Durango: Zipline Tour with Private Train & Lunch

Summary

Ziplining above Animas River with train ride lunch and forest stories

You’ll glide above Durango’s Animas River on 27 ziplines, ride a private train through old-growth forest with your local guide sharing stories along the way, and sit down to a four-course lunch high in the trees. Expect laughter, shaky hands at first (mine were), and views you’ll remember long after you’re back home.

What’s the experience like?

We were already rumbling along the tracks through the Ponderosa pines when I realized how quiet it got outside the train car — just that low whistle and the click of wheels. Our guide, Sarah, pointed out a hawk circling above the river, which I almost missed because I was still distracted by the smell of pine sap and coffee from someone’s thermos. The private train felt like something out of a different decade — plush seats, big windows, everyone sort of looking around at each other with that “are we really doing this?” grin. By the time we rolled up to Soaring Tree Top Adventures, my nerves had kicked in for the zipline part.

The first zipline was short — maybe 60 feet — but my hands were shaking anyway. I heard someone behind me laugh (I think it was one of the guides, maybe Li?), and suddenly it felt less scary. After that, it was just span after span, some so long you could see your shadow racing over rocks and water below. There was this moment halfway through where I caught a whiff of woodsmoke drifting up from somewhere downriver — no idea if it was real or just my brain making things up because everything felt sharper up there. Lunch happened on a wooden platform in the trees, overlooking the Animas River; I went for turkey focaccia and soup but kept eyeing someone’s apple crisp across the table.

I didn’t expect to learn much about forests on a zipline tour, but Sarah kept stopping us to show tiny wildflowers or explain why some trees looked scorched (lightning strikes — who knew?). She told us ages 4 to 94 had done this course, which made me feel slightly less heroic about my own effort. My favorite part wasn’t even the longest zipline — it was just hanging there for a second before pushing off again, feeling like you’re floating above everything else. The ride back on the train felt slower somehow; maybe everyone was tired or just full from all that food. Or maybe we were all quietly replaying our favorite spans in our heads.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zipline adventure with train and lunch

• Ride first-class train to Soaring
• Spend 5.5 hours ziplining
• Zipline on 27 unique spans
• Enjoy four-course gourmet lunch in trees
• Take ecology tour of Ponderosa forest
• Return by first-class train

Top questions

How long is the Durango zipline tour?

The tour lasts all day with about 5.5 hours spent ziplining plus time for lunch and travel by train.

Is lunch included during the Soaring Tree Top Adventures tour?

Yes, a four-course gourmet lunch is served on an elevated platform overlooking the Animas River.

What ages can do this Durango zipline adventure?

The tour welcomes guests ages 4 to 94 who have at least moderate physical fitness.

How many ziplines are there at Soaring Tree Top Adventures?

The course features 27 unique zipline spans ranging from 56 to 1,400 feet.

Does this day trip include transportation?

Yes, private first-class train transportation to and from Soaring is included.

Are there any health restrictions for this Durango zipline tour?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes private round-trip transportation aboard first-class train cars through Colorado forest scenery, all necessary zipline equipment for every span at Soaring Tree Top Adventures in Durango, an ecology tour led by local guides throughout your adventure, plus a four-course gourmet lunch served high among the trees before heading back by train in late afternoon.