America the beautiful! Red desert plains, balancing rock sculptures, deep canyons, exposed cliffs, river gorges, towering mountains.- this is a tour of stunning, timeless geological scenery that is America's southwest. We ride through seven iconic U.S. National Parks- each exposing distinctive features from geysers to massive rock arches. You won't experience scenery like this anywhere else in the world.

The southwest also has a rich frontier settlement, Spanish colonial and pre-Columbian history. You will encounter the isolated Native American cave dwellings of Mesa Verde; historic mining towns like Durango; and enjoy the personification of southwest living in Santa Fe. You will be in awe of America's southwest beauty.

The tour is designed for sightseeing- taking time to enjoy the areas visited. We have allocated appropriate rest/explore days, and provided you with the best accommodation an area has to offer. People can ride at their own pace, or with the tour leader. Bring a friend! They can join you on the motorcycle, or as a passenger in our support vehicle.

For those with less time, an 11 day tour is available, starting Day 5 of this tour itinerary.

Days: 16
Ride days: 13
Approx. distance: 2,775mi/ 4,467km
Daily average: 213mi/ 344km
Riding difficulty: Easy
Start – Finish: Salt Lake City, UT

Days: 11
Ride days: 9
Approx. distance: 1,776mi/ 2,858
Daily average: 197mi/ 318km
Riding difficulty: Easy
Start – Finish: Salt Lake City, UT

(click on any of the days below for more detail)

NOTE: indicated ride times and distances do NOT account for time spent sightseeing, poor weather or traffic conditions.

Greeted at airport and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon we will finalize paperwork and familiarize ourselves with the motorcycles. Welcome dinner.

Salt Lake City is a beautiful city bound by the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the west. Given the city's cultural/ religious Mormon heritage, it has some unique places to visit around Temple Square. SLC was host to the 2002 Winter Olympics.

A day of Rocky Mountain riding! We leave the flat 'salt-pan' of SLC and ride north to Wyoming via Hwy 89- through the Cache and Caribou National Forests. The ride in to the mountains is only interrupted by the intense turquoise-blue water of Bear Lake. By afternoon we are in the shadow of the massive mountain formations of the Grand Tetons. Overnight in Jackson Hole.

Jackson Hole is the southern gateway to the imposing sheer-faced cliffs of the Grand Teton N.P. and Yellowstone N.P. Upon arrival we suggest you take the aerial tram up Rendezvous Mountain (10,450ft/3,185m) for a 360 degree view of the Snake River and Grand Teton National Park- spectacular!

Scenically, this may be the most spectacular day of the tour (well, the most spectacular mountain scenery). From Jackson Hole we ride along the reflective image of the Grand Teton's in Jackson Lake (an awesome photograph), up in to America's oldest National Park, Yellowstone.

Yellowstone N.P. is an American icon esteemed for its wildlife and geothermal activity (Old Faithful Geyser a prominent feature). The park is centered over the largest caldera or super-volcano, on the continent, and there is plenty of evidence of lava flows. The park has an abundance of wildlife, and it is not uncommon to see herds of bison and elk by the roadside (ride slowly!)

Yellowstone N.P. is so expansive that to fully appreciate its splendor, you would have to spend weeks (some might say years) exploring. With one more day to enjoy the Park, we take another memorable scenic route via the east and loop the park via Yellowstone Lake. Later we return to Jackson Hole – we don't think anyone will complain about riding past the spires of the Grand Teton's twice!

We are definitely immersed in some of America's most spectacular mountain scenery, and today is no exception. We ride over some of the highest peaks of the Wasatch National Forest (11,943ft/3,640m) passing crystal clear mountain lakes and the beginnings of the Provo River.

We spend the evening in the thriving mountain community of Park City- wonderful restaurants and shopping abound! Enjoy wandering the main street of this quintessential American gold mining-era town.

11 day tour starts here

A wonderful morning ride out of Park City through the Heber Valley offers spectacular views of the Tipanogo Mountain range. However, today we enter the flat, hot, arid environment of Southern Utah. Southern Utah's landscape of iconic rock arches and mesas have been the background to many Hollywood Western movies (and recently Oscar nominated '127 Hours'). The red desert is punctuated with oddly eroded sandstone forms from spires to 'balanced rocks'. Two of America's largest and most unique National Parks are within reach of the 'mountain bike central' township of Moab- where we will spend two nights to explore the Parks.

This is a great opportunity to explore the features of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. You may also decide to give your bike (and backside) and rest and go for a hike, 4WD adventure, mountain bike or even white-water rafting! But be sure to see the top attractions including Mesa Arch (C), Needles District (C), Delicate Arch (A), Landscape Arch (A), Fiery Furnace (A).

Although a short ride day, you will spend hours exploring the astonishing Anasazi Ruins (cliff dwellings) nestled in rocky alcoves high above the canyons near Cortez. Mesa Verde National Park offers wonderful insight in to the lives of America's first inhabitants (human presence from about 500 AD). There are informative exhibits on Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo culture. In the afternoon we follow the Navajo Trail up in to the mountains to the picturesque Durango (a town created by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in 1880- and still has a lot of that historic Colorado mountain town charm). On route detour- for those who want to experience standing in four States (CO, NM, AZ, UT) at the same time- such a spot exists ('Four Corners') about 25mi/40km SW of Cortez.

Over the next four days we really progress our exploration in to America's colorful southwest, where Native American pueblos exist alongside the Spanish colonial towns of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. From Durango we spend most of the day riding through the beautiful and lush aspen tree filled San Juan Mountains. On route, you may decide to 'take a dip' in the hot 'healing waters' of Pagosa Springs. We cross the Rio Grande river and climb to reach the high plateau beneath the red-hued Sangre de Cristo Mountains- entering one of America's oldest and beautiful cities, Santa Fe. Between Santa Fe and Albuquerque there is an abundance of visual art to explore in the many galleries (Museum of Indian Art & Culture, Museum of International Folk Art, New Mexico Museum of Art etc.)

There is so much to explore in Santa Fe and Albuquerque! You can make today a very short ride if you want to ride directly to Albuquerque. However, if you can pull yourself away from the art galleries, you will enjoy the switch-back ride up to Bandelier National Monument to explore the historic remains of the Pueblo People. There you will find fascinating full-scale reconstructions of pueblo buildings, interiors and cave homes (recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Fast forward to the twentieth century- along route you can detour to pass via Los Alamos National Laboratory (U.S. center for nuclear weapons, neurobiology, computer science, geothermal and solar energy research- just don't expect a guided tour!). A third route to Albuquerque is via the "Turquoise Trail" (named for the mining of turquoise which is heavily featured in south-west jewelry). You will enjoy the views atop Sandia Cres then ride through the historic 'ghost' mining towns and small communities. So whether your interest is in Native American history, art galleries or historic mining towns- there is a route for everyone today! We spend the night in the Route 66 city of Albuquerque.

Today we follow the hallow grave of Highways- Route 66 (now Interstate 40), across America's southwest. Depending on your stamina, there are a couple of options for today's ride. Turning off Hwy 40 at Grants, about another 40mi/64km is El Morro National Monument; a long sloping mesa ending with a bluff. Travelers have long enjoyed the cool perennial pool of water, collected beneath a waterfall that tumbles from the pale pink cliffs. What is commonly known as Indian country, we cross the desert plains in to the State of Arizona. We pass the magnificent San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff on route to red rock country. Following the spectacular ride through Oak Creek Canyon, we arrive amongst the red rocks (and vortex) of Sedona. Known as "the heart chakra of the planet", the extraordinary scenery that surrounds Sedona, will be a welcome relief after today's ride across the plains.

Almost a rest day! With such a short ride to the spectacular Grand Canyon, this allows people the option to indulge in a spa treatment, get an astrology reading (this is Sedona!) go for a hike, shop or ride early to the Grand Canyon and enjoy a scenic helicopter ride.

The Grand Canyon is an awesome sight to behold and the sole reason why many visit the U.S.! Its sheer vastness, shape and colors will entrance you. Vehicles (including motorcycles) can no longer access the edge of the canyon; instead a light-rail and shuttle system takes visitors to the south rim viewing area. Soak up the awesome scenery and sip some champagne while enjoying the colorful sunset!

There is no short way across the Grand Canyon, but the ride around it following its beginnings is fascinating for the novice geologist! Arriving at Page, at the foot of the Glen Canyon Dam (2nd largest on the Colorado Rover), we spend the afternoon enjoying a raft ride beneath the sandstone cliffs of the Grand Canyon, on the Colorado River- perfect!

Our sightseeing starts not for from Page, visiting what many describe as one of the most breathtaking and tranquil places on earth- Antelope Canyon. Carved over the course of countless millenniums, the slot canyons are majestic and narrow passages, just enough space for a small group to walk the sandy floor - and for the occasional shafts of sunlight to shine down from above.

Continuing our day of rock formation beauties, we cross the state border back in to what is arguably America's most beautiful and pristine landscapes- Utah. Our ride will take us away from the flat desert to the visually stunning and unique Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon N.P. exists within three distinct climatic zones, and this habitat provides a high level of fauna diversity- over 100 species of birds, dozen of mammals and thousands of plants species. However, it is the uniqueness of the rocks that make Bryce so visually stunning. Thousands of rock spires, called "hoodoos," are formed when ice and rainwater wear away the weak limestone rock.

Our final day of riding is a leisurely ride up the meandering Highway 89, also known as the Heritage Highway. This is a ride through America's inner western culture, as we pass through small mining towns and farming communities (quite a transition from the desert landscapes of the past few days). In the afternoon we ride up in to the lush Uinta National Forest, before descending in to SLC.

This concludes the 16 day 'USA Southwest Rockies Tour'. We will transfer you to the airport. For those with afternoon departures, they may like to visit one of the world's largest copper mines- Kennecott.

Please let us know if you require further assistance with travel arrangements beyond Salt Lake City.

Harley Davidson motorcycle (BMW and Ducati bikes additional rental fees). HD bike model subject to availability at time of booking.

Daily fuel fill and maintenance check.

Support/passenger vehicle with bike trailer to carry luggage and transport non-riders.

Mechanic and basic motorcycle spare parts.

Unlimited mileage

Bike and personal accident insurance (if using own bike, must provide evidence of insurance).

Mostly 5-4 star accommodation.

All breakfasts. Every day we select a location for lunch & dinner but people have the freedom to ride/stop & explore too.

Welcome & farewell dinners.

Professional tour guide.

U.S.A. National Park Annual Pass.

Airport transfer

Deposit of US$2,000 on a major credit card.

Fuel on route (however, every night we fill your tank, check oil).

Lunch, dinner and all beverages.

Medical travel insurance (compulsory requirement for tour participation. We offer insurance for US residents).

Fees in to tourist attractions (however, includes National Park entry fees)

GPS navigation device and mounts rental $17.50/day

US cell phone and sim card rental $70 per tour

All the tours have rest days, not only to rest, but to give you the opportunity to explore an area and enjoy some other activities. Examples include-

Grand Canyon helicopter flight
Wildlife sightseeing tours
Horseback ride through Bryce Canyon N.P.
4WD Adventure at Arches or Canyonlands N.P.