Trip Itinerary
PRE TOUR CONNECTION
Not included in the price of tour.*
America by Rail will arrange for Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta tour participants from Southern California to travel to Sacramento the day prior to DAY ONE, Saturday, September 29.
Tour participants from Southern California will board the Pacific Surfliner for Los Angeles. Members will board in San Diego (6:10 a.m.), Oceanside (7:01 a.m.), Santa Ana (7:57 a.m.), Anaheim (8:06 a.m.), Fullerton (8:15 a.m.) and arrive in Los Angeles at 8:50 a.m.
Southern California tour members will board the Coast Starlight for its 10:20 a.m. departure. There is comfortable seating on this double-decker train. You’ll want to go to the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car for spectacular viewing.
Snacks, sandwiches and beverages are available. Full course lunch and dinner are optional. Additional tour members will join in Santa Barbara (12:48 p.m.), San Luis Obispo (3.43 p.m.) and San Jose (8:27 p.m.). Arrival into Sacramento is scheduled for 11:59 p.m.
Day 1: En Route
Southern California tour members will transfer to the Sacramento Amtrak station for the 11:09 a.m. departure of the California Zephyr.
Members from the San Joaquin Valley will board a northbound San Joaquin train in Bakersfield (4:55 a.m.), Fresno (6:50 a.m.), Merced (4:55 a.m.), Modesto (8:28 a.m.), Stockton (9:01 a.m.) and arrive into Sacramento at 9:35 a.m. and board the California Zephyr with the rest of the members.
Relax in your reclining coach seat with leg rest. Private Roomette or Bedroom sleeping accommodations are available for an additional cost. Go to the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car for spectacular viewing. All tastefully prepared full-course dining car meals are included.
As we travel eastward we leave the lush landscape and palm trees of California and enter the rugged terrain dotted with pine trees of the high Sierra Mountains. We’ll pass through the famous Donner Pass this afternoon.
Meal(s): L & D
Day 2: En Route / Grand Junction
You’ll continue through the desolate landscapes of Utah this morning. You will enter the western canyons of Colorado.
Your arrival into Grand Junction is scheduled for 10:23 a.m. You’ll transfer the short distance to our home for the evening, the Grand Vista Hotel.
Grand Junction is a modern city of 28,000 located on the western slopes of the mountains. You’ll have time to rest or see the sights this afternoon.
Meal(s): B
Day 3: Durango
Breakfast is included. Our day begins this morning when we travel by motorcoach the short distance to the famous Colorado National Monument. The Monument is seamed with canyons more than a thousand feet deep and can be viewed from overlooks along Rim Rock Drive which skirts the canyon rims. Isolated monoliths include Independence Rock, Balanced Rock, Coke Ovens and Pipe Organ.
We’ll continue southward. An “on-your-own” lunch is scheduled for Delta. At mid afternoon our travelers will arrive at the awesome Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Gunnison River gorge is one of the most amazing geological displays in the West. The Hampton Inn in Montrose, Colorado, is our home for the night. Dinner is included at a nearby restaurant.
Meal(s): B & D
Day 4: Durango
We’ll begin the day with an included Continental breakfast. We’ll reboard our motorcoach and continue south through the picturesque San Juan Mountains to Silverton.
Silverton is a typical wild-west mining community with a rather infamous past. There will be time to walk along Blair Street with its false-fronted buildings typical of the Old West and to have an “on-your-own” lunch.
A high point of our tour will occur this afternoon when we ride the famous Durango & Silverton Scenic Railroad. The steam-powered, narrow-gauge train travels through the remote wilderness of the San Juan National Forest, following the winding Animas River through breathtaking mountain scenery. The 45-mile, three-and-a-half hour rail journey will end in the charming city of Durango.
Durango is the commercial center for the ranching and mining enterprises of southwest Colorado surrounded by the picturesque San Juan Mountains. The city thrived as a railroad and mining center in the late 1800s. Much of the downtown area has been restored to its Victorian past. Our hotel will be the attractive Strater Hotel.
Meal(s): CB
Day 5: Taos / Santa Fe
After a Continental Breakfast in our hotel we’ll head south by motorcoach to historic Taos.
We will arrive into Taos in time for an “on-your-own” lunch. Following lunch we’ll go on a two-hour sightseeing tour of the city prior to leaving for Santa Fe.
Our arrival into Santa Fe is scheduled for late afternoon. We’ll spend the next two evenings at the historic and charming La Fonda on the Plaza. Our hotel is located one block from the Santa Fe Plaza.
This evening we’re off to the unique La Casa Sena Restaurant. The waiters and bartenders are professional singers. After they have taken your dinner order, they will present their “Best of Broadway” revue. Past and present show favorites are featured, including a number of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs. Dinner and entertainment are included. CB & D
Day 6: Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the cultural and artistic capital of the Great American Southwest. At 10:00 a.m. we’ll embark on a two-hour tour of Santa Fe. You’ll see the Palace of Governors, the oldest public building in the United States; the old market place; the Museum of International Folk Art; and travel along Canyon Road, the trail of the Rio Grande Pueblo Indians and route of Don Diego De Vargas. You’re free this afternoon and evening to enjoy the famed Santa Fe Plaza and other popular centrally located attractions.
Day 7: Albuquerque
You’re free this morning to pursue some last minute shopping at the Plaza.
The Rail Runner is a relatively new rail service that connects Santa Fe and Albuquerque. You’ll depart on one of the colorful, double-decker trains at 12:14 p.m. and arrive in downtown Albuquerque at 1:49 p.m.
Upon arrival, you’ll transfer to the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. You’re free the rest of the day to become familiar with Albuquerque, a city of about 400,000, and New Mexico’s largest.
Day 8: Balloon Fiesta
Today’s activities are completely focused on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Our day will need to begin early. We’ll be at the Fiesta Park by 6:30 a.m. for the Mass Ascension. You are about to witness the most spectacular display of sound and color in all aviation. The participating balloons are launched in two waves. There will be other activities, including the Fiesta of Wheels Car Show.
We’ll return to our hotel at mid morning. You’re free to rest or visit a number of attractions in Old Town.
Founded in 1706, Old Town, is a visible record of Albuquerque’s ability to turn a small village into a large city. Choose from a variety of arts, crafts and delicacies. Indians also vend their handicrafts around the plaza; bargaining is in order.
At 4:30 p.m. we’ll return to the Fiesta Park. A dinner is served in the Hospitality Tent. At 5:45 p.m. it’s time for one of the Fiesta’s most popular events . . . the Balloon Glow. The sight of hundreds of balloons lit from within at night, like giant holiday ornaments, is breathtaking. The Balloon Glow is followed by a most spectacular fireworks display.
Meal(s): D
Day 9: En Route
This morning we’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of beautiful Albuquerque. A stop will be made at the Indian Cultural Center. When you enter this unique facility you’ll feel as if you have entered another, more ancient world. The building features exhibits on the history of New Mexico’s 19 Indian Pueblos.
The rest of today you are free to explore the area or rest in your hotel.
Day 10: En Route
This morning you are again free to explore Albuquerque.
This afternoon you will board the Southwest Chief prior to its 4:45 p.m. departure for Los Angeles. You will enjoy the same amenities you enjoyed on your eastbound trip.
Relax in your reclining coach seat with leg rest. Roomette or Bedrooms are available for an additional cost.
Meal(s): D
Day 11: En Route to Los Angeles
Arrival into Los Angeles’ beautiful Union Station is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Tour members will depart Los Angeles throughout the day for home destinations.
Meal(s): B
*An additional $75 p.p./d.o.; $150 Single for those requiring a pre-tour night in Sacramento. Call for connecting rail pricing.