It's true to the Great American tradition for incredible roads and scenery, with some out-of-the-way surprises mixed in. As always, accommodations and meals are high quality, as you would expect from us, but on this tour they are provided at a more moderate level than on our Signature tours. Breakfast every day is included and so are a number of dinners. Lunch is on your own.
If you want to see as much of the Western US as possible on a two-week vacation, it will be would be difficult to come up with a better Southwestern adventure than this! We begin in the entertainment capital of the United States - Las Vegas. If you'd like to come to Las Vegas early or stay a few days after the tour, let us know and we'll make the arrangements for you. Your motorcycle rental can also be extended.
We leave Saturday morning for town of Springdale, located at the south gate of Zion National Park - established in 1919. Zion meant “resting place” to the Mormon settlers in the area. Sheer cliffs of Navajo Sandstone rising 2,000 ft. above the green valley floor, narrow canyons cut by the Virgin River, and hiking trails with steep vertical drops offer unlimited photo opportunities. Nightly bus rides into the Park are available to view the stars.
The hamlet of Tropic is located on the east side of Bryce Canyon National Park and was the home of Ebenezer Bryce, the namesake of the park. Local settlers would remark that the area was “a hell of a place to lose a cow”. You’ll know why when you see it! The road from Tropic to Torrey is an incredibly unique desert ridge top road with memorable views of all sides. It’s one of those safe-but-scary (or is it scary-but-safe?) experiences that makes traveling on two wheels such a thrill.
Capitol Reef National Park is larger than Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks combined. The park was set aside to protect the Water pocket Fold, a great hump on the earth’s surface stretching nearly 100 miles from Thousand Lake Mountain to the north to the southern boundary of the park where it meets lake Powell.
The “reef” is an up thrust ridge with a cliff face that rises above its surroundings and stands as a forbidding barrier to travel. On top of Capitol Reef are white domes of Navajo sandstone that early pioneers thought resembled the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Our route takes us north, and over the next few days, we'll visit areas famous for both natural beauty and their Native American Heritage. Canyonlands, Arches, Natural Bridges and other points of interest lend plenty of opportunities for hiking and photography. Monument Valley, with its unique sandstone features rising from the desert floor, is home to the Navajo People. Roadside traders offer a vast assortment of truly unique Native American jewelry and other artful items.
The local Navajo give back-road jeep tours of the region and their perspective on the history and culture of the region is an interesting complement to our view from two wheels. We've been in primarily in the desert since leaving Las Vegas and some mountains would be nice for a change. No problem, we'll ride east into Colorado. The road to Durango also takes us to Mesa Verde National Park, home of some of the most extensive and well-preserved Native American habitats in existence.
The next day we'll ride another of the most famous and beautiful roads in America, the San Juan Skyway, including the "Million Dollar Highway", so named because there are actually flecks of low grade gold ore the road bed. We'll visit Telluride and Ouray, the "little Switzerland" of Colorado along the way, and maybe even take a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring. This is gorgeous country, and the lush green forests, swift streams, and mountain lakes are a dramatic contrast to the stark Canyonlands of Utah.
Our departure from Durango points us in the direction of northern New Mexico, We stop in Taos and take a run around the "Enchanted Circle" before continuing south to Albuquerque NM. We'll take the scenic route, spending a night along way, exploring ghost towns and doing what we love best, riding motorcycles. Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona and Jerome provide some of the best riding to be found in Arizona.
Then there's the hole in the ground just north of Flagstaff. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is truly spectacular and we'll have plenty of time to see it under the changing light of the Arizona sky. Stops at the best of the overlooks and lunch at the edge of the abyss will show us many perspectives of this wonder of the world.
We stay two nights in a classic Rt. 66 motor hotel, and options for our "day off" include hiking, a trek into the canyon on the back of a sure-footed mule, whitewater rafting, a helicopter ride, and more. Some of these excursions will require additional fees or advance reservations, we'll help you make arrangements if you like.
Our ride back to Las Vegas takes us across western Arizona on the legendary Rt. 66, the "Mother Road" of the USA. Time seems to have stood still as we explore the roadside charm of towns like Peach Springs, Truxton and Hackberry. If anyone is inclined to add state 6 to our list of accomplishments for the trip, go ahead and cross the Colorado River to visit Needles, CA - which often claims the honors for the highest daily temperature in the USA.
We arrive back in Vegas on Monday, Sept. 17. You can plan your flight home for anytime on Saturday, or stick around as long as you like. I'm not a gambler, but I'd be willing to bet that you'll feel luckier after being on this adventure for two weeks than you will after an extra night or two in the casinos!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Starts / Ends in Las Vegas, NV
- Arrive Sept. 2 / Depart Sept. 17, 2007
- Reserve by July 3, 2007
- Approximate Miles** 2,800
- Rider, Shared Room $4995 / $3495*
- Rider, Private Room $5795 / $4295*
- Rider w/Passenger, Shared Room $6495 / $4995*
Price Includes:
- Meals 14B, 7D
- Motorcycle Rental
- Using your bike
- Plus optional riding on rest days
- Harley-Davidson motorcycle
- Accommodations
- Support Vehicle
- Experienced staff at your service.
Note: Unlike some tours in this price range, a Support Vehicle will accompany us to carry luggage, non-riders or weary passengers, or (let's hope not) a disabled motorcycle.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Arizona
Utah
Colorado
Motorcycle Tours
National Parks
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