SELF DRIVE TOURS FROM RANCH RIDER
These are just a few examples of what we can offer but please remember that these are just samples and we can offer and tailor virtually anything you wish. The itineraries shown are deliberately designed to be leisurely and give time at each place to savour the flavour and feel of the area, but if you would prefer a more intense itinerary then please let us know. Occasionally we will have to include a long driving day but be assured you will see some wonderful scenary en-route.

NEW ARIZONA ITINERARY - 7 NIGHTS

ARIZONA "ART BY AUTOMOBILE"
Day 1. (30 miles) Depart Tucson for Tubac and overnight. Art Aficionados can sample over 80 galleries and numerous working art studios in Tubac – a thriving art colony surrounded by scenic desert vistas.
Day 2. (121 miles) Depart Tubac for Chandler and overnight.  An opportunity to view a selection of contemporary Western and contemporary native American Art at the Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery.
Day 3. (19 miles) Depart Chandler for Scottsdale and overnight. Highly regarded as a center for Western and Native American art, Scottsdale has numerous galleries featuring a variety of art, ranging from handmade jewelry and original photography to traditional paintings and bronze sculptures. It is also home to the Overland Gallery of Fine Art, which showcases pieces from the Cowboy Artists of America. If arriving in Scottsdale on a Thursday you will be able to take part in the weekly “Artwalks”, which are held year round* (except Thanksgiving).
Day 4. (12 miles) Depart Scottsdale for Phoenix and overnight. The destination is home to the Phoenix Art museum, which hosts the “Cowboy Artists of America Annual Sale and Exhibition.” The annual exhibition will run from 18 October to 16 November 2008, however Western art can be viewed year round. The sale weekend is 17-18 October 2008.
Day 5 . (54 miles) Depart Phoenix for Wickenburg and overnight. This road trip includes one of the West’s most scenic drives on State Highway 74 – travellers passing through the saguaro covered slopes of the Bradshaw Mountain foothills, as they head North from Phoenix to Wickenburg. One of the oldest towns in Arizona, Wickenburg is packed with Western frontier history and art galleries, including the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Ben’s Saddlery is also a must do pit stop, and one of the few remaining places in Arizona practicing this distinctly Western art form.
Day 6. (46 miles) Depart Wickenburg for Prescott and overnight. Celebrating all things equine, the Phippen Museum of Western Art in Prescott is currently showcasing its “Wild Horses” exhibition (open until 30 November 2008)
Day 7 . (183 miles) Depart Prescott for Tucson and overnight. A variety of Western art galleries can be viewed in Tucson, including the Settlers West Galleries, showcasing only the finest in Western and Wildlife art.

*”Art By Automobile”: If you opt for the 14 October 2008 departure you will be able to take part in the Western Artwalk in Scottsdale and the Cowboy Artists of America Annual Sale and Exhibition. Please note while we have highlighted certain exhibitions above, you will be able to view Western art in the galleries year round. Tickets for the Cowboy Artists of America Annual Sale, priced from £157pp, should be purchased in advance from the Men’s Arts Council (http://www.mensartscouncil.com/). Online booking is available and clients will need to register tickets at the Phoenix Art Museum. The normal public admission price to the Phoenix Art Museum is £6pp.
You can also add a 7-night stay at the Tanque Verde Resort Ranch in Tucson to the self-drive tour. Highlights include daily morning rides and weekly desert art classes.

 
ITINERARY A - 8 DAYS

TUCSON - SEDONA - GRAND CANYON - HOOVER DAM
Day 1. Depart Tucson for Sedona and overnight, visit the Red Rock County and maybe take a hike in the nearby Oak Creek Canyon or visit the many artisan shops that abound.
Day 2-5. Depart Sedona and travel up to the Grand Canyon South Rim, experience the wonder of the Grand Canyon - take in a sunset and a sunrise over the canyon. Take a circle drive to Monument Valley and see the stunning red stone Mesas.
Day 6-8. Travel on to Las Vegas and experience the amazing spectacle of the strip. En-route visit the Hoover Dam and take a guided tour to the bottom.
Alternative to Days 6-8. Travel back to Tucson or Phoenix and take in Canyon De Chelly and maybe Tombstone to visit the 'OK Corral'.
ITINERARY B - 8 DAYS
DENVER - DURANGO - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - DENVER
Day 1. Arrive Denver and overnight and experience many of the exhilarating sites this vibrant city has to offer.
Days 2-4. Travel down to Durango and experience Southern Colorado hospitality and maybe visit Mesa Verde National Park before taking a ride on the Durango to Silverton steam train. This is a truly wonderful scenic drive passing through many national forests and wilderness areas.
Days 5-7. Travel back up to North Colorado to Granby and visit the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park and maybe the winter resorts of Steamboat Springs and Vail that take on a total different persona during the summer months. Finish off the holiday by spending a little time visiting the over 300 designer shops of Estes Park.
Day 8. Travel back to Denver.
ITINERARY C - 8 DAYS
JACKSON - GRAND TETONS - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - CODY - JACKSON
Day 1-2. Visit Jackson and Jackson Hole area and maybe do a little shopping in this charming cowboy town.
Day 3-4. Travel on up Yellowstone National Park and visit Grand Teton National Park and the Moran Lake Area on the way. Spend a whole day exploring the majestic Yellowstone Park area and be sure to visit Old Faithful, Upper and Lower Falls and Mammoth Hot Springs plus much more. Approximately 125 miles.
Day 5-6. Travel to Cody and stay overnight, make time to visit Buffalo Bill Museum and the Cody Night Rodeo. If time permits take a round trip to Red Lodge in Montana along the Bear Tooth Highway (one of the most scenic drives in North America). Approximately 130 miles.
Day 7. Travel down through Thermopolis and maybe stop off at the Hot Springs State Park before travelling on to Moran Lake and Jackson. Approximately 305 miles.
Day 8. Depart Jackson Hole.
ITINERARY D - 8 DAYS
BILLINGS - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - GLACIER NATIONAL PARK - BILLINGS
Day 1-3. Travel from Billings to Yellowstone N. P. via Bear Tooth Pass and explore Yellowstone National Park and surrounding area.
Day 4-5. Travel to Kalispell and visit Flathead Lake Area and surrounding national forest and wilderness areas.
Day 6. Travel on to Glacier National Park and experience the ·Going to the Sun Driveę from West Glacier to East Glacier.
Day 7-8. Travel back down to Billings and maybe visit Great Falls on the way back down for some last minute shopping. Optional extra day possible to take in the Little Bighorn Battlefield and National Monument.
ITINERARY E - 8 DAYS
CALGARY - BANFF/LAKE LOUISE - JASPER - EDMONTON
Day 1-2. Experience Calgary.
Day 3-4. Travel to Banff and Lake Louise area and enjoy the delights of the spectacular scenery that abound.
Day 5-6. Continue North and visit the Athabasca Glacier, Maligne Lake and Jasper National Park area.
Day 7-8. Travel East to Edmonton for some last minute shopping at the West Edmonton Mall (arguably the largest shopping Mall in North America) before flying home.

Call Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or fax on 01509 610585
Ranch Rider, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DF, England