Itinerary

Day 1: Rapid city / Sturgis / Spearfish / Deadwood

Begin your vacation by exploring Bear Butte State Park and summit the mountain trail yielding sweeping panoramic views for miles and miles. After lunch and a short tour of the visitor’s center, we begin our bike ride to Sturgis. Here we load up in the van to travel a short distance away to the town of Spearfish for a bike ride through a neat canyon. This evening, we arrive at Deadwood, our home for the night. We’ll walk the same sidewalks as the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp and Buffalo Bill, to name just a few. Tonight we enjoy dinner in downtown Deadwood, a short walk from our hotel.
Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Deadwood, Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Mickelson trail / Deadwood

After a hearty breakfast, we head up to the old gold town of Rochford to begin our first leg of the Mickelson Trail. The trail follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line, which serviced gold country for nearly a century. We ride the trail “backward” as we make our way back towards Deadwood. Enjoy lunch and some downtime before spending your afternoon exploring Deadwood on your own. Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark that was originally settled illegally by gold rushers. Experience the historic town that embodies the lawless west as you explore Deadwood’s museums and downtown. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Deadwood, Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 3: Mickelson Trail / Mount Rushmore

Today, eat a big breakfast because we have a big and exciting day ahead of us! We’ll first transfer by van to Rochford where our continuing ride up and down the Mickelson Trail begins. You’ll pass by the Mystic Trailhead as you make your way on to Hill City, the second oldest town in the Black Hills. Near here, we’ll do lunch and perhaps even a bit of swimming. We’ll then check into our accommodation for the next 3 nights, the Sylvan Lake Lodge, before we depart for a scenic tour of the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road before dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Sylvan Lake Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Mickelson Trail / Wind Cave National Park

Another amazing day awaits you! We’ll resume our Mickelson Trail bike ride, pedaling a 29-mile stretch with rewarding views of Crazy Horse before we pedal back down to the town of Custer where picnic lunch awaits. This afternoon, we’ll begin our ride where we left off to pedal to the tiny town of Pringle. This afternoon we will take in natural beauty as we transfer to Wind Cave to tour one of the most complex and longest caves in the world. Enjoy tonight’s dinner at our accommodation’s restaurant.
Overnight: Sylvan Lake Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Mickelson Trail / Edgemont

Today we will continue our journey south on the Mickelson Trail, completing the final section of our 110-mile journey. This easygoing section of trail passes through rolling foothills, expansive private ranches, and “as-far-as-the-eye-can-see” prairies. Lunch is at the City Park in Edgemont, the official end of the trail, where we will celebrate our last day of biking with a toast! After lunch, enjoy a bit of free time before shuttling to the State Game Lodge for a final dinner together. Tonight, toast to a great week spent exploring the Black Hills!
Overnight: Sylvan Lake Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Crazy Horse Memorial/ Rapid City

This morning we head over to the world’s largest mountain carving, Crazy Horse. Still, in progress, the Memorial is destined to be some 10 times the size of Mt Rushmore. This is more than just carvings in stone; it is a compound that will eventually pay tribute to the American Indians and the great Indian Chief, Crazy Horse, housing the Indian Museum of North America, Indian University of North America, and a host of other properties. After your tour we will say good bye to the Black Hills and head back to Rapid City for our final farewells.
Meals: breakfast

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Included:

• Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
• All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions, except one dinner on your own.
• Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
• Bikes, helmets and other necessary equipment -all safe and well maintained.
• Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
• T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service.
• Pre-departure and packing information.
• Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.

Not included:

• One dinner on your own.|
• Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
• Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
• Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
• All types of personal insurance.
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities to tour guides.

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2023 from : $ 3499.- pp Single fee from $ 699.-
Tour dates 2023:
September 3 – 8 fully booked
September 10 – 15 fully booked
September 17 – 22 Almost full

Conditions

Deposit 25% A deposit fee of $500.00 p.p. is non-refundable
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Arrival & Departure
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 8:00 or 8:20 am, depending on your hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Rapid City airport (12:00 pm) or your Rapid City hotel (12:30 pm).

Activities
Biking: 15 to 32 miles per ride, easy to moderate terrain on paved roads and Mickelson Trail (packed gravel)
Hiking: 2 to 4 miles, easy to moderate terrain
The guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They take the time to explain the local history, daily sightseeing, and route options. Each route has been carefully planned to include options to please each traveler’s interests. Our guides are available to help you select the distance that’s right for you and to offer advice and assistance as you desire.

Few attractions stir the emotions of visitors the way Mount Rushmore does. Since its completion in 1941, it has joined the Statue of Liberty and the Stars & Stripes as one of America’s most inspiring symbols of democracy. Can you imagine a nose on a person that is 20 feet long?! On Mount Rushmore’s presidents’ six-story tall heads, their rather large noses appear quite normal. Discover the enormity of the Crazy Horse Memorial, its past and present controversies, and the mountain carving’s historic significance at the Native American Cultural Center. Visit a herd of the friendly wild begging burros in South Dakota’s first and largest state park, Custer State Park. Descend into the depths of Wind Cave, the first cave designated as a national park and home to approximately 95% of the world’s boxwork formation. Follow the route of the 1890 Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad on the Mickelson Trail, keeping an eye out for wild turkeys along the way. Follow the steps of famous historic figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Jack McCall, and Seth Bullock in the Old West historic town of Deadwood. Come see all there is to do in the Mount Rushmore State!
Mickelson Trail
Imagine a path where the ghosts of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane still roam; where bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders can explore spruce and ponderosa pine forests; and the very young, the very old and people of all abilities can enjoy.
The George S. Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where trail use is restricted to the trail only.
The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone and gravel. There are 15 trailheads, all of which offer parking, self-sale trail pass stations, vault toilets, and tables.
Meals
The hallmark of our tour operators vacation is there exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions ”“ except one dinner on your own ”“ are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.