Rocky Mountain Train Tours Available to You

Since winter driving in the mountains is treacherous, many travelers do not vacation during the colder months. This trend of staying at home during the winter are being changed by train tours of the National Parks in the Rocky Mountains. The train tour of the Rockies is offered by Amtrak and begins in Chicago, Illinois. Two trains, the Amtrak's California Zephyr and the Montana Empire Builder will take you through some of the most majestic scenery of the Rocky Mountain area. Packed full of activities and excursions the train trip will take you through Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, the lower half of Glacier National Park, and many mountain towns of historical significance.

The fare includes rail fare round-trip from and to Chicago. The fare also includes lodging for 10 days as you travel across the great Western portion of the US. Any excursions or sightseeing adventures that you wish to go on will also be paid for through the one-time fare. This all-inclusive train tour will include all your meals and all transportation to and from your activities. The two trains have a hands-on staff professional tour director on board who will try to serve your every wish in your adventure across the mountains.

Highlights of the tour include a train ride from Denver up the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Continental divide where you will be immersed in total darkness as you travel the six mile long Moffat Tunnel. On the other set of the divide you will see the headwaters of the Colorado River at they rage down Glenwood Canyon. At the end of the day, you will stop in Salt Lake City where you will spend the night at a hotel directly across from the Mormon Tabernacle. Here you will have time to visit shops, museums, and other attractions that Salt Lake City offers.

As you leave Salt Lake you'll head northeast towards the Tetons in Yellowstone National Parks. There you will have an excursion into the back country using a horse-drawn sleigh which will allow you to view Elk, Buffalo, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. You will see many areas of the parks that many visitors do not see including all the geysers, hot springs, and the natural wonders of nature. You'll be staying at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in Yellowstone Park. This will be the starting point from which you can pick from many adventures to choose from.

Leaving Yellowstone, you will cross the Montana Mountains to the lower part of Glacier National Park. You will be served lunch in a sightseeing car where you will be able to see snowcapped peaks and large glaciers moving slowly down the mountain. As you leave Glacier National Park, you will cross Montana's prairies and will be able to view the Great Plains as they really are. Eleven days from your departure in Chicago, you will arrive back in Chicago. The trip is longer than most tours, so adequate clothing and personal effects need to be planned for during the journey. Remember that this is a winter tour, so bring plenty of warm clothes and any other winter equipment you might think necessary for participating in outside activities. Even though you are traveling in a warm passenger car, the excursions and the activities are usually outside.

Of all of the all-inclusive vacations out there, seeing the Rocky Mountains by rail is one of the most adventurous and rewarding of them all.