Itinerary

Day 1:

Begin this Vermont Fall Foliage bicycle tour with a cruise across Lake Champlain to Westport, NY. Disembark for a beautiful ride through the Adirondack Park to Essex, NY, the entire town of which is listed on the National Historic Register. The dockside arrival at the Basin Harbor Club is an impressive beginning to your stay at this classic style lakeside resort . Enjoy a festive first-night gathering at one of the resort’s established restaurants.
Distance: 25, 39 miles. Meals: Lunch, Dinner. Private cruise. Lodging: Basin Harbor Club

Day 2:

Explore the limestone barracks of Crown Point Historic Site. Relax at the hotel, play tennis or golf, or paddle a boat on the lake. The remains of this 18th century French, and then British, fortress sit along a narrow section of Lake Champlain that was critical to control of this important waterway during the War of 1812. Later, visit the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
Distance: 18, 33, 46 miles. Meals: Breakfast. Dinner. Lodging: Basin Harbor Club

Day 3:

Leave the lakeshore behind and wind your way east through rolling farmland, to the edge of the Green Mountains. Stop to view the waterfalls in the small village of Vergennes before choosing an optional loop out past Kingsland Bay State Park and over Little Otter Creek.
Distance: 21, 35, 54 miles. Meals: Breakfast. Lodging: Middleburry Inn

Day 4:

This morning’s ride leads through rural valley farmland to Station Covered Bridge, built in 1865 to provide a vital east-west link to a nearby railroad shipping station. Continue to the town of Brandon along country roads offering stunning views of the Green Mountains. Following a picnic lunch, join your leaders for the short hike to the Falls of Lana.
Distance: 25, 32, 50 miles. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Waybury Inn

Day 5:

Wind your way north through open farmland to Bristol and its classic town green. Follow the New Haven River toward its headwaters near the tiny hamlet of Lincoln, nestled along the river, beneath imposing Mount Abraham. Visit Danforth Pewter for beautiful pewter crafts that Fred Danforth and his family have been creating since 1755
Distance: 35, 49 miles. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Lodging: Waybury Inn

Day 6:

Leave the Green Mountains behind this morning as you venture back towards the lake on your final day’s ride. Pass through one of the country’s only two-lane covered bridges en route to the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm. Continue through Charlotte to Shelburne for a festive seasonal farewell picnic at Shelburne Orchards.
Distance: 38 miles, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

* 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

Vermont: Lake Champlain Valley Fall Foliage

Waybury Inn, East Middlebury
This quintessential Vermont country inn sits at the base of the Green Mountains across from a beautiful stream. For years, the Bob Newhart show featured the inn. Restaurant and cozy pub on site. (2 nights)

Middlebury Inn, Middlebury
The Middlebury Inn is a delightful year-round vacation destination where our guests can enjoy the historic hospitality, and walk, bike, or drive to their favorite attraction then return to the relaxing comfort of the Inn. Residing in the heart of the Champlain Valley, The Middlebury Inn has been welcoming guests since 1827. Overlooking the village greens of this Vermont shire town, the historic inn boasts of beautiful and elegantly restored guest rooms and suites graced with formal Victorian accents. (1 night)

Basin Harbor Resort and Boat Club, Vergennes

Historic hotel and small, classic lakeside resort in a stunning setting. Restaurant, pub, watersports, golf, and tennis. (2 nights) On Sep 24, 2023, the tour hotel will be Essex Inn, Essex, NY

Included:

• Full van support for a variety of route options
• Tour museums and famous historical sites
• Welcome reception
• 5 nights at luxurious and quintessentially Vermont inns and resorts
• All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
• All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
• Baggage transfers and porterage
• All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
• Complimentary use of Sojourn’s equipment and bikes: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105, Customized Fuji Absolute 2.0, limited number of E-bikes available.
• Daily route directions, maps, and a downloadable GPS

Not included:

• Flights to and from the tour
• Night before and after the tour
• Gratuity guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2025: $ 4135.- pp. single fee $ 935.-
You can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
Tour dates 2025:
14 Sep – 19 Sep
21 Sep – 26 Sep
28 Sep – 03 Oct
05 Oct – 10 Oct

Conditions

Deposit $500.- pp
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

A Typical Day
While each day of a vacation is unique, there are similar elements to every day. Your tour leaders will share the selection of options with you and guide you through the day. Choose to do it all or customize the options to your personal preference.

THE COOL OF THE MORNING
Rise in time for breakfast with your fellow travelers and tour leaders who will provide an overview of the day. They will share with you the highlights and mix in a bit of local lore. After breakfast you’ll have time to return to your room before you head off on your ride or to another activity.
Of course, if you choose, you can lounge by the pool, arrange for a massage, or a host of other things that suit your fancy.
A morning ride might take you through a historic covered bridge, past a series of cascading waterfalls, or through a spectacular stand of cacti. Stop to snap some photos, walk along the falls, or perhaps visit an old-time general store. Everyone is encouraged to ride and explore at their own pace.

LET THE SUN SHINE
Leaders will host a gourmet picnic lunch along the ride or you will have opportunity to eat at one of several venues in a small town along the way. Naturally, everyone’s favorite lunch is a spread put on by the tour leaders. It’s always fun to see what they’ve conjured up and enjoy some laughs with your fellow travelers over lunch.
You might visit a local museum or winery, or crank out a few extra miles if you choose. Devouring a good book in a lounge chair overlooking the pool or the sea is also a favored afternoon activity. From a short hike to a waterfall to a visit to small family farm, our bike tours offer much more than simply riding down the road.

AS THE MOON RISES
Join your fellow travelers for a delicious dinner either at the inn or a nearby restaurant. Evening meals seem to incite conversation and laughter over the day’s events. You’ll hear stories of spontaneous encounters and great feats such as milking a cow for the first time – you do what?
Meals are sumptuous three to five-course affairs and include options for vegetarians. Folks often go for a little evening walk or retire to the front porch of the inn before drifting off to their rooms. Enjoyable hours in the out of doors are the perfect prescription for a good night’s sleep