IRON PONIES OF THE SOUTHWEST

Our day begins with a coffee meet-and-greet in Tucson where you will be introduced to your riding companions and your faithful steed, a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Your luggage will be transported ahead to our hotel in Tombstone. We will ride east into the heart of Saguaro National Park, home to the world's largest concentration of the iconic saguaro cactus – some towering over 40 feet tall and living for 200 years. These ancient desert sentinels create a cathedral-like landscape unique to the Sonoran Desert. Departing the park, we will venture onto rugged desert trails that wind through classic Arizona desert terrain dotted with saguaro, ocotillo, and palo verde. Today's terrain ranges from easy desert washes to moderate technical challenges, showcasing why this region is a highlight of America motorcycle tours. Our evening will be spent in legendary Tombstone – where Wyatt Earp walked the streets, the O.K. Corral gunfight changed history, and the frontier spirit still lives. The night is yours to explore this authentic Wild West town, featuring historic saloons, live gunfight reenactments, and an incredible frontier atmosphere.

This is your longest and most adventurous day, taking you deep into the Dragoon Mountains to explore Cochise Stronghold – the natural granite fortress where the legendary Apache Chief Cochise and 1,000 of his people resisted US and Mexican forces for 15 years. We will navigate forest roads and technical trails through massive granite boulder formations, hidden canyons, and oak woodlands that provided the Apache with natural defensive positions and escape routes. These are sacred lands where history was made – where your ADV skills will be tested and rewarded with some of the most spectacular riding in Arizona. After we discover the remains of historic mining operations at Pearce Ghost Town, we'll journey south into copper country. The afternoon brings us to Bisbee, the "Queen of the Copper Camps," where Victorian buildings cascade down mountainsides in gravity-defying architecture. You may wish to spend your afternoon underground on a Copper Queen Mine tour, experiencing the conditions where miners extracted 8 billion pounds of copper, or you might decide to spend time in the sun, exploring the fabled town full of museums, shops, and history. The day ends with another opportunity to enjoy Tombstone and share tales of the day's conquests with your fellow riders.

The Santa Rita Mountains are considered among America's most spectacular sky island ecosystems. Today, we experience the biological equivalent of riding from Mexico to Canada in just 27 miles as we climb from desert floor to pine forest. Navigate the winding paved mountain road to Madera Canyon, an international birding destination where 15 species of hummingbirds and over 250 bird species have been recorded. The cool mountain air and shaded trails offer respite from the desert heat, while Mount Wrightson towers above at 9,453 feet. We'll experience world-famous wildlife viewing, walk among towering ponderosa pines, and understand why this sky island ecosystem is so critical for biodiversity. Scenic trails carry us north through Arizona's emerging wine country in Sonoita. We end our ride in Tucson, where our luggage awaits us. You may wish to add a hotel night in Tucson's historic downtown, explore the UNESCO-recognized culinary scene, or catch an evening flight home. Our adventure may be over, but you'll carry with you the spirit of the Apache warriors, the legends of the Wild West, and memories of some of the most diverse landscapes in America.