and road vacation!
September 6-11, 2025
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Five nights’ hotel accommodations
- 12 meals: five breakfasts, three lunches, and four dinners
- Rocky Mountaineer — SilverLeaf luxury rail service from Denver to Moab
- On-board hosts
- All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
- Deluxe motor coach transportation
- Professional driver and tour guide in the national parks
- Our State host
- Baggage handling (one bag per person) and hotel transfers
- Hotel tips, restaurant tips for included meals, and local taxes
Itinerary Highlights:
- Two-day Rocky Mountaineer train adventure
- Regionally inspired lunch on Day 1 of the train ride
- Breakfasts each morning on the train
- Two national parks: Arches and Canyonlands
- Boat cruise along the Colorado River with music and wine
- Winery tour and tasting at Two Rivers Winery and Chateau
- Five course winemakers’ dinner at Two Rivers Winery and Chateau
- Riverside cowboy barbecue dinner
Accommodations:
- One night in Denver: Renaissance Hotel or Courtyard by Marriott
- One night in Glenwood Springs
- Two nights in Moab: Element Hotel
- One night in Grand Junction: SpringHill Suites Grand Junction
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Denver
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Depart on your flight from Raleigh to Denver. Upon arrival, there will be a group transfer from the airport to your downtown Denver hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant while getting acquainted with your traveling companions.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel or Courtyard by Marriott
Meals: Dinner
Rocky Mountaineer Photography courtesy of AAA Travel
Day 2: Glenwood Springs via Rocky Mountaineer
Sunday, September 7, 2025
You will be transfered this morning from your downtown hotel to Union Station Downtown Denver for check-in. There you will gather at the Rocky Mountaineer boarding area. Today you will set out past the towering Rockies on your journey to Glenwood Springs. Enjoy a breakfast and beverage while taking in the scenic views of the Gross Reservoir Dam. Celebrate crossing the Continental Divide with a sparkling wine toast while cutting through 6.3 miles of mountain in Moffatt Tunnel, an engineering marvel. Dine on a three-course, regionally inspired lunch as hosts captivate you with stories of the region. Arrive in Glenwood Springs and disembark to the comfort of your hotel room for an overnight. Dinner is on your own.
Overnight: Glenwood Springs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a nice glass of wine by the water. Photography courtesy of AAA Travel
Day 3: Rocky Mountaineer to Moab
Monday, September 8, 2025
Depart Glenwood Springs heading southwest for another day of extraordinary views, venturing toward colorful archways and amazing rock formations. While enjoying breakfast on board, enjoy the stunning red rock formations alongside the cliffs of Ruby Canyon and Mount Garfield while crossing the state line into Utah. Arrive in Moab, with its striking red sandstone backdrop. Board our private motor coach and head into Moab for shopping and lunch on your own before checking in to our hotel. This evening, enjoy a spectacular boat ride on the Colorado River, surrounded by red sandstone cliffs while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying musical entertainment as a precursor to the riverside cowboy barbecue dinner.
Overnight: Element Hotel in Moab, Utah
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Arches National Park Photography courtesy of AAA Travel
Day 4: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
This morning, we head to Arches National Park for spectacular scenic viewing. The 18,000-square-foot visitor center will introduce you to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world, with more than 2,000 named arches. Visit the park highlights, including Balance Rock, The Windows, and Delicate Arch. Then we will take a scenic drive into Canyonlands National Park for spectacular views. We will take a scenic rest stop to enjoy a picnic lunch. We will return to the hotel for a short break before enjoying dinner as a group at a historic local restaurant with a spectacular view.
Overnight: Element Hotel in Moab, Utah
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Two Rivers Winery and Chateaux Photography courtesy of AAA Travel
Day 5: Moab • Grand Junction
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the outdoor pool or spa at the hotel, or an early morning hike. We will depart to Grand Junction late morning with free time for lunch and some shopping. After you check in to your hotel, you will have time to relax and freshen up. We end the day with a visit to the charming and elegant Two Rivers Winery and Chateau, set against the Colorado National Monument. We’ll tour their wine production area, followed by a wine tasting in their beautiful tasting room and a spectacular five-course winemakers’ dinner, where we will enjoy a wine pairing and education with each course. This is a tour highlight and a great way to end the tour, together with the friends you have made along the way.
Overnight: SpringHill Suites Grand Junction
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Georgetown, Colorado • Departure
Thursday, September 11, 2025
After breakfast, journey to Georgetown, Colorado, a historic, picturesque town in the heart of the Rockies. Enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant with time to explore before traveling to the Denver airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour Rates:
Regular rate: $5,399 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single rate: $5,999
For Reservations & More Information:
AAA Travel
Sandra Horton
(919) 489-3306, ext. 13505
sdhorton@acg.aaa.com
For more information on physical requirements and what to expect on an Our State trip, click here.