GrandLuxe Rail Journeys
National Parks of the WestIRT Group Departure: May 17-25, 2007
with Karl Zimmermann
9 days, 8 nightsEarly booking deadline extended to March 21!
(on May 17 departure only)
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Southbound Itinerary
Day 1: Jackson, Wyoming (D)
Arrive Jackson. Meet your fellow travelers at a special welcome dinner. Spend the night at a Jackson/Teton Village area deluxe hotel.
Day 2: Grand Teton National Park (B, L, D)
This first morning you will be awe-inspired as you discover pine forests, aspen groves in lush valleys, and dramatic mountains that reach skyward. You will be able to explore this mountain range today with visits to Jenny Lake—a majestic yet tranquil site favored by sightseers and photographers—and the Church of the Transfiguration, a truly rustic log chapel. For an additional cost, you can add an optional excursion which begins with an early breakfast followed by a gentle and scenic float trip on the Snake River. Once the group is reunited, spend time enjoying the collection at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. This museum overlooks an impressive elk refuge. After a full day of touring, your deluxe hotel provides dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park (B, L, D)
Visit and learn about the two million acres of protected land at Yellowstone National Park. This area is inhabited by bald eagles, bears, and herds of bison & elk. The 10,000 boiling springs, mud pots, and geysers – including Old Faithful – are testimony to the geothermal activity rising unusually close to the earth’s surface. Guides will lead us to the Fountain Paint Pots and Old Faithful – where you will enjoy a scenic picnic lunch. You will also venture to West Thumb Geyser Basin, one of the smallest yet most picturesque geyser basins in Yellowstone. At an additional cost, add a 3-mile hike excursion to a backcountry geyser and learn even more about Yellowstone’s thermal features. Later you will transfer to the GrandLuxe train for an appetizing five-course dinner and your first night onboard the train. Sleep in comfort in your private cabin as the train makes its way to Salt Lake City.
Day 4: Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah (B, L, D)
Your visit to Utah affords you the opportunity to tour Olympic venues and to perhaps even listen to a recital by an organist for the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City. Later in the day you’ll unwind in the beautiful mountain resort town of Park City – site of the recent Winter Olympic Games. Enjoy another restful night onboard the GrandLuxe train en route to Las Vegas.
Day 5: Las Vegas with options to Zion or Grand Canyon (B, L, D)
Today you can enjoy the city or the wilderness of the amazing area. You can spend the day touring Las Vegas where you can see everything from the Eiffel Tower to the canals of Venice while indulging in world-class shopping and first-rate dinning along the way. Or you can choose to visit the Hoover Dam or view the Grand Canyon’s West Rim. Yet another option (at an additional cost) is a Grand Canyon float trip or even a day trip by plane to the magnificent Zion National Park to visit an area early settlers called the "Heavenly City of God." Later enjoy a relaxing evening onboard the train. Delight in complimentary wine with dinner and another relaxing night in your cabin as the train continues on to the Grand Canyon.
Day 6: Grand Canyon National Park (B, L, D)
The unparalleled majesty of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River greets you this morning as the train makes its arrival to this remarkable region. With its unfathomable dimensions – 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep – this geologic wonder is perhaps the nation’s most spectacular National Park. You’ll spend the day at the South Rim where the colors of the plateaus and mesas change with the shifting light and shadows. From a stop at Yavapai Point, you can hike to El Tovar – a landmark hotel built in 1905 – or you can continue on to the Mather Point Visitor Center for breathtaking views of the canyon. Take pleasure in your canyon-side lunch with time to stroll along the South Rim. Back onboard the GrandLuxe train, enjoy a satisfying dinner and then gather around the baby grand piano in the club car as you journey in comfortable style toward Sedona.
Day 7: Sedona, Arizona (B, L, D)
You will awake this morning as the GrandLuxe train completes its final leg to Flagstaff. Next board a waiting motor coach for a short ride to Sedona – A feast for eyes and palate! Sedona is as full of beautiful art work as it is surrounded by natural beauty. Take pleasure in lunch al fresco (weather permitting) amidst the red rock spires at Sedona’s top rated resort. Shop at Sedona’s arts & crafts village or visit the little-known artist community of Jerome. Back onboard the train, dinner and dessert is accompanied by brilliant desert scenery on the way to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Day 8: Santa Fe, New Mexico (B, L, D)
Santa Fe calls itself "the city different," and your visit to this impressive area will clearly show you why. Santa Fe is a city that embraces its natural environment unlike any other in the United States. Renowned for its amazing artists and inventive chefs, Santa Fe is the perfect place to spend the last full day of your GrandLuxe adventure. Take time by yourself to tour world-renowned galleries, shops, and museums such as Georgia O’Keefe’s Museum and the Institute of American Indian Arts or walk with a tour guide through downtown and on to an artist’s home and studio. Dine at a fine restaurant in this wonderfully culinary city. Late in the afternoon, reboard the train for your Farwell Dinner and then cozy up in your cabin for your final night of your GrandLuxe rail journey.
Day 9: Albuquerque, New Mexico (B)
Your GrandLuxe rail journey comes to a close this morning as we arrive in Albuquerque, a city that traces its roots back three centuries. Say farewell to the friends you have made on your journey through the National Parks of the West. Stay in Albuquerque for additional sightseeing or head to the airport for your flight home.
Available tour dates:
May 17-25* (Southbound)
May 27-June 4* (Northbound)
May 31-June 8* (Southbound)
June 10-18* (Northbound)
August 23-31* (Southbound)April 29-May 7 (Northbound)
May 3-11 (Southbound)
May 13-21 (Northbound)May 17-25 is IRT's group departure with Karl Zimmermann.
*Pricing for May 17-August 23 Departures:
Type of accommodations Retail Rate Early Booking Rate
(Must be booked 180+ Days Prior to Departure)Vintage Pullman $4,670 $4,370 Single Sleeper $5,710 $5,410 Classic Presidential Suite $6,440 $6,140 Grand Suite $6,750 $6,450 Pricing for April 29-May 13 Departures:
Type of accommodations Retail Rate Early Booking Rate
(Must be booked 180+ Days Prior to Departure)Vintage Pullman $4,490 $4,190 Single Sleeper $5,490 $5,190 Classic Presidential Suite $6,190 $5,890 Grand Suite $6,490 $6,190
Book 180 days+ prior to departure and save $300 per person!
Early booking rate for May 17 departure extended through March 21!
Sleeping Accommodations
Vintage Pullman: Upper and lower beds, converted full-size couch, private sink and water closet.
Single Sleeper: Lower bed, converted single sofa seat, private sink, and water closet.
Classic Presidential Suite: Double-size cabin with two lower beds, two converted single sofa seats or a converted couch, private sink, water closet and shower.
Grand Suite: Larger cabin with two lower beds in an "L" configuration, converted full-size couch and converted single sofa seat, table, private sink, water closet and shower.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
Click here to send us an e-mail
