Rocky Mountaineer will introduce a new rail journey through southwest America in 2021. 

The Rockies to the Red Rocks route will be a two-day rail journey between Denver, Colorado and Moab in Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

The new route will be in addition to the three rail routes that run in western Canada between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.

Rocky Mountaineer will launch the route with a preview season of 40 departures across 10 weeks from August 15 to October 23, 2021.

The company said it was also working with local tourism organisations, hotels and tour operators to curate custom packages that feature tours, activities and stays in Denver and Moab. 

Founder Peter Armstrong said: “Rocky Mountaineer will bring a new luxury train tour to explore the historic rail route between Denver and Moab. Over the past 30 years, Rocky Mountaineer has become renowned for our world-class train travel experiences, and now we are opening our newest train experience in the region where train travel history began.

“This region, with its magnificent scenery, national parks, vast opportunities to explore, will delight millions.” 

President and chief executive, Steve Sammut, added: “The work to find a new route has been underway for several years as we needed to find a special location with many of the same features we have in Western Canada – incredibly scenery, iconic destinations, and the option for an all daytime, multi-day journey that is best experienced by train. 

“Rockies to the Red Rocks will have all of this and more, and is an opportunity to bring our award-winning Rocky Mountaineer experience to showcase the epic scenery of the Southwest United States.

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the travel industry, and there is continued uncertainty of when tourism will recover. However, we believe American travellers, and those from around the world, will be eager to explore this region by rail with us and we look forward to welcoming them in 2021 and beyond.” 

The two-day rail journeys, including a one-night hotel accommodation in Glenwood Springs, will start from $1,250 plus tax per person.

It can be booked in advance with a $25 refundable deposit.