Ruins and Rails Package

Includes:

• (2) Nights in Durango at your choice of the Holiday Inn, Strater Hotel, or Days End. (Continental breakfast served at Strater Hotel.)

• (2) Round-trip tickets on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Entrance into both the Durango and Silverton railroad museums.

• (1) Night at the Holiday Inn Express in Cortez with deluxe continental breakfast.

• 1/2-day professionally guided bus tour of the park for 2 people. (National Park entrance fee not included. Gold passes accepted).

Options:

• Add extra nights to your trip (in Durango, Cortez, Silverton, and/or Ouray)

• Add additional activities to your itinerary: river trips, jeep tours, horseback rides, wildlife and farm tours, and much more!

• Train Upgrades (limited availability and pricing upgrades): Deluxe class San Juan and Rio Grande cars, First class Parlor and Silver Vista cars, Presidential class Cinco Animas and Nomad cars, and Motor Coach/Train combination.

Description:
This popular three-night vacation package combines your lodging with the two most sought-after attractions in Southwest Colorado - The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Mesa Verde National Park.

Your first two nights you'll stay in Durango, Colorado, at your choice of Durango lodging option, including options located in downtown Durango, in-town along the trolley route and out of town.

Your first morning in Durango you'll ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which winds through the spectacular and breathtaking canyons in the remote wilderness of the two million acre San Juan National Forest. You will relive history with the sights and sounds of yesteryear on this 1882 adventure from Durango to Silverton, Colorado. The coal-fired, steam-operated locomotives are maintained in their original 1923-1925 vintage condition. In Durango, take time to enjoy the Railroad Museum, located in the rail yard roundhouse featuring full-size locomotives, maps, photos, artwork, memorabilia, and authentic collectibles. While in Silverton, visit the Freight Yard Museum at the depot and learn about the history of the Rio Grande Railway as a freight line, enjoy lunch, and stroll this historic town's many quaint shops.

You will return to Durango early evening. You'll have time to browse the downtown shops, have a fabulous dinner at one of Durango's many fine eating establishments, and take in an evening show with the Henry Strater Theatre.

On Day 2 of your trip, you will take a scenic 1 hr. and 15 min. drive on Highway 160 East to Mesa Verde National Park. (Park entrance fee is included in the full day "Ruins and Rails" tour price but is not included in 1/2 day tour package price. Gold passes are accepted.) Mesa Verde National Park is home to the ancient ruins of the Pueblo Indians (formerly known as Anasazi), a thriving culture and creative people who lived in magnificent cliff dwellings of hand-hewn stone - over six centuries ago! The readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated this internationally known treasure "the #1 historic monument destination of the world!"

With two options to choose from, you can choose the Mesa Verde Tour that is right for your family. Take a full day tour with the "Ruins and Rails" tour provided by Mesa Verde Tours - enjoying a full service tour that includes lunch, refreshments and all of your park fees. This tour will take you on a fascinating journey through time with a modern interpretation of the architecture, anthropology and culture of the ancient Puebloan peoples (formerly known as the Anasazi). For a shorter trip option, make the most of your visit to Mesa Verde National Park with a three-hour, fascinating ranger guided bus tour. This tour does not include entrance to the park or lunch but has two different departure times for your convenience. The morning tour departs 8:00AM; the afternoon tour departs 1:00 PM. Professional park guides will bring the history to life while you explore the haunting cliff dwellings - the largest in North America.

Note: Train tickets for children under 5 are free if seated on an adults lap. If a seat is required, you must purchase a child's ticket.