The Southern Explorer
Motorcycle Tour

A great early or late season discovery motorcycle tour of the rugged south-west of the USA. Enjoy unequalled riding in an area with a rich and particularly infamous past. Think of Doc Holliday, and the Earp brothers (Wyatt being the most famous). This was their territory and it's your opportunity to follow their footsteps on your iron horse.

Riding days: 12
Distance: 2413 miles / 3861 km

Day 1 Los Angeles - Palm Springs (197 miles / 315 km)
Get on your motorcycle and head for Laguna Beach. Here you can have lunch. Subsequently, a magnificent mountain ride to Palm Springs, where it's best to spend the night.

Day 2 Palm Springs - Gila Bend (284 miles / 454 km)
Today a motorcycle tour drive through Mecca and Salton Sea (look for the Flamingos) and then ride in the direction of Calexico, near the Mexican border. Your next stop is Yuma, where you can visit the former Territorial Prison. This is the place where many gangsters have had involuntary short or long vacations. Park your motorcycle in Gila Bend for the night.

Day 3 Gila Bend - Tucson (208 km / 333 km)
After you leave Gila bend ride on to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Spend time discovering this park but watch out for the prickles. At the end of the day reach Tucson.

Day 4 Tucson - Lordsburg (231 miles / 370 km)
Leave Tucson for another infamous place called Tombstone. The entire town is one big western scenery. This is where the “Gunfight at the OK Corral” took place and where many scoundrels lay buried at the famous Boot Hill. From Tombstone it's onward to Lordsburg, where you can spend the night.

Day 5 Lordsburg - Alamogorda (213 miles / 341 km)
Today you'll be covering a long distance on Interstate 10. At Las Cruces turn off in a northern direction to the White Sands National Monument, where you can take a long break. Sand dunes as white as sheets dominate the breathtaking landscape. Stay in Alamogorda.

Day 6 Alamogorda - Albuquerque (212 miles / 339 km)
Route 54 will take you north. Along the Valley of Fires National Monument (you are in Indian territory) and through Gran Quivira at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, ride to our first stop along Route 66, Albuquerque. Enjoy a party night there.

Day 7 Albuquerque - Chinle (232 miles / 371 km)
Follow the longest Mainstreet of the USA before you leave Albuquerque in western direction to visit another famous site - Route 66. From Gallup it's onward to Chinle through Window Rock and Ganado. Before you reach Chinle, you can explore the charming Canyon de Chelly.

Day 8 Chinle - Gray Mountain (187 miles / 299 km)
Today you'll be riding right across the Navajo and Hopi reservations and exploring the ultimate bike riding territory, Monument Valley. We advise you to take a jeep tour guided by an Indian guide, to really experience the backcountry. Stay in Gray Mountain.

Day 9 Gray Mountain - Williams (125 miles / 200 km)
Get ready to explore one of the most famous wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. You can make several stops along the south rim. Be sure to visit the Imax Theatre, featuring a spectacular film about this natural wonder. Also try a cool helicopter flight over the canyon, a real must. At the end of the day you and your motorcycle are in Williams. You can get a hotel just along route 66.

Day 10 Williams - Las Vegas (233 miles / 373 km)
Time to head down “The Mother Road”. A day full of nostalgia, so get your kicks! Try riding Historic Route 66 through Seligman to Hackberry, where you can visit the Old Route 66 Visitor Centre. On through Kingman and the Hoover Dam. At the end of the day you get to the famous gambling city of Las Vegas, Spend at least two nights here.

Day 11 Las Vegas (0 miles)
Take the day to explore Las Vegas. Ride the rollercoaster of hotel New York, New York, see the Harley Davidson Café or the Luxor Hotel. Experience the sea battle at Hotel Treasure Island, the volcanic eruption at The Mirage and the immense fountains of the Bellagio. Even climbing the Eiffel Tower. Because, after all, Vegas is the capital of entertainment.

Day 12 Las Vegas - Santa Monica (291 miles / 466 km)
The last real section is a long one, but luckily you have had a day to rest. Leave Las Vegas early to reach our final stop via Barstow and San Bernardino. Your final destination is Santa Monica, where you can have another great night out.

End of Motorcycle Tour