Is it the right vacation for you? Our typical cycling day is 35-55 miles on flat and gently rolling terrain, making this an ideal trip for the casual cyclist.

Testimonials about our trips: "This was our first trip with Alyson Adventures and it was the best vacation we've ever had!!"— Eric Britten, Anchorage, Alaska

"Far and away the best vacation I've ever had. Well planned with just the right balance of sightseeing, physical activity, great food, and most of all, fun people."— Susan Eaton, San Diego, Calif.

1: Tucson Two Step

Tucson is a happening town. It’s historic; it’s hip; it has great restaurants and fun nightlife. We’ll start with a bike tour of the town, to get acclimated to our bikes, the dry air, and the laconic pace of the desert Southwest. There are plenty of great places to ride in and around Tucson. National and State Parks surround the city with cactus forests, rolling hills, and craggy mountains. There are also a lot of cool and funky ethnic neighborhoods, offering interesting views into city life.

2-3: We Have Reservations

After breakfast, we ride south to the San Xavier Indian Reservation, where we’ll do the bulk of our riding today. First stop is the magnificent Mission San Xavier del Bac, founded in 1700 by Father Kino, where we visit the interesting museum, and the mission itself.

From the mission we’ll pedal through the Indian village of Bac, with its picturesque graveyard (off-limits, alas) and then plunge into the bizarre landscape of the Sonoran desert on lonely Mission Road. After passing some enormous copper mines, our route slopes down to Green Valley, a town of retirees with wide bike lanes that also accommodate golf carts. Perhaps Green Valley’s most interesting attraction is the Titan Missile Museum, where you can see the only remaining missile of its kind - a full ten stories tall - and get a guided tour of the launching facility. We’ll spend two nights in the sleepy cowboy village of Amado, but there will be plenty of things to keep us moving.

The next day offers several options, depending on the group. There’s great hiking in the nearby Santa Rita Mountains (which top off at well over 9000 feet); mountain biking on the famous Elephant Head trail, or up to the top of Mt. Hopkins with a visit to its observatory; horseback riding in nearby Rio Rico; or just hanging out by the pool, getting spa treatments, and attending a yoga class right on the premises.

Hard-core cyclists will love the quiet, undulating road to hippyesque Arivaca and the tiny border town of Sasabe (the whole trip makes a perfect century). And you can even learn to cook for your dog at Dog Chefs of America, just down the road. Dinner tonight is on your own, with an intriguing possibility at the nearby Longhorn Grill.

4: Nogales: Border Patrol

There’s a lot to see today on the road to Nogales. Our route follows the beautiful Santa Cruz River, a linear oasis in the desert. From the artists’ village of Tubac (Arizona’s oldest town) you can walk along the river in the shade of cottonwoods and sycamores until our next stop: Tumacacori National Historic Park. Here you’ll learn of the culture clashes between Spanish settlers and local Apaches, and see the beautiful remnants of the old, failed mission. Continuing southward toward the border, you’ll have the opportunity to make a scenic side trip to Pena Blanca Lake.

Nogales is probably the most appealing town along the US-Mexican border, with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of sights and shopping. We’ll stay on the American side of the border but have plenty of time to explore the shops along Avenida Obregon before dinner at an old mansion on the Mexican side, complete with margaritas and mariachis.

5: Patagonia (AZ that is)

At only 33 miles, today is a shorter day of riding (though extra miles are always an option), taking us through beautiful forests up to the only grassland area in Arizona. Along the way, we can stop at Patagonia Lake State Park and rent a rowboat, take a birdalicious hike along Patagonia Creek, owned by the Nature Conservancy, and stop for lunch in the charming, increasingly chic old village of Patagonia. Sonoita, tonight’s destination, is also the center for Arizona’s budding wine industry, boasting numerous good restaurants. This will be our home for the next two nights.

6: The Long and Winey Road

Today’s bike ride is a 50-mile loop through stunning landscapes. Stop at Fort Huachuca, established in 1877 during the Apache Wars and home of the Buffalo Soldiers. Visit the museum here and admire the vintage (1883) Army barracks, still in use today, before heading out the back entrance for the return ride to Sonoita. One of the most beautiful and lonely roads in Arizona takes us to tiny Elgin, known for its wineries (open for tastings). A few pumps of the pedals past ranches, real and faux, bring us home for the evening.

7: Saguaro National Park and Cactus Heaven

From Sonoita it’s mostly downhill back to Tucson (roughly 45 miles), on fantastically scenic Highway 83. Must-sees along the way are Colossal Cave Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park, with its highly recommended 8-mile cycling loop on Cactus Forest Drive. From here it’s an easy ride back into town, with bike lanes the whole way. Now that we’ve seen a big chunk of Arizona, and ridden bunches of miles, margaritas are in order, as well as a farewell feast at El Charro, the oldest Mexican restaurant in the US.

8: Departure Day

Our tour ends after breakfast, so you can depart anytime today. We hope you enjoyed our Southwest Adventure!