Route 66 Self Guided Tour - Celtic Horizon Tours

Route 66 Self Guided Tour

America
Wednesday, 30th October 2019

Departure Dates Listed

  • Information
  • Itinerary

Information

Package overview

Our Route 66 Self Drive Motorcycle Tour is a 15 day journey riding along the world famous “Mother Road” highway. You begin your tour in Chicago, IL and ride for 2400 exciting miles to Los Angeles, CA. Along the way you will pass through 8 states: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, making stops in some of the most beautiful and historic American cities. You will get a definite sense of the 1950’s Midwest as you ride your Harley into the Ozark Mountains, along the Old West’s Indian country in Oklahoma, across the Great Plains, through the 400 year old city Santa Fe, NM, and into Nevada gambling Mecca, Laughlin. By the time you make it back to Los Angeles you will have toured the best of the “Mainstream of America”, Route 66!

Included in this package

  • Late Model Motorcycle Rental
  • 3 – 4 Star Motorcycle Friendly Hotels x 14 nights
  • Unlimited mileage
  • EagleRider Custom Motorcycle Maps
  • Leather-Bound Custom Road Book
  • Custom Daily Itinerary
  • Transportation between Tour Hotel and EagleRider Locations

NOT included in this package

  • Flights
  • Meals except where specified
  • Anything not listed in “What’s Included” above
  • Personal travel insurance (see below)
  • EVIP insurance (see below)
  • Supplemental Liability Insurance (see below)

Additional info

  • 2 persons / 1 bike / 1 room from €2,499.00 pps
  • 2 persons / 2 bikes / 1 room from €3,599.00 pps
  • 1 person / 1 bike / 1 room from €4,699.00

Insurance is a very important matter for everybody travelling by motorcycle. We feel therefore, that it is important that you clearly understand matters and set out the relevant information below.

1. Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)

All packages include a basic insurance for which the amount of cover varies from State to State. We strongly recommend that you give very serious consideration to taking the optional SLI as this increases your Liability Insurance Benefit up to US$1million. This insurance protects the renter against claims made by a Third Party for bodily injury and/or property damage sustained as a result of an accident.

2. EVIP Insurance

This policy is applicable to the motorcycle ONLY. It limits the liability of the renter:

  • in the event of any and all accidental damage to the motorcycle and its accessories.
  • the loss/theft of the vehicle provided the motorcycle was locked with all locks provided by the rental company.
  • in the event of mechanical breakdown requiring repair for more than 12 hours, the renter is provide with up to $75/day for a replacement rental + refund of daily rate.
  • covers the cost of tire repair/labour, but towing is NOT covered.
  • A Security Deposit of $300 will be taken upon collection of the motorcycle

IMPORTANT: A police report is required for all damages or accidents. All damages to rented motorcycle without a police report is considered the Renter’s fault.

3. Personal Travel Insurance

Your travel insurance policy must include repatriation to Ireland of patients by Air Ambulance or other medically approved means of transportation where it is deemed as preferable by the Medical Adviser of the Insurance Underwriters.

Please check closely the terms of cover provided by any travel insurance policy that you are offered or already hold. In our experience, most policies only provide cover for motorcycles up to 125cc which is not sufficient as most motorcycle models in use on the EagleRider tours range between 1200cc and 1800cc.

Celtic Horizon Tours will be happy to assist in obtaining quotations for suitable travel insurance cover should you require our assistance in this matter.

 

What to Bring

Warm Weather Riding Gear

* Mesh Riding Jacket
* Neck Cooler/ Bandana
* Hydration Pack

Cold Weather Riding Gear

* Leather Jacket
* Wind Proof Jacket
* Wind Proof Pants

Wet Weather Riding Gear

* Waterproof Jacket
* Waterproof Pants

Protective Riding Gear

* Goggles
* Sun Glasses
* Riding Boots
* Riding Gloves

 

FAQ

How many people are in a group?

We allow a maximum of 15 bikes per group. At rare occasions there can be a few more bikes but if the number exceeds 15 we may add a second tour guide on a motorcycle to the group.

Will I receive some kind of information about my tour before I arrive?

A road book for each specific tour will be sent to you via email as a pdf file; the book contains all important and necessary information about your tour, route, general information, etc.

Will there be enough photo stops on a guided tour?

While one just likes to ride and is hardly to be kept off his bike another may want to stop every five minutes to get this very special photo shot. We try to find a good average of stops to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Can I book additional nights before or after the tour through Celtic Horizon Tours?

Yes, we are happy to book additional accommodation before or after the tour for you. Please be aware that once an additional reservation has been made any changes or cancellation will result in a €50 handling fee per occurrence. Reservations for additional nights must be made at time of booking.

What is the weather going to be like?

If you’ve all been good the weather will be too…honestly, we can never be certain; this is one factor on our tours that we still haven’t been able to influence. In general you can say that during mid summer months you have a 90% chance of staying dry and hot weather on any of our tours. It’ll always be a little cool along the west coast and you can always expect some rain along Route 66. Please come prepared, bring your raingear and a variety of clothing to be armed for all weather conditions.

Do I have to wear a helmet?

For your own safety we require you to wear a helmet at all times when you ride a motorcycle.

Do all bikes have a windshield?

The only models that are equipped with a windshield are Electra GlideRoad GlideRoad King and Heritage Softail, and BMW. Especially during mid summer you will face very hot temperatures on your rides. A windshield will not only hold off dust and stones but also keep away direct hot air to your body.

IMPORTANT

  • If a person decides to travel without any travel insurance cover, they do so explicitly at their own risk, against our advice, and are deemed to absolve Celtic Horizon Tours Ltd, its employees, agents, suppliers and various affiliates of all and any responsibility and/or liability.
  • The prices shown are in respect of 2 pax + 1 bike sharing a twin / double room. Prices are also available on request for 2 pax + 2 bikes sharing a twin / double room, or 1 pax + 1 bike staying in a single room.

Itinerary

General Information

 

No of touring days: 15 days
No of nights in package: 14 nights
Arriving airport: Chicago, IL
Departing airport: Los Angeles, CA

Please note you arrive back in Ireland the day after the last day of the tour.

You are free to select a departure date of your choice.

 

DAY 1 Arrive Chicago

You arrive at Chicago International Airport and transfer on your own to your hotel. In Chicago you are in the biggest and most exciting of the Great Lake cities. Chicago has a skyline to rival any city – an amazing selection of top rated museums, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs pay homage to the city’s strong jazz and blues heritage.

DAY 2 Chicago - Springfield

This morning you pick up your bike and are off on the ultimate American road trip. Parallel to I-55, the legendary Route 66 began its run right here, cutting through the state before running all the way to the Pacific Coast. Get a glimpse of the old-time diners and other Americana that still stand. From Chicago you head south, pass the old truck stop town of McLean, and roar through the coal-mining area of Illinois – along the Pontiac Trail towards Springfield, the Illinois state capital.

DAY 3 Springfield - Rolla

Today we head towards St. Louis! We will stay primarily on the 2-lane sections of the Mother Road, traversing cornfields and small towns that represent the heartland of America. Our arrival into St. Louis will be over the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the original bridge where RT 66 crossed the Mississippi River. Enjoy the short ride today into the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis. This amazing city rests along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River and is home to some of the best live music and BBQ ribs in the country.

DAY 4 Rolla - Tulsa

From Rolla your ride will take you along the northern edge of the Ozark Mountains, which occupies most of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. This area remained frontier territory until the timber companies moved in at the end of the 19th century. None of the Ozark Peaks are particularly high, though the roads through switch, dip, climb, and swerve to provide stunning views of steep hillsides thick with oak, elm, hickory, and redbud – all quite resplendent in fall. Ride through the famous towns of Lebanon and Conway and stop in Carthage to see the old beautiful courthouse. Before you enter the state of Oklahoma make a stop in Joplin. Oklahoma contains more miles of the old highway than any other state and is a great place for bikers and old-road fans. Today’s destination is Tulsa, Oklahoma. From its early days through its peak as an oil-boom town and up to the present, Tulsa has always been a city striving to move forward.

DAY 5 Tulsa - Clinton

From Tulsa you head west through Oklahoma to your stop in Clinton. Cover a hundred miles of the Old West’s Indian country between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. In the 1830’s all this land, held to be useless, was set aside as Indian Territory – a convenient dumping ground for the so-called Five Civilized Tribes who blocked white settlement in the southern states. The Choctaw and the Chickasaw of Mississippi, the Seminole of Florida, and the Creek of Alabama were each assigned a share, while the rest was given to the Cherokee from Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Today, the state has a large Native American Indian population – “Oklahoma” is the Choctaw word for “red man”. Further west you ride through El Reno – over the mile-long bridge, near Bridgeport and into Oklahoma City, the heart and soul of Route 66 country! Continue to our overnight stay in Clinton.

DAY 6 Clinton - Armarillo

This morning you should rise early for your journey into the Panhandle, the southernmost portion of the Great Plains, often called “the real Texas”. It certainly fulfills the fantasy of what Texas should look like. Once the buffalo – and the natives – had been driven away from what was seen as perilous and uninhabitable frontier country, the Panhandle began to yield great natural resources in the 1870’s. Helium, oil as well as agriculture, brought wealth to the region and is home to some of the world’s largest ranches. Amarillo may seem cut off from the rest of Texas, but it stands on one of the great American cross-country routes – I-40 (once legendary Route 66), roughly 300 miles from Albuquerque and 250 miles west of Oklahoma City. Amarillo takes its name from Spanish and it means “yellow”, the color that is so characteristic to this region. Why don’t you enjoy dinner tonight at “The Big Texan Steakhouse”.

DAY 7 Amarillo - Santa Fe

Today you leave Texas and are on your way into “The Land of Enchantment”, New Mexico. Be sure to pass through the world famous Cadillac Ranch before leaving Texas. Stop at the ghost town of Glen Rio, where you can stand with one foot in New Mexico and the other one in Texas. With 4 states behind and 3 still ahead, you ride your bike through the land of Commanche Indians and into Tucumcari, the biggest town between Albuquerque and Amarillo. You head up into the high plains of Santa Fe in central New Mexico. Santa Fe is one of America’s oldest and most beautiful cities, and will be your base for the next two nights. Enjoy our hotel in Santa Fe close to the historic town square and mission.

DAY 8 Santa Fe

Today is at leisure to rest and enjoy the distinctive flavor of this nearly 400-year-old city. The blend of cultures here becomes evident in the southwestern architectural style so closely associated with New Mexico’s capital city. Perhaps you would like to take a ride along the river valley to the old Native American Indian town of Taos, enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon ride, or play cowboy for a day on a horseback ride along a mountain or canyon trail.

DAY 9 Santa Fe - Gallup

This morning you head south, down to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, home to a third of the state’s population. Albuquerque is sprawling at the heart of New Mexico, where the main east – west road and rail routes cross both the Rio Grande and the old road south to Mexico. You cross the Rio Grande and head west out into the open country and the hues of the Navajo wilderness. Further on ride through Grants and along Cibola National Forest towards the famous Route 66 town of Gallup, an old railroad town and Indian stronghold. Enjoy your stay tonight with a host of fellow riders from around the world at one of the many biker friendly hotels in Gallup.

DAY 10 Gallup - Flagstaff

From Gallup it’s only about half an hour to the Arizona border. Once you enter Arizona enjoy a very scenic ride through the Petrified Forest, a fossilized prehistoric forest of giant trees that has been unearthed by erosion. Just west of Petrified National Forest you get to Holbrook and Winslow, two old Route 66 towns that are kept alive by transcontinental truckers. Tonight we will stay in Flagstaff, the northern Arizona community on historic Route 66 and is the regions hub for visits to the Grand Canyon.

DAY 11 Flagstaff - Williams

Today you will be able to visit one of the Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon comprises of layered rocks, cliffs, hills, and valleys and is among the earth’s greatest on-going geological spectacles. Today you will have plenty of time to ride along the rim and stop for amazing vistas and photos. Tonight you will overnight in Williams where you can walk, dine and shop in this historic downtown on Route 66.

DAY 12 Williams - Laughlin

Cruise down “Memory Lane” and head towards the town of Seligman, one of the longest surviving stretches of the “Mother Road”. From Seligman, Route 66 heads off on a northern loop through the Hualapai Indian Reservation and a dozens of quickly fading towns. From Seligman you stay on Route 66 all the way into Kingman. Leaving Kingman, stay on Route 66 via the Oatman Highway. Continue on Route 66 / Oatman Highway as you wind through the canyons surrounded by active and extinct gold mines. The town of Oatman is considered a living Ghost Town. Much of the village stays true to its heritage with staged gunfights and wild burros wandering the streets. Continue to the magical oasis in the dessert, Laughlin.

DAY 13 Laughlin - Victorville

Today it’s off to California, the final state on your ride down legendary Route 66. Ride along the Mojave Desert, which offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Southern California…rolling with lush grasses, startling volcanic formations, large stands of Joshua trees, and even in some Pinyon pines. From the desert you get right into the cool pines of the San Gabriel Mountains. Head for Victorville, which is your base for tonight.

DAY 14 Victorville - Los Angeles - return bike

Today you are on your way to the final destination of your legendary American road trip, Los Angeles. You head for the end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica is one of the oldest and largest LA’s resorts. Once a wild beachfront playground, it is now a self-consciously liberal and healthy community. Spend the afternoon sightseeing and enjoy Hollywood with the famous Chinese Theatre, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and much more. Riders always have mixed emotions as they stand at the “End of the Trail” sign on the Santa Monica Pier. There is a sense of joy and elation at having completed a journey most people only dream about, and a sense of sadness at the thought of the ride having come to an end. The great news is that next ride is just a dream away, and we look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

DAY 15 Depart Los Angeles

Today your exciting trip will conclude in Los Angeles. Please be sure to let us know if you need an extra night or two in L.A. to enjoy the sights.

Route 66 Self Guided Tour

America
Wednesday, 30th October 2019

Departure Dates Listed

Package Prices

Adults€2,499.00 per person
Children €2,499.00 per person

Customer Protection Bond 3% is not included and will be calculated at checkout. This Client Protection Policy protects our clients in the event of supplier business failure. All bookings and transactions are subject to this charge. This charge is applicable to EU residents only.

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