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The American Rockies are, like all things American, VERY big. In fact, they define the word BIG! We will spend days riding at over 7,000 ft, 10,000 ft passes are as bridges over the Thames, the old towns are superb, the emptiness knows no bounds, and in no time you will understand the true pioneer spirit. If you’ve been impressed by any other mountain range in the world, be prepared to adjust your expectations – skywards of course! Every day is full of surprises – because a lot of this area of the USA is largely unspoilt and undiscovered by mass tourism due to its inaccessibility. Just sit back, open the throttle and enjoy!

Highlights

• Stanley Hotel
• Deadwood
• Devil’s Tower
• Little Big Horn
• Beartooth Highway
• Yosemite
• Black Canyon of Gunnison
• Million Dollar Highway
• Strater Hotel

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Denver. Transfer to your hotel. We will be at the hospitality desk in the entrance lobby to greet you between 4 and 6 pm. Comfort Inn Denver.

Day 2 Denver - Cheyenne (200 miles). After breakfast we get to check out our motorcycles for the tour. We’ll quickly leave the prairies and head up into the mountains and Estes Park We’ll stop at the famous Stanley Hotel, where a young Stephen King once worked and which gave him the inspiration for ‘The Shining’. We then drop back down to the plains through Thompson Canyon and on to Cheyenne, home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration. Holiday Inn Cheyenne..

Day 3 Cheyenne – Custer (270 miles). Today’s ride will lead us across the wide windswept prairies of Wyoming. Imagine yourselves as the pioneers (only your steed is much more fun!) that first crossed these plains over a hundred years ago. The wide open spaces will lead us to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn.

Day 4 Custer - Deadwood (150 miles). This day will be spent exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Custer State Park’s abundant wildlife – don’t be surprised if caught in the midst of a buffalo herd crossing the highway. We’ll visit Mt Rushmore or the Crazy Horse monument, one of the most memorable monuments created by mankind, the road is twisty, narrow and oh-so-sweet. You’ll be amazed by the rock cuts and tunnels of the Needles highway. And of course we’ll visit Sturgis, home to the world’s largest motorcycle rally. Our destination is Deadwood, famous for its stagecoach according to Hollywood, and where Wild Bill Hickcock was killed. The entire city is a national historic site, and our hotel is the centrepiece of Main St. Express Gold Dust Casino.

Day 5 Deadwood – Sheridan (260 miles). Along the way we will pass Devil’s Tower – have you had any close encounters of any kind lately? Then it’s across the prairies of Wyoming, where you’ll get a real feel for the Old West pioneer spirit. Wingate Inn.

Day 6 Sheridan - Cody (260 miles). Today we visit the site of the battle of Little Big Horn, Custer’s Last Stand. The next highlight is the Beartooth Highway, described as one of the most scenic passes in America. If its mountain turns, switchbacks and grand vistas of the mighty Rockies you desire, it’s all here! The road continues as we cross Colter Pass and head into Cody. You have your own log cabin tonight. Buffalo Bill Village.

Day 7 Cody. Free day. Time for a break. There’s plenty to do and see in and around Cody, and a rideout is definitely on the cards too. Buffalo Bill Village.

Day 8 Cody – West Yellowstone (215 miles). Within Yellowstone our journey will take us past some of the most magnificent displays of natural beauty that Mother Nature has to offer. Among the smooth, twisting roads we will visit mud pods, hot springs, bubbling waters, and of course, old Faithful. A day to savour in this most famous of American parks. Branding Iron Inn.

Day 9 West Yellowstone - Jackson (130 miles). A short day’s ride gives us a couple of options, with no let up in the stunning landscape and views. Our hotel is right in the centre of town and a great place from which to explore the Jackson. Antlers Inn.

Day 10 Jackson – Rock Springs (180 miles). Our roads for today will follow valleys bounded by magnificent ridges of the Rocky Mountains. We will once again acquaint ourselves with the wide open spaces of Wyoming, where a person becomes one with their bike, the roads and the views quite easily. Best Western Outlaw Inn.

Day 11 Rock Springs – Steamboat Springs (215 miles). Let the passes begin! Then enjoy the hot springs – you deserve it! Sheraton Steamboat Resort.

Day 12 Steamboat Springs - Gunnison (235 miles). Despite the high altitude today – probably half of the ride is at over 2500 m – the riding is sweeping bends not twisty passes. We stop at the highest town in the USA, Leadville, once a booming mining town and then follow the Arkansas River with the highest peaks in the Rockies on our right. Then to finish the day we ride up and over the mighty Monarch Pass, at over 3500 m before arriving in the lush pastures of Gunnison. Quality Inn.

Day 13 Gunnison - Durango (165 miles). Another spectacular day – they just jeep on coming! Today’s route takes us through some of the most scenic mountains and phenomenal roads in Colorado – the San Juans. We start with some sweeping roads along Blue Mesa Lake and on to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The depth and grandeur of this canyon will astound you, and we take the road down from the South Rim to the river 600 m below. From Montrose the road twists its way along the Uncompahgre River as we head for Ouray ‘Little Switzerland”’ with it’s hot springs. We climb out of Ouray (and I mean climb!) and across our first pass, the Red Mountain Pass, very steep and very high! We’ll stop at the old mining town of Silverton, now reliant on tourism for its survival but still retaining its unspoilt feel. The beauty of the red hills and lush vibrant green forests will whet your appetite for the “Million Dollar Highway” (“There are a variety of explanations regarding the source of the name for the "Million Dollar Highway." One version claims it is based on the value of the ore-bearing fill that was used to construct the road, and another says it refers to the high cost of building a road over Red Mountain Pass (11,008 ft) and the Uncompahgre Gorge. One thing no one will dispute is the million dollar views around every turn. This marvel of engineering, designed by Russian immigrant Otto Mears, slices through rugged mountains as it follows old stagecoach routes and former pack trails between Silverton and Durango, our stay for the night. Strater Hotel.

Day 14 Durango (free day). There’s plenty to see and do in and around Durago, a thriving town. Our main recommendation is to take the train for a day trip to Silverton and back, quite spectacular. Or ride out to Mesa Verde to visit the native American cliff dwellings - quite some ride and the views from the top are unforgettable. Strater Hotel.

Day 15 Durango – Buena Vista (220 miles). We start off by skirting the southern edges of the San Juans as we head for Pagosa Springs. We ride today’s pass, Wolf Creek, at a mere 3400 m, and then the road drops back to the valley floor as we head north along the eastern side of the Rockies. And today’s novelty is the long straight flat road to Saguache! Best Western Vista Inn.

Day 16 Buena Vista - Denver (200 miles). Our final ride takes us back to Denver. We ride up to the old mining town of Fairplay. Then it’s a long sweeping ride past the mineral beds to the Breckenridge ski area. If time and weather allow, we’ll tackle the highest road in the USA to Mt Evans, at over 4500 m before descending to the bustle of Denver for our last night. Comfort Inn.

Day 17 Depart Denver. We – reluctantly – say good bye to a beautiful and unforgettable journey. The day is yours to enjoy before your overnight return flight home.

Total mileage c. 2700 miles

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Price includes: 15 days Harley-Davidson hire (Hondas, BMWs and trikes available on request) with unlimited mileage, helmet and waterproofs (if requested), basic liability insurance, CDW, accommodation, 16 nights twinshare accommodation, 10 breakfasts & farewell dinner; taxes and environmental charges, detailed tour description, National Park, State Park and National Monument entrance fees, roadmaps, American tour guide on motorcycle, support/luggage vehicle with spare bike, T-shirt; luggage storage; biker’s rucsac.

H-D models available: Electraglide Classic, Street Glide, Road Glide, Road King, Heritage Softail, Fatboy, Low Rider, 883 Sportster. Please see our rental information for more details

Price excludes: Flights and travel insurance (available through H-C Travel), meals except where specified, excursions, fuel, riding gear, personal expenses, souvenirs, tips, ELVIP & SLI insurance (see above), airport transfers, pre- and post-tour accommodation if required.

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Rocky Mountain High tour       Date Rider Passenger Sgl rm suppl. EVIP+SLI 09 Jun - 25 Jun 2010 £4,575.00 £1,725.00 £945.00 £360.00 08 Jun - 25 Jun 2011 £4,575.00 £1,725.00 £945.00 £360.00

EVIP offers comprehensive motorcycle insurance cover, including theft, with an excess of $1000.

SLI offers $1 million third party liability insurance.

| Wild West | Route 66 | Rocky Mountain High | Florida Coast | Daytona Bike Week |
 | Route 66 Deluxe | Sturgis and the Old West | Self-Guided Tours | Rental |

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