Compare Día de Los Muertos in Oaxaca by Road Scholar vs Arizona: Saguaro National Park & the Sonoran Desert by VBT

Day 1
Arrive, To Cuernavaca, Welcome Dinner
Cuernavava, Morelos D Hotel Posada Quinta las Flores
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Ride is approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Afternoon: Meet the Group Leader at 3:00 p.m. at the airport for the group transfer to Cuernavaca, where we will then check into the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine, enjoy a three course plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the days ahead.

Day 2
Orientation, Cuernavaca City Excursion, Mexican History
Cuernavava, Morelos B,L,D Hotel Posada Quinta las Flores
Activity note: Walking up to 2-1/2 miles; one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant, order a plated meal from the menu plus coffee, tea, juice, water.

Morning: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures including contact numbers for key staff, and answer any questions you may have. All transportation will be provided via bus unless specified otherwise. An instructor will conduct all sessions in the classroom; a certified expert will lead field trips and excursions. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will then set out for a field trip through Cuernavaca to visit historical buildings including the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de Asuncion, the Hernan Cortes Palace, and the Bodra Gardens. Cuernavaca was established by the Olmec – considered to be the “mother culture of Mesoamerica. Its name is a Spanish derivation of a Nahuatl phrase meaning “surrounded by or close to trees.” The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de Asuncion, or Cuernavaca Cathedral, was built in the 16th by the first Franciscan Friars. One of the oldest cathedrals in Mexico, admire the frescoes rediscovered in the early 20th century showing the persecution of Christian missionaries in Japan. We will also visit Robert Brady Museum, here we will have an opportunity to admire different expressions of art from many places of the world. This museum was the private home of artist and collector Robert Brady (1928 – 1986) you will have an opportunity to admire textiles, paintings, sculptures, carvings and other expressions of art.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, enjoy a three course meal plus coffee, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Once the residence of Manuel de la Borda and his family, this magnificent mansion hosted balls and galas for Maximilian I during his reign. The gardens were established as with plants and trees brought from around the world. Returning to the hotel, we will have our first presentation led by our instructor on Mexican history, followed by a social prior to dinner in our private meeting room. This is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the rest of the group.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 3
Xochicalo Archaeological Site, Jojutla Mor., Current Mexico
Cuernavava, Morelos B,L,D Hotel Posada Quinta las Flores
Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles with stairs under strong sun. Bring hats, sunscreen, water. Driving approx. 40 miles; about 2.5 hrs.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: Led by a local expert, our day begins with a field trip to Xochicalo – a pre-Columbian archeological site meaning “in the house of Flowers.” This World Heritage Site is believed to have reached its peak between 700 to 900 CE and may have hosted a population of up to 20,000 people. Due to the areas poor soil, the city was likely a fortified commercial and religious center.

Lunch: At a local restaurant at Jardines Mexico, enjoy a three-course meal, plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We will then visit Jardines the Mexico at Jojutla Mor. This is the largest floral gardens theme park of the world; thanks to the great weather of the state of Morelos this project is now a reality since 2014. Your local expert will introduce you to the seven gardens of the site from the Mexican cacti to the Italian renaissance, among others. You will then have time to explore on your own and experience a much greater love and respect for nature, an experience full of life. When we return to the hotel, take some time to relax and freshen up before our second lecture on Mexico. In the early evening, we will become better acquainted with modern Mexico with a lecture from our expert on the country’s economic, political, and present situation. One of the largest and most populous countries in the world, Mexico has one of the world’s largest economies and is one of the most visited countries.

Dinner: We will have a short ride to a local restaurant and enjoy a three course meal plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
To Oaxaca, Tehuacán, Oaxaca City Center
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Activity note: Ride is approximately 6 hours. Walking up to 2-1/2 miles on flat surfaces.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: Checking out of the hotel, we will depart by motorcoach for our transfer to Oaxaca. On the way to Oaxaca we will stop in Tehuacán for an opportunity to explore its downtown and for lunch. Originally settled by indigenous peoples, the city is home to a wide array of cultures and is known for its many diverse festivals.

Lunch: At a popular, centrally located restaurant in Tehuacán, enjoy a two course meal plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Arriving in Oaxaca, we will check into the hotel and meet at a designated time and place to begin our walking field trip to the historic city center. Though the current city was founded in 1532, the Zapotec and Mixtec pre-Columbian civilizations settled in the area for thousands of years. The city is known for these archeological sites and the large number of colonial-era structures.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine, enjoy a three course plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Día de Los Muertos, Santo Domingo Museum, Chocolate Factory
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Activity note: Walking up to 3-1/2 miles on flat surfaces.

Breakfast: At the hotel enjoy a buffet featuring Mexican and International cuisine including hot egg dishes, bread, pastries, breakfast meats, yogurts, and fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.

Morning: Our day begins with an with a lecture in our private meeting room on the Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, and how it has been celebrated through time. The holiday combines the beliefs of the indigenous people with the Catholic Spaniards that arrived in the 15th century. Indigenous peoples believed that each year, the souls of the dead return to eat and drink with the living as they would have before their deaths. This belief was combined with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Our first field trip for the day will take us to Santo Domingo Church and Museum of Oaxaca Cultures. In the church, we will have an opportunity to admire the Baroque ecclesiastical building built between1570 and 1608. Once the Templo de Danto Domingo de Guzmán founded by the Dominican Order, the rooms that once constituted the monastery now forms the Cultural Center of Oaxaca. After undergoing construction for nearly 200 years, it underwent a complete restoration that was finished in 1999.

Lunch: Walking to a local restaurant a few blocks from the church and museum, we will enjoy a plated three course meal plus coffee, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We will walk to the market and chocolate factory, where we will learn the history and see receive a step-by-step demonstration of the chocolate making process. We will learn how chocolate was traditionally prepared as a drink that was only for members of Mayan royalty. See how the cacao is flavored with vanilla and transformed into a liquid, paste, or block form. Learn how chocolate is used in food preparation, beverages, and the candy making industry.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: We will celebrat Dia de los Muertos by visiting one of the many cemeteries and observe the rituals associated with this important celebration.

Day 6
Xoxo Cemetery, Arrazola, Cuilapan, 3000 Years of History
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile on flat surface

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Aboard our bus and led by a local expert we will ride Xoxo Cemetery in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán. It is just one of the many cemeteries that are filled with decorated graves with flowers of cempasuchitl – marigold flowers referred to as “flor de muerto” – dedicated to deceased family members. We will walk in the trail of the cemetery admiring all the altars and decorations that families dedicate to the diseased relatives. We will continue to Arrazola a quiet town outside of Oaxaca that is the birthplace of alebrijes, or brightly painted folk art sculptures of creatures limited only by the imagination. When woodcarving was introduced to the area in the 1950’s, this art form took on a life of its own and has become internationally renowned.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, enjoy a two course meal plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Our day continues with a visit to the town of Cuilipan de Guerrero, where we will visit the Cuilipan Monastery. Once a formidable city with a population of over 40,000, the Spanish built the Monastery to convert the Zapotec and Mixtex populations. After decades of population decline, the monastery slowly deteriorated to its current state. Today, it is a national monument under the care of the National Institute of Anthropology and History. After these visits we will return to the hotel and assemble at our private meeting room for a lecture, we will build on our knowledge of Oaxaca and its history stretching back 3,000 years.

Dinner: At a local restaurant featuring a three-course meal plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverage available for purchase.

Evening: We will continue celebrating Dia de los Muertos as we walk downtown and attend presentations sponsored by different cultural organizations.

Day 7
Santa Maria del Tule, Mitla, Teotitlan del Valle.
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Activity note: Ride approximately 1-1/2 hours throughout the day. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; bring hats, sunscreen, water.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will depart to Santa Maria del Tule, home of the widest tree in the world with a diameter of almost 40 feet. Santa Maria del Tule used to be marshland filled with bulrushes, which the Aztecs called “tulle” and cypress trees. At the towns center is El Árbol del Tule, a 2,000 year old Montezuma cypress tree. Continuing along, we will visit Mitla Archaeological site, the most important site for the Zapotec culture. It is unique among other Mexican sites due to its intricate geometric and mosaic work that cover everything from friezes to entire walls. Well preserved thanks to the dry climate, Mitla was the residence of the high priest, whom the Spanish likened to the Pope, and served as the main religious center for the Zapote.

Lunch: At a local restaurant just outside Mitla Archaeological Site featuring a buffet specializing in different kinds of moles, enjoy a variety of salads, main dishes, and desserts, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Our exploration continues at Teotitlán del Valle, where we will learn about this small village best known for its handmade textiles from local materials.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: We will continue celebrating Dia de los Muertos by visiting one of the many cemeteries and observe the rituals associated with this important celebration.

Day 8
The Ocotlan Route, Coyotepec, Jalieza, & Ocotlan
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Activity note: Total ride time will be approximately 2 hours throughout the day. Walking up to 1 mile on flat surfaces.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Setting out from the hotel, we will start our day with a visit to the town of Coyotepec, meaning “many tigers” in the Zapotec language. The town is known for the black pottery that is produced there. For many centuries, black pottery has been produced with a dull finish, but when Doña Rosa Real Mateo started polishing and giving the pottery a shiny finish, they become more attractive and the industry grew. Our local expert will give us the explanation of the entire process on how they work the clay. Our field trip will continue to Ocotlan de Morelos. We will visit the Dominican church and convent founded in the 16th century, and observe how one side of the chapel opens to the main central nave. We will get to see some of the local artwork, including some from famous local artists.

Lunch: Along our route, we will stop at a restaurant for a three course meal plus coffee, soft drinks, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Visiting the last town along the Ocotlan Route, we will stop in Jalietza where we will receive a demonstration on belt weaving. The townsfolk are known for their handmade embroidered cloth and leather belts. Following the demonstration, we will return to Oaxaca.

Dinner: A short ride away, we will dine at a local restaurant featuring, a variety of small plates from the region of Ismuths, plus fruit juice, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Lecture Magic Hands of Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Benito Juarez
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Activity note: Walking up to 2 mile under direct sun; bring hats, sunscreen, water. Optional Stairs onto pyramids

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: Lecture on Magic Hands of Oaxaca. This lecture will include a closer look in the ethnic groups, the diversified customs and traditions of the area, the artistry of the people outstanding, the fashioned buildings, clothing & decorations. Our field trip then takes us to Monte Albán, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico with the most spectacular views. One of the greatest Mesoamerican cities, it served as a political and economic center for the Zapotec from roughly 500 BCE to around 500 CE. One of the most defining features of the city are the carved monuments or “Danzantes” lining the Main Plaza. After the site visit, we will walk into Monte Alban Site Museum with an opportunity to observe many of the artifacts excavated from the area; one of the highlights is the collection of the Danzantes.

Lunch: We will drive to restaurant outside of Monte Alban known for their delicious food, a buffet featuring Mexican food, with a variety of main dishes, salads, soups, water, coffee, soft drinks; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Free afternoon, your group leader can provide you with suggestions of places to visit during your free time.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, enjoy a three course meal plus coffee, soft drinks, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure

Day 10
Legends and Traditions of Oaxaca
Oaxaca B,L,D Hotel Casa Conzatti
Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: Enjoy a presentation on the legends and traditions of Oaxaca. Thanks to Oaxaca’s large indigenous populations, the state is incredibly heterogeneous because each group has their own language, culture, and traditions.br> Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Lunch: At the hotel, we will have a buffet featuring a variety of soups, salad, and main dishes, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At a local restaurant featuring a three course meal plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We will walk from the restaurant to the performance site and we will experience La Guelaguetza, an event celebrating indigenous culture with dancing, costumes, and parades. More than half of Oaxaca’s populations are indigenous people and their culture remains as an important part of their identity.

Day 11
To Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala Historic Center; Benito Juarez video
Tlaxcala B,L,D Posada San Francisco
Activity note: Ride is approximately 5 hours. Walk up to 1 mile.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Checking out of the hotel, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Tlaxcala. During our ride, we will be accompanied by a local expert who will provide commentary about our destination and the communities we will travel through. Also, on route presentation of the film Benito Juarez, one of the most influential figures in modern Mexican history. Leading “La Reforma del Norte” or “The Reform of the North,” he is credited with bringing federalist, liberal policies to the Mexican government. We will arrive in time for lunch.

Lunch: At the hotel, enjoy a three course meal plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: After checking into the hotel, we will depart for a walking field trip to the historic center of Tlaxcala. Established by the Spanish in the 16th century, the city served as a center for government and evangelization after the establishment of New Spain. The compact city center is filled with historic, colonial era building painted in a variety of colors.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, enjoy a three course diner with fruit water, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12
Cacaxtla Archaeological Site
Tlaxcala B,L,D Posada San Francisco
Activity note: Walking up to 1-1/2 miles and climbing a flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel enjoy a buffet featuring Mexican and International cuisine including hot egg dishes, bread, pastries, breakfast meats, yogurts, and fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.

Morning: Take a field trip to the archeological site of Cacaxtla. A prosperous city for more than 300 years, Cacaxtla declined around 900 CE before ultimately being abandoned by the year 1000. Cacaxtla was built around the Gran Basamento, a large elevated platform where the most important buildings where located and offering unobstructed views of the surrounding area. It is known for its colorful murals with their unmistakable Maya influence that are in excellent condition having not been excavated until the 1980’s.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Tlaxcala, we will stop at a restaurant for a three course meal plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy a three-course dinner with fruit water, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13
Huamantla, Market & Bull Fight Museum, Farewell Dinner
Tlaxcala B,L,D Posada San Francisco
Activity note: Walking up to 1-1/2 miles on flat surfaces.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Departing from the hotel, we will visit the small city of Huamantla and the Rosete Aranda National Puppet Museum. The only one of its kind in Latin America, the museum showcases the history of modern Mexican puppetry – an art form whose history can be traced back to Huamantla in the 1850’s. We then will continue along to the Bullfighting Museum located in an 18th century building next to the city’s bullring that celebrates the tradition of Mexican bullfighting and matadors with a diverse collection.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Huamantla, enjoy a three course meal plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Our exploration of Huamantla continues with some free time to explore Huamantla municipal market.

Dinner: Walking to a local restaurant, enjoy a three course farewell meal plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water’ other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 14
To MEX, Program Concludes
Tlaxcala B
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 1:00 p.m. Ride is approximately 2 hours to MEX.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Immediately following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

DAY 1: Arrive in Tubac / VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Warm-up ride / Welcome reception and dinner

Make your own arrangements for travel to Arizona and to our first hotel. VBT offers a shuttle that departs from Tucson International Airport at 1:30 p.m. The shuttle works on a “show and go” basis. Reservations are not required. Your Top Shelf Transportation driver will meet you at the bottom of the escalator leading to the baggage claim carousels. The driver will be holding a VBT sign next to the seating area by baggage claim 2. The travel time to Tubac Golf Resort & Spa is approximately one hour.

If you are scheduled to arrive at the airport after the shuttle’s departure or if you are delayed, you must take a taxi at your own expense. For guests driving to the tour, we recommend that you park your vehicle at the Tucson International Airport and take the shuttle, as our tour ends in Tucson. Parking at the airport costs approximately $10 a day in the garage, or $4.50-$6 a day in the economy lot offsite. Or you can park at Hacienda del Sol for the week at no charge (please notify the hotel’s valet), and taxi to the Tucson International Airport to catch our shuttle to Tubac Golf Resort & Spa. Please contact the first hotel if any travel delays or changes occur; they will inform your VBT trip leaders. Please note: check-in time is 4:00 p.m.

Upon arrival at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, take time to change into your biking clothes if you have not already done so. At 2:30 p.m., meet your group and your VBT trip leaders for the first day of your Arizona bike tour. After a safety and bike-fitting session, enjoy by a short warm-up ride. At 6:30 p.m., meet your fellow travelers during a tour orientation and welcome reception. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the resort. Get to know your traveling companions as you anticipate your vacation, highly rated among Arizona bike tours.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Warm-up — 9 miles

What to Expect:

Get acquainted with your bicycle during a leisurely warm-up ride from Tubac. The ride is on paved roads.

Cumulative Distance Range: 9 miles

Included Meals: Dinner

DAY 2: Discover Tubac / Visit Tumacácori National Historical Park

After breakfast, a scenic cycling route delivers you to the town of Tubac, crossing the Santa Cruz River for a leisurely ride in the beautiful countryside. On your way back, you may stop to visit the family-owned and -operated Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company. Next, discover Tumacácori National Historical Park, a mission dating to the 17th century. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the mission, museum, orchard, garden, and walking trails.

After lunch on your own in Tubac, the afternoon is free for you to explore. There’ll be time to experience Tubac, a colorful artists’ colony where talented sculptors, painters, potters, artisans, and jewelers perfect their craft, drawing inspiration from the magnificent desert landscapes.

Relax at the resort. If you desire a tee time or spa appointment during your stay, we recommend that you contact the resort prior to traveling.

Settle into your private hacienda and enjoy the rest of the evening. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Tubac to Tumacácori — 20 miles

Afternoon: Tumacácori to Tubac — 3 miles | Tubac to Resort — 1 mile OR Anza Trail Hike to Tumacácori to Tubac Resort — 5.2 miles

What to Expect:

This morning, bike from the resort past Tubac and across the Santa Cruz River to the southern Arizona countryside. Visit Santa Crus Chile Factory and Tumacácori National Historical Park. Here, enjoy a self-guided visit of the mission grounds and explore the museum and bookshop.

After your visit of Tumacácori, cycle back to the center of Tubac to discover the town and explore the galleries or return to the resort. Another option is to hike back on the Anza Trail with one of your trip leaders.

Cumulative Distance Range: 4 – 24 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3: Shuttle to Arivaca / Cycle Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge to Amado / Shuttle to Tucson

Today, shuttle from Tubac to South Ruby Road near Arivaca Lake for a ride experience in the southern Arizona Sonoran high desert. Pause at Arivaca’s Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and wander the trails through semi-desert grasslands, cottonwoods, and willow-lined riverbanks before you begin your ride. The ride offers some of the best and most varied desert scenery in the southern part of Arizona. You can imagine being a settler trying to tame this rugged land when cycling here. Enjoy lunch at a local landmark. From there, board a shuttle to your Tucson hotel, a warm and authentic hacienda. Gather at the Terraza for al fresco dining, gazing out at the Santa Catalina mountains, and perhaps live music entertainment.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Arivaca to Amado — 28 miles OR Arivaca and Creek Trailhead to Amado PLUS — 42 miles

What to Expect:

Start this morning with a 55-minute shuttle from Tubac Resort to Arivaca Lake area. From here, cycle to Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge in Arivaca. Take a stroll on the trails. A longer ride option takes you to the Arivaca Creek trailhead for an optional walk to the refuge. Continue cycling on paved roads, descending to Amado with some rolling hills and open range. The ride on Arivaca Road is ranked one of Arizona’s favorite road bike rides. This narrow, windy, curvy road offers views of desert cactus, ranches, and mountains off in the distance. Border patrol and local ranchers will constitute the majority of the traffic. At the end of your ride, enjoy a hearty lunch, including homemade desserts, at a local restaurant, before shuttling (one hour) to Tucson to your hotel. Settle in and regroup for dinner on the terrace.

Cumulative Distance Range: 28 – 42 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Shuttle to Saguaro National Park West / Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

This morning, shuttle from Hacienda del Sol to Saguaro National Park West, home to the remarkable Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This unusual museum boasts more than 300 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants in a beautiful natural setting. There’ll be ample time to observe wild animals and desert plants, attend lectures, visit an art show, and take a self-guided tour along the two miles of walking trails. Enjoy lunch on your own in either of the museum’s two restaurants. After your explorations, you can start pedaling directly from the museum past the saguaro, the distinctive giant cacti that grow here and nowhere else on Earth. It is pure pleasure to cycle this classic Arizona landscape that has come to epitomize the Southwest. Take in spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Your ride continues to the stunning Gates Pass in the dramatic Tucson Mountains. Then, an exhilarating descent returns you to Tucson and onto “The Loop,” a shared-use path rated the #1 bike path in America. The breathtaking Tucson Loop winds through vibrant Tucson back to your hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Sonora Desert Museum to Hacienda del Sol — 35 miles

What to Expect:

Shuttle (45 minutes) this morning to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for a morning of exploration and lunch on your own. After lunch, start your ride from the museum in the Saguaro National Park West, with its endless views of large saguaro cacti. Ride a challenging climb on Gates Pass Road (at 6.6 miles), a winding, hilly ride. This climb follows a road with no shoulder and blind corners for 2.4 miles so it is only for more comfortable riders. An optional shuttle in the VBT van will be available for those who prefer to shuttle up the pass from mileage 6.6. Descend into Tucson to join The Loop, a multi-use path along Tucson riverbeds. You will ride 15 miles on The Loop along the Santa Cruz and the Rillito Rivers, with views of the other three mountain ranges surrounding the city – the Santa Catalina Mountains to the northeast, the Rincon Mountains to the east, and the Santa Rita Mountains to the south.

Please note: The rules in Saguaro National Park are strictly enforced. You must wear a helmet at all times when cycling in the park, and you must obey the speed limit and any traffic signs. Park rangers will issue tickets to offenders, including those speeding on downhill slopes.

Cumulative Distance Range: 35 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5: Saguaro National Park East / Farewell dinner

For the final ride of your Arizona bike tour, cycle from the hotel. Today’s ride is a scenic route first on The Loop for 15 miles along the Rillito River and Pantano Wash and then along the Old Spanish Trail into Saguaro National Park East. Once in the park, follow the one-way Loop Drive for a thrilling cycle through the park. Your morning ride ends at the Javelina picnic area for a picnic lunch in a spectacular setting, gazing upon a desert terrain dotted with stunning saguaro cacti. Saguaro National Park, spread over 92,000 acres on the edge of the modern city of Tucson, protects some of the most impressive forests of these giant subtropical plants.

After lunch, continue cycling through the park to Broadway Bicycles. Be sure to leave time to stop and purchase an Arizona cycling jersey! Then hop a ride to Hacienda del Sol.

Tonight, celebrate with the group during a farewell dinner at Hacienda del Sol’s renowned restaurant, The Grill.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Hacienda del Sol to Saguaro National Park East — 26 miles | Saguaro National Park East loop — 8 miles

Afternoon: Saguaro National Park East to Broadway Bicycles — 8 miles

What to Expect:

This morning cycle from Hacienda del Sol to The Loop for 10 miles through in Tucson. Continue on the Old Spanish Trail toward Saguaro National Park East. In the park, follow the one-way Loop Drive. Eager cyclists sometimes ride the eight-mile in-park loop a second time before lunch. Stop for a picnic lunch prepared by your trip leaders. After, you may ride or shuttle to Broadway Bicycles. Visit the bicycle shop, a great place to purchase cycling gear. Everyone will shuttle from here to the hotel.

Please note: The rules in Saguaro National Park are strictly enforced. You must wear a helmet at all times when cycling in the park, and you must obey the speed limit and any traffic signs. Park rangers will issue tickets to offenders. BEWARE of the first downhill after the ranger tollbooth on the left.

Cumulative Distance Range: 8 – 42 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Departure

Your Arizona bike tour concludes after an included breakfast at your hotel. VBT’s complimentary shuttle is available to take departing guests to the Tucson International Airport at 9:00 a.m., arriving approximately 40 minutes later. If you are flying out of Tucson, we suggest a flight no earlier than 12:00 p.m. Guests who need to get to the airport earlier or later must make their own arrangements.

Included Meals: Breakfast