The Wild West & Buffalo Bill

We'll be driving along the original Highway 1
along the West Coast of the USA.

The West Coast and Highway 1,
some of the most beautiful sights the USA has to offer.

Duration: 19 days - Driving: 14 days

This tour is a round trip through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, showcasing some of the most beautiful landscapes that the USA has to offer. It provides incredible driving experiences and stunning scenery.

We start and finish the tour in Hollywood/Santa Monica, and along the way, we will explore everything from major cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco to unique small towns. We'll visit cowboys, Native Americans, "rednecks," and everyday Americans, experiencing landmarks and picturesque villages.

We drive the final stretch along Highway 1, which has been voted as the "world's most beautiful highway."

During the trip, you will experience national parks such as Zion, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Sierra Nevada, Death Valley, Amargosa, and Monument Valley! Not only will you encounter new cultures and visit new places, but you will also make new friends among your fellow travelers on this spectacular journey.

THIS IS INCLUDED:

- Guided tours to various destinations around the world with our knowledgeable guides.

Daily itinerary

This is the translation of the text:

This is the world’s most famous coastal road – HIGHWAY 1 – Here you will encounter the Wild West and see how legends like BUFFALO BILL and our old cowboy heroes lived.

Fantastic scenery!

This is a roundtrip through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. These are some of America’s most beautiful states, with breathtaking landscapes and great driving experiences.

We start and end the tour in Hollywood/Santa Monica.

The first leg takes us south to San Diego.

Then we visit the great national parks: Grand Canyon Monument Valley, Zion, Kings Canyon, Sierra Nevada, Death Valley, Amargosa, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite.

The last two days take us from San Francisco to Los Angeles, via Highway 1.

Voted the world’s most beautiful highway.

This year’s tours are better than ever, with even better hotels, more and better experiences along the way, and of course, Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Route 66 USA is our main product, and on the other tours, we usually have 1-2 exclusive tours each year, with only 15-20 participants. Many of the participants on our other tours around the world are participants who have ridden Route 66 with us before.

Terms, worth knowing, and basic information are mostly the same as on our Route 66 tours, although much of what is mentioned on these pages applies to Route 66 USA tours.

ITINERARY FOR THE WEST COAST.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CHANGES MAY OCCUR.

Day 1: Los Angeles

Arrival in Los Angeles. Pick-up at the airport, shared transportation to the hotel.

Relax and swim in an outdoor swimming pool, eat and drink well.

Have a simple welcome meeting and discuss the plans for the next day.

Day 2: Los Angeles

Picked up in the morning by Carlos Limo service (always exciting whether it’s a limo or party bus).

Baywatch/Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach. Swim, eat, and recharge for a group dinner in the evening. Stop on the way back for shopping at Bartels Harley Davidson.

Swim in the pool, final preparations before the first day of riding. Get to know each other, go through the route, and have individual introductions, etc. Questions/answers.

Day 3: Los Angeles-San Diego 200 km

We pick up the bikes early in the morning and head towards one of the most beautiful cities in the USA. A very short riding leg. We ride south on a mix of interstate and Highway 1. The further south we go, the better the water temperature in the Pacific Ocean gets, so we’ll have a chance to take a dip before entering San Diego.

We stay in the heart of Old Town, which is one of the finest areas in the city and reflects the Mexican traditions of tequila and tacos.

Day 4: San Diego

Excursion for those who want to visit “Sea World,” one of San Diego’s biggest tourist attractions. Bring your swimsuit.

San Diego has one of the world’s largest and finest harbor areas, as well as a large naval base. The USS Midway aircraft carrier has been turned into a museum and is worth a visit.

There are also opportunities to visit the Top Gun bar, which is not just a movie set.

A guided bus tour is also possible (downtown and especially the Gaslamp district and the harbor).

Day 5: San Diego – Blythe 385 km

Today, we ride along the Mexican border. We are so close to the border that we can see the border fence (wall), and we may be stopped by border guards. Have your passport easily accessible.

We will also ride through a desert with sand dunes that make you feel like you’re in the Sahara (Imperial Sand Dunes). We will stop and wade in the sand.

Day 6: Blythe – Flagstaff 405 km

Crossing the Colorado River into Arizona. We make a stop to photograph the famous cacti that can only be found in Arizona. The first part of the day is through a dry landscape. Highway 89 towards Prescott (Prescott National Forest) – lots of curves and beautiful scenery. From there, we continue to Jerome for a lunch stop with a unique view.

Continuing to Sedona (Oak Creek Canyon) with spectacular mountains and nature.

Day 7: Flagstaff – Tuba City 250 km

Today’s highlight is the Grand Canyon, and we ride through the park (one of the seven wonders of the world). Helicopter tours are possible if pre-booked.

Tuba City is governed by the Navajo Indians.

Day 8: Tuba – Torrey 470 km

Today, we ride out of Arizona and into Utah. Utah is perhaps America’s most beautiful state, and you will understand why during the day. The highlight of the day is Monument Valley. We also pass Mexican Hat, Moki Dugway, Glen Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Park. We cross the Colorado River before the end of the day.

Day 9: Torrey – Las Vegas 570 km

The day starts with a ride through Dixie National Forest, with many curves and beautiful nature and wildlife. Spectacular views.

The highlight of the day is Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, which is considered one of America’s most beautiful parks. It will be a long day, but we can sleep in the next morning.

Day 10: Las Vegas

There are many different options here. Shopping, casino, pool, or sleeping in.

Day 11: Las Vegas – Lone Pine 420 km

After a good night’s sleep, we start early towards Death Valley. It gets hotter throughout the day. We ride over some high mountain passes, and there are long distances between gas stations, so remember to bring provisions. In Death Valley, we go 80 meters below sea level and can truly describe it as the place “God forgot.” It’s fascinating: the salt layer on the dried-up lake is over a meter thick. We walk at the bottom of the sea. It’s very hot here in the middle of summer, up to 50 degrees. Maybe bring some historical salt for dinner? It’s cold in the morning and evening but very hot during the day. Sierra Nevada. We will stay overnight in the town of Lone Pine, where we have a great view of the highest point in California, Mt. Whitney. We are now in the middle of Indian land, so be careful.

This is a charming little town with some fantastic saloons that are definitely worth a visit for those who are interested.

Day 12: Lone Pine – Fresno 445 km

New day, new opportunities. Today, we enjoy some of the most beautiful roads we have driven in the USA. Absolutely fantastic roads. We ride through Sequoia National Park.

Day 13: Fresno – San Francisco (Oakland) 450 km

It doesn’t take long before we enter Yosemite National Park. This is perhaps the most spectacular park we ride through, with high mountains and deep gorges. The day’s ride is challenging with many curves and beautiful scenery. From the park, we ride on nice motorcycle roads through Stanislaus Forest towards Oakland.

Day 14: San Francisco (Oakland)

Start the day with a ferry from Oakland to Fisherman’s Wharf. We take the world-famous cable cars, visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street (the world’s most crooked street), and take a ferry to Alcatraz, probably the most famous prison island in the world. An experience with a historical touch. In the afternoon, the city is bustling, and we have a good meal at an outdoor restaurant before returning by ferry to Oakland.

Day 15: San Francisco (Oakland) – Monterey 240 km

Start the day by crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge with a great view of Alcatraz before passing San Quentin prison. We make a stop on the hill overlooking the Golden Gate before stopping at the visitor center. We drive over the Golden Gate, one of the world’s most beautiful and famous bridges/artworks. This bridge is also one of the most commonly used suicide locations in the USA. Once we have passed San Francisco, we start on Highway 1.

Day 16: Monterey – Solvang 340 km

We continue cruising on Highway 1, passing the famous Big Sur. The day continues on the world’s most beautiful coastal road – Highway 1 – with breathtaking scenery. Sea lions play by the roadside. We arrive in Solvang, a Danish-style small town.

Day 17: Solvang – Los Angeles 210 km

We ride past the beach houses of Brad Pitt and others towards Santa Barbara. Continuing along Highway 1 with great ocean views towards Los Angeles. Return the motorcycles before ending the day with a dinner near the hotel.

Day 18: Los Angeles

Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Universal Studios with a limousine from Carlos. Alternatively, you can go window shopping on the world’s most exclusive and famous shopping street, Rodeo Drive.

Day 19: Departure

Please note that the schedule may be subject to changes. Enjoy your trip!

THIS IS NOT INCLUDED:

- Airfare.
- Hotel/accommodation/lodging.
- Optional vehicle rental: car, motorcycle, or bus.

If you need assistance in booking the best hotels and flights, we can provide recommendations based on your preferences. If you require help with the actual booking process, our technical team can assist you for a fee of $200 per person.

Departure dates for 2023 and 2024.

May 4th - May 20th
August 25th - September 10th
September 8th - September 24th

Satisfied customers

Price

Guided tour

$1966

FAQ

If you need assistance in booking the best hotels and flights, we can provide recommendations based on your preferences. If you require help with the actual booking process, our technical team can assist you for a fee of $200 per person.

All participants must apply for a visa to enter the United States before departure. This is done electronically through the following website: http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

If the ESTA visa is not issued through the online application, you will need to apply for an entry permit at the U.S. Embassy in your home country. It is your responsibility to obtain this well in advance of your trip, as well as travel insurance.

We have tours available from May through September each year. If you have the flexibility in terms of work and family, we recommend driving in May, June, or September. These months generally have more pleasant weather. July and August can be warmer.

The general rule is to bring one large bag or backpack per person, along with carry-on luggage. All luggage will be placed in the support vehicle, except for the items you need during the day (sunscreen, rain gear, camera, etc.). All motorcycles have storage space. We recommend bringing salt tablets from home due to the hot weather.

ChatGPT

In such a case, the tour guide will ensure that you receive a “police report” regarding the damage caused, which will be handed over to the Harley dealer when returning the motorcycles. Your insurance company will take care of the rest.

If you lose your passport, you should report it to the police in the USA immediately. Your embassy or consulate will then issue an emergency passport, which usually involves a fee. An emergency passport can only be issued to individuals who can confirm their citizenship.

GOOD TO KNOW ON THE ROAD

  • In the USA, you drive on the right side of the road.
  • All distances are measured in miles. See conversions below.
  • Traffic lights (red, yellow, green) are the same as in Europe.
  • If the light is flashing yellow, be cautious when crossing the street.
  • If the lights are flashing red, always stop before crossing the street.
  • If you encounter an octagonal sign, come to a complete stop before proceeding.
  • A yellow triangle means you must yield to oncoming traffic – you have the right of way.
  • On roads with double yellow lines, it is prohibited to cross them for overtaking.
  • On larger roads with multiple lanes in the same direction, traffic moves fastest in the leftmost lane. You are only allowed to overtake other vehicles on the left side.
  • Speed limits vary from state to state.
  • In most states, wearing a helmet and goggles is mandatory. You are responsible for this and drive at your own risk.
  • It is prohibited to pass yellow school buses when their warning lights are on.
  • It is forbidden to consume alcohol in a vehicle. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08, and violations result in imprisonment.
  • You are allowed to turn right at a red light unless otherwise indicated.
  • There is a minimum speed limit of 45 mph (72 km/h) on interstates and highways.
  • The maximum speed limit varies from 105-120 km/h (65-75 mph).
  • Motorcycles are not allowed to drive in the innermost lane in cities; this lane is reserved for public transportation.

Time Zones: On the continental US, there are four time zones:

  • Eastern Time
  • Central Time
  • Mountain Time
  • Pacific Time Each time zone differs by one hour.

Measurements: Distance/Length:

  • 1 Mile = 1.6 km
  • 1 Foot = 30 cm
  • 1 Inch = 2.54 cm
  • 1 US pint = 0.5 liters
  • 1 US gallon = 3.8 liters

  • 1 km = 0.6 miles

Temperatures: In the USA, Fahrenheit is used instead of Celsius:

  • 0 Celsius = 32 Fahrenheit
  • 20 Celsius = 68 Fahrenheit
  • 30 Celsius = 86 Fahrenheit
  • 35 Celsius = 95 Fahrenheit.

Motorcycle Riding

We prioritize 100% safety during the ride, and we ride in a diagonal pattern known as the “zipper formation.” The guide’s vehicle leads the group, and the most experienced riders form the rear position, regardless of the situation.

We ride in a staggered formation, maintaining a moderate distance between motorcycles, neither too far nor too close, and form a long snake-like line. On Route 66, we usually have narrow roads to ourselves. In areas where Route 66 is no longer accessible or doesn’t exist, we will ride on Interstate 40 and generally stay in the second innermost lane. This is the most practical approach, as it allows us to avoid dealing with vehicles exiting on the right side.

The speed will be comfortable and not too fast. We usually get to ride relatively undisturbed by other traffic. We provide vests to be worn after dark. The guide will provide all necessary instructions, explanations, and safety tips when we pick up the motorcycles. It is important that everyone pays attention to this information.

Be patient with each other, especially during the first few days when participants are getting accustomed to the bikes and American roads. We hope and believe that everything will go smoothly, and remember, we are here to have fun!

All guides have American mobile phones, so write down their numbers and keep them in your pocket along with a fully charged mobile phone.

Emergency Stop

If something happens on the road that requires you to stop (if you feel unwell in any way), raise your left arm and keep it up until the person in front of you does the same. This signal will make the guide leading the group stop the lead bike. (Do this before you become seriously ill.)

If you suddenly become ill and need to stop immediately: Pull off to the side of the road and as far away from traffic as possible. Only the last motorcycle will stop!! It is too dangerous to have more than 20 motorcycles stopping immediately along the road. The rest of the group will not leave you behind but will stop as soon as possible.

Take care of each other

Everyone is responsible for keeping an eye on the person behind them by using their mirrors. If half of the group manages to go through a green light, but the others have to stop at a red light, it is the responsibility of the person who made it through the green light to wait for the rest of the group. If they slow down, the vehicles in front will also slow down. This way, we can keep the group together as much as possible.

Be cautious and check the mirrors frequently to ensure no one loses complete contact with the group. This will help us avoid uncomfortable or dangerous situations where people may feel stressed or scared. Each day, there will be an experienced and reliable person riding at the rear of the group.

Drinking while riding

Bring water bottles that can be opened and closed with your teeth. This way, you can drink with your left hand while steering with your right hand. Place the bottles upside down between the handlebars and the windshield. The guides sell water and other drinks from the lead vehicle every day. They may also make stops at places other than gas stations.

Speed and Safety

We constantly strive to maintain a comfortable pace that suits all participants. This means that some may find it comfortable, while others may feel it’s a bit slow, and some may think it’s a bit fast. However, on highways, we must maintain a speed that matches the flow of traffic. Be very clear in signaling your intentions to others.

Americans generally behave politely on the road and usually show moderation when riding as a group. Try to read the traffic, use common sense, and avoid taking risks.

Americans generally behave politely on the road and usually show moderation when riding as a group. Try to read the traffic, use common sense, and avoid taking risks.

Breaks and Roadside Stops

We usually stop every hour. Some stops are short, about 10-15 minutes, for stretching your legs, using the restroom, buying drinks, or other needs. Other stops can last from 30 to 90 minutes and are planned by the guides for visiting attractions or other purposes.

Lunch Break

After two to three hours on the road, we stop for lunch, typically for 45 minutes to an hour. This will be planned by the guide. Those who feel hungry or want to snack before or after the lunch break can purchase a hot dog, sandwich, or other food options.

When stopping at gas stations to refuel, avoid ordering large meals as it will delay the trip and may cause us to miss scheduled activities. We recommend that everyone bring some salty snacks to eat while on the motorcycles (peanuts, dried meat, etc.). You can purchase more of these snacks at gas station stops along the way.

Refueling

We refuel every two hours. Everyone should refuel at each designated stop, even if their tank is almost full. Some motorcycles have smaller fuel tanks than others, so we need to stop regularly for their sake. Fuel gauges can be inaccurate, so we always fill up to the maximum each time.

When the lead vehicle pulls into a gas station and signals to refuel, we form two lines at the pumps. The guide will start the pumps and instruct everyone to help refuel all the motorcycles. All engines must be turned off while refueling for environmental reasons, and each rider pushes their bike to the pump when their turn comes.

Those at the end of the queue have time to use the restroom while the first motorcycles refuel, and vice versa. The person responsible for refueling keeps track of the amount and price of each fill-up, which is provided to the guide before hanging up the pump. For those who wish to ride alone, they need to remember to keep receipts for fuel purchases and arrive the next day with a full tank.

Roads and Route 66

Only about 80% of Route 66 exists today. Some sections of the road are damaged or closed, while others are narrow with speed limits of 20 or 30 km/h.

We cover as much of the original Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles in both directions as possible. This way, you get to see the highlights along the way. We guarantee that you won’t miss out on the worthwhile attractions. If you want to see something specific, talk to the guide, and we’ll try to accommodate it. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to follow the lead vehicle or ride on your own. Just remember to inform the guide to avoid unnecessary confusion or worry along the way. On some days of the trip, we will need to ride on Interstate 40 or other modern roads to reach the day’s final destination.

Emergency phone numbers

Dial 911 for the police, ambulance, and fire department.

Always have the number of your insurance company with you.

If you lose your credit card

VISA: Call (800) 336 8472 American Express: Call (800) 528 4800 Mastercard: Call (800) 826 2181 Lost traveler’s checks: Thomas Cook Assistance – Call (800) 223 7373

If you lose your passport

A lost passport must be reported to the police immediately in the USA. Then you must report it to your country’s embassy or consulate so they can issue an emergency passport. There is usually a fee for issuing an emergency passport. An emergency passport can only be issued to individuals who can confirm their citizenship in their country.

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