Centennial Historic Route 66

Day 1  Chicago                  
Welcome to Chicago. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel and meet your Tour Director before spending the rest of the day at leisure.                  

Day 2  Chicago                
This morning, enjoy a city tour to see some of the spectacular modern architecture and experience the shops and restaurants of the Magnificent Mile. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace, or to perhaps book an optional river cruise with your Tour Director.                  

Day 3  Chicago to St Louis                  
Bid farewell to Chicago as you start the iconic journey of Historic Route 66. This legendary road passes through a variety of pure Americana landscapes and takes in some of the country’s biggest, oldest and most peculiar sites along the way. Begin your journey travelling through cornfields and flat prairies en route to St Louis. Upon arrival, follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers, including Lewis and Clark, at Gateway Arch, the gate to the West and the nation’s tallest monument within a National Park.                  

Day 4  St Louis to Springfield    
Continue through the Ozark Highlands of Southern Missouri, stopping en route at the Meramec Caverns, a natural limestone cave with unique and colourful formations.  

Day 5  Springfield to Oklahoma City          
This morning, cut through a corner of Kansas on your way to Oklahoma City and see some of the beloved and historic landmarks along the way including the famous blue whale statue in Catoosa. Enjoy a brief orientation tour upon arrival in Oklahoma City.

Day 6  Oklahoma City to Amarillo      
Continue to Amarillo, located in the flat plains of the Texas Panhandle. Along the way, stop at the Oklahoma Route 66 museum in Clinton where you can experience six decades of Route 66 history. Stop in Shamrock, Texas, known for the once beloved Conoco Tower Station and U-drop café, and the restored Phillips 66 gas station for a photo stop in Mclean.  

Day 7  Amarillo to Albuquerque      
This morning, visit the world-famous Cadillac Ranch and experience a unique display of art featuring a row of 10 colourfully painted Cadillac cars. Afterwards, continue westbound and arrive in the neighbouring state of New Mexico to reach Albuquerque. This city is not only the state’s largest, but also known as the hub of technology, the arts, and the annual International Balloon Festival.    

Day 8  Albuquerque to Holbrook                
Today, travel north to Gallup. Having barely changed since Route 66’s heydays, this city serves up a slice of Americana rarely seen nowadays, along with one of the best strips of Neon signs you will see anywhere on the old route. When leaving Gallup, you will enter the nation’s largest Native American Reservation, home to the Navajo Nation. This afternoon, opt to experience the wonders of Canyon de Chelley, where ancestral pueblos, pictographs of the ancient past will introduce you to Navajo culture.    

Day 9  Holbrook to Page      
Leave Holbrook and continue through the Navajo Nation to Monument Valley. Experience the beauty of this region through a variety of Monuments, Mesas and Buttes which have been used as a backdrop for many western movies. Perhaps opt to get up close to some of the monuments on a Monument Valley Jeep Tour.  

Day 10  Page to Williams      
This morning, before leaving the small town of Page, perhaps join an optional excursion to Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is the American Southwest’s most visited canyon for its surreal sandstone walls and unique formations, making it an experience not to be missed. In the late afternoon, arrive at the historic Route 66 community of Williams and take an unforgettable train ride through the incredible Grand Canyon National Park.  

Day 11  Williams to Las Vegas      
Depart Williams to continue via route 40 to Route 66 and visit the historic town of Seligman, Arizona. Resume the journey via Kingman to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, where mega resort hotels dot the famous Strip. Join an optional orientation tour of the city to discover the entertainment capital of the world.

Day 12  Las Vegas              
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, you could join an excursion to visit the famous Hoover Dam before a dinner and show in the evening.                

Day 13  Las Vegas to Los Angeles            
This morning, you will stop at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign before continuing through the Mojave Desert into California on the way to Barstow/Yermo. Upon arrival, stop at the Calico Ghost Town where you can relive the days of the Old West. Arrive in Los Angeles in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 14  Los Angeles            
Experience a full day city tour, visiting some of the famed neighbourhoods including downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and Santa Monica. Here, relax with time at the beach and wander to the Santa Monica Pier with the famous “End of Route 66” sign. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers before your tour comes to an end.                  

Day 15  Los Angeles            
Today, make your way to the airport for your onward travels.