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I recently read an article about the Rocky Mountaineer that caught my attention. The tour company announced a new route from Colorado to Utah for 2021.
What is the Rocky Mountaineer?
The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury train tour in the Canadian Rockies. I’m familiar with the company because my mom has been talking about going on that train since I was a little girl. My parents finally booked the trip a few years ago, but unfortunately had to cancel due to illness.
The train currently has three routes in Western Canada that includes scenery from Vancouver, Jasper, Whistler and Lake Louise/Banff. Tour packages range from two days to 13 days and can include sightseeing in the national parks. All train travel is done during the day. Instead of sleeping on the train, guests stay overnight in hotels.
What makes this train tour luxurious is the on-board experience. Train cars are glass-domed for optimal viewing. Guests can also go to outdoor viewing platforms. Gourmet meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are included. In addition, storytellers teach passengers the history and facts of each area. These are nothing like Amtrak trains.
New Route Coming to USA
In 2021, the Rocky Mountaineer will begin a new route from Colorado to Utah. Starting in Denver, guests will stay overnight in Glenwood Springs and then continue to Moab, Utah the next day. Possible tours include sightseeing in Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, the Grand Canyon and more. See here for more details.
Tours and packages are not yet available to book, but prices for the shortest tour start at $1250 per person. That price includes hotel and food on the train.
I’m not sure that I would personally book the US route of the Rocky Mountaineer only because I’ve been on Amtrak on the same route four times (see my last journey on the Amtrak California Zephyr here). Of course, none of my Amtrak trips were “luxurious” by any stretch of the imagination. But, the scenery is the same.
However, as I get older, I find myself more drawn to these type of pampered tours. I wouldn’t mind going on the Rocky Mountaineer’s Canadian routes, as the scenery looks breathtaking and spectacular.
Does the Rocky Mountaineer train tour in the USA interest you? Or, would you rather save the money and see the sights on Amtrak or by car?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
One thing this train will do differently from Amtrak is to travel down the Moab branch line from Thompson Springs, UT to Moab. That leg has never seen an Amtrak train and this would be new trackage for everyone. Otherwise, I have to agree with you that the scenery from Denver to Grand Junction CO on Amtrak is some of the most spectacular and most diverse of any train trip anywhere in the world at a fraction of what the Mountaineer would charge.
@alaskageo Wow, I didn’t know that!
Nancy, you must safe your cash and take the trip. I have travelled on the Rocky Mountaineer twice, once from Banff and once from Jasper. On the latter journey a black bear was calmly walking beside the track as we left Jasper. It is worth splashing out for the Gold Leaf service if possible but you see the same sights from the Red Leaf carriages as well so it is your choice, I live in the UK so they were quite expensive for me with air fares on top but I felt it well worth the expense,
@Barbara Glad to hear you enjoyed your trips. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Rocky Mountaineer!
These mysterious landscapes of Utah never cease to amaze me. I would very much like to see everything with my own eyes. Hope I can be there someday …
@Milos I hope you can!
I took my parents on The Rocky Mountaineer in 2018 and is was breathtakingly beautiful. We saw a grizzly bear mama with her cubs hunting fish by a river. We also saw bald eagles flying above. The service onboard and food was better than what we experienced on a cruise ship. Personalized service and top quality dishes. It was a trip of a lifetime we will never forget. I highly recommend it.
@Iverge It sounds like a spectacular trip!
Hi Nancy: My wife and I took took the Rocky Mountaineer in 2019 on a RT adventure, Seattle, Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, Whistler and back to Vancouver. Not a budget trip but you are pampered. Alberta Beef and British Columbia wines…..oh and the photo opportunities.
So a Rocky Mountain and Canyonlands rail trip. Sign us up. Colorado Steaks and Denver Micro Brews!
Jim in Ridgefield, Wa.
@Jim It sounds like you had an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m adding the trip to my wish list.