6 Days / 5 Nights | Rating: Easy/Intermediate | Start / End: Jackson, MS
- E-bikes Available
This unique adventure begins and ends in Jackson, the state capital of Mississippi. The ride is centered around the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 440 mile route steeped in history that is now part of the National Park System. A cyclist’s paradise, the route is a well-paved limited access highway with very little traffic, no cross traffic or traffic lights, and no commercial traffic. There are many historic sites along the route to pause at and catch your breath and we’ll also enjoy trips off the Trace to nearby Vicksburg, one of the most historic and pivotal locations of the Civil War, with stopovers adjacent to the Trace in Natchez and Jackson. Along the way you’ll enjoy true “southern hospitality” from the people of Mississippi!
Travel the Sojourn Style
EXPERIENCES, NOT BIKE TOURS
While we love our cycling, it makes up only one facet of what a true Sojourn trip entails. We believe in immersing ourselves in local cultures and discovering the hidden gems of the world.
REGIONAL PLANNING SPECIALISTS
From Vietnam to France to Glacier National Park, we are committed to offering exceptional trips in regions with which we are deeply familiar. We personally design and operate each of our trips.
PREMIER ACCOMMODATIONS
We carefully select from some of World’s renowned hotels. From highly reviewed and acclaimed Hotel de Londres in San Sebastian, Spain or the Reverie Saigon, Vietnam, one of the leading hotels in the World.
UNWAVERING ATTENTION TO SERVICE
Our commitment to provide you with unwavering service starts from the moment you first interact with the Sojourn team. We believe the little details matter and make the Sojourn vacation a life-list worthy experience for our guests.
PROFESSIONAL TRIP LEADERS
Gracious, engaging, and intelligent, our expert team of tour leaders consist of professionals from all walks of life and make exceptional travel companions. Always a step ahead, they are adept at everything from spinning wrenches to whipping up fabulous picnic lunches.
YOUR VACATION, YOUR PACE
We believe that at the end of the day, you are at the helm of your own vacation. We offer an array of day-to-day options to enable you to approach each day at your own pace.
Day 1
Jackson, MS to Natchez, MS –Meet your leaders and group at 8:45am at your Flowood area hotel or 9am at the Jackson, MS airport and take a two-hour shuttle ride to Natchez where we’ll begin our adventure. Our arrival point in Natchez will be the famous Stanton House, one of the most magnificent antebellum mansions to survive in the southeastern United States. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a Sunday brunch and a tour of the mansion. Then, after a short safety briefing and bike fitting session, we’ll do a warm up ride around the town of Natchez that passes many of Natchez’s classic antebellum mansions (Rosalie, Magnolia Hall, Dunleith, Auburn, Melrose, Longwood, Monmouth, & Stanton Hall), the Natchez National Historical Park Visitor Center, the Southern terminus of the Trace, and the Natchez Cemetery.
GOOD TO KNOW
Every Sojourn trip is different in their own unique ways. We want you to be aware of them so that you can only have the best experiences possible. Please know, whichever trip you choose we are committed to make it the trip of a lifetime!
Antebellum refers to “ante” – before, and “bellum” – war, and refers to a style of architecture dating back to the time period between the original settlements of Mississippi and the Civil War. This style of architecture invokes many classic features including large columns, shaded porches running the length of the homes, large entries with open foyers and sweeping stairways, and grand ballrooms and dining areas. Many of these mansions also contain extravagant gardens. Most of these mansions are open to the public and you should plan to pause for a tour of at least one more (we recommend Longwood or Rosalie). Tonight, our group will gather for a welcome reception and dinner at the Pilot House.
LODGING:
Guest House Mansion, Natchez, MS
601-445-6000
www.guesthouseinnatchez.com/
CYCLING OPTIONS:
16 Miles
Day 2
Up the Trace to Mt. Locust – Departing from our hotel, it’s a short ride through Natchez to the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway (mile marker 0). Once on the Trace we’ll follow the gently graded and scenic and winding route North for 10 miles. Leaving the Trace takes us to Emerald Mound, the second largest ceremonial mound in the nation built by the Natchez Indians between 1300 and 1600AD. The ride then continues on the first leg of a loop through a lightly travelled countryside lined with historic antebellum mansions, pausing at the beautifully restored Cedars Plantation for lunch in the rural town of Church Hill.
KEEPING YOU POSTED
We’re constantly looking for ways to enhance our trips. We’ll do our best to notify you of any changes in this itinerary. Other changes may be communicated to you on the trip by your leaders.
After lunch, the route will rejoin the Trace heading back south towards Natchez, passing through Mt. Locust, the only surviving of the original 50 “stands” established in the 1800’s to host travelers transiting along the original Trace. Passing by the exit for Emerald Mound again completes this loop and the route backtracks the final 10 miles to the southern terminus of the Trace and back to the Guesthouse Manor. Dinner is on your own tonight in Natchez and your leaders will provide you with several recommendations within walking distance of the Guest House Mansion.
LODGING:
Guest House Mansion, Natchez, MS
601-445-6000
www.guesthouseinnatchez.com
CYCLING OPTIONS:
21 Miles
31 Miles
37 Miles
50 Miles
Day 3
Natchez to Vicksburg (Windsor Ruins) – The day begins with a 50-minute shuttle ride North to Windsor Ruins, a historic site featuring the remains of one of the largest antebellum mansions ever build in Mississippi. We’ll head north on a quiet back road to Port Gibson, the 3rd oldest settlement in Mississippi. Many of Port Gibson’s historic buildings survived the Civil War because Grant believed the city was “too beautiful to burn.”
MULTIPLE ROUTE OPTIONS
Itching for that EPIC (Extra Pedal if Crazy) ride? No problem, we’ll show you our favorite hills. Looking for more downtime? Your trip leaders will tell you the best days to take a break. All Sojourn tours have multiple route options to accommodate your riding skill or desires!
Re-joining the Trace in Port Gibson we continue North with a brief stop at the “Sunken Trace”, a portion of the original trace route so heavily travelled its eroded lower than its surrounding woods. The route then continues up the Trace to a picnic lunch hosted by your leaders at Rocky Springs, the remnants of a once thriving community. Here you can pause and see the ruins that remain of the settlement, and read up on the unfortunate plight that ended what was once a thriving community of 2,600 people. For riders that would like to continue after lunch the route will continue another five miles up the Trace, and then we’ll head west back to the Mississippi River and Vicksburg via the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), a designated bicycle route network that parallels the length of the Mississippi River from the mouth of the river in Venice, Louisiana to the headwaters at Lake Itasca in Minnesota. Vicksburg will be our home for the next two nights.
LODGING:
Corners Mansion Inn, Vicksburg, MS
601-636-7421
www.thecorners.com
CYCLING OPTIONS:
16 Miles
35 Miles
58 Miles
Day 4
Vicksburg National Military Park – After breakfast, the owner of the Corners Mansion will give a tour of her property, and then we’re off to enjoy a guided tour of the historic Vicksburg National Military Park provided by a local historian. Vicksburg was one of the key and decisive turning points in the Civil War, and our expert historian tour guide will re-tell the incredible story of the events in 1862 and 1863 that lead up to the confederacy surrendering Vicksburg to General Grant, a pivotal moment leading up to the end of the Civil War. Our route will take us back through town on the MRT to the Park and then our first stop is the Visitors Center, where we’ll see a video that will orient you for the rest of the day. We’ll meet our tour guide here and then embark on the route through the park, with stops along the way to see the sights and hear the story from our guide. This is the hilliest ride of the trip; however, there will be many stopping points to catch your breath! The guided tour will last around three hours, and then we’ll arrive at the USS Cairo (a recovered sunken ironclad boat) Museum where your leaders will host a picnic lunch.
After lunch, the route continues through the park, completing the “north loop” of the park. Here you have the option to also ride the “south loop”, or head back to the Corners Mansion. For those who are interested, there is a spa within walking distance of the Inn. If you are so inclined, please inquire and reserve this in advance, as they are often booked. This evening your leaders will host a wine and beer reception at the Corners Mansion and then you are free to explore Vicksburg on your own. Your leaders will provide you with several dining recommendations within walking distance.
LODGING:
Corners Mansion Inn, Vicksburg, MS
601-636-7421
www.thecorners.com
CYCLING OPTIONS:
11 Miles
19 Miles
22 Miles
Day 5
Vicksburg to Jackson – Leaving the hills of Vicksburg behind us, our ride goes from urban to suburban to very rural farmland, passing through some old growth and heavily forested areas as well as open farmland. This is truly rural Mississippi! At 30 miles we’ll rejoin the Trace Parkway one last time for 10 miles and exit at the historic town of Clinton, a suburb of Jackson and home of Mississippi State College. Lunch will be at the “303 Jefferson” restaurant in the center of the historic red bricked downtown. After lunch the route will transit a series of low traffic suburban roads before the landscape turns urban as we pass Jackson State University. For our final encore, we’ll ride down Capitol Street through the heart of downtown Jackson, past the Governor’s Mansion and Old Capitol building before arriving at our final overnight stop the Old Capitol Inn. After freshening up, join your fellow travelers for a drink on the hotels rooftop lounge before we head out for a final farewell hosted group dinner.
LODGING:
Old Capitol Inn, Jackson, MS
601-359-9000
www.oldcapitolinn.com
CYCLING OPTIONS:
12 Miles
28 Miles
48 Miles
58 Miles
Day 6
Jackson & Depart for the Airport – Our hotel is conveniently located one block away from the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Old Capitol Museum, and a short walk from the new Mississippi State Capitol. The morning if free and open for you to explore, but these all come highly recommended. Breakfast will be available starting at 7AM and we will leave for the airport after checkout at noon.
Tour Accommodations
Guest House Mansion Inn
This historic mansion was originally built in 1840 by the grandson of Natchez’s first mayor and prides itself on its deep rooted history and antebellum architecture, featuring an elegant interior, a French Quarter Style Courtyard, and expansive porches. (2 Nights)
401 Frankling Street
Natchez, MS 39120
www.guesthouseinnatchez.com
601.445.6000
The Corners Mansion Inn
Located in Vicksburg’s Historic Garden District, The Corners is a true Southern Mansion with original parterre gardens and views of the Mississippi River. The Mansion enjoys stunning sunset views from the galleries and features porch swings on the front porch. (2 Nights)
601 Klein Street
Vicksburg, MS, 39180
www.thecorners.com
601.636.7421
Old Capitol Inn
This boutique hotel dates back to 1952 and is within walking distance of the Mississippi State Capitol building and the Old Capitol Museum, from which it takes its name. The inn features a rooftop garden with stunning views of the city and evening wine-andcheese receptions. (1 Night)
226 N State St
Jackson, MS 39201
www.oldcapitolinn.com
601.359.9000
Travel & Tour Quick Facts
| TOUR START | 8:45AM - Group pickup at Hampton Inn Jackson/Flowood, then 9:00 AM – Group pick-up at the Jackson, MS airport. |
| TOUR CONCLUSION | 1:00 PM - Shuttle to Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN), can fly out earlier if own transportation is arranged |
| TRAVEL TO/FROM TOUR | Fly into Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN). Parking available at the airport. |
| DAYS/NIGHTS | 6 Days / 5 Nights |
| INCLUDED MEALS | All breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners. |
| ACTIVITIES | Cycling. |
| RATING | Easy/Intermediate – This tour offers certain days or sections of routes that have gently rolling hills with some longer grades. However, those instances will be few and far between and the overall trip is at an easy level for cyclists who don’t cycle often. Van options are available for those tougher segments if you choose to opt out, with routes averaging 10-60 miles per day |
What’s Included?
| EQUIPMENT | Road or hybrid bike, helmet, rear light, seat bag for road bike or rack bag for hybrid, map case, water bottle, and jersey. Bring clipless pedals, seat, or helmet for a more personalized fit. |
| VAN SUPPORT | Rides supported by a Sojourn van as well as a tour leader on a bicycle. |
| TOUR LEADERS | Two experienced tour leaders guide each trip from start to finish. |
| RIDE NOURISHMENT | A selection of snacks and refreshments are supplied throughout all rides. |
| RIDE INFORMATION | Detailed route directions, maps, downloadable GPS routes, and a daily briefing are provided. |
| OFFICE SUPPORT | At your service 9:00am – 6:00pm EST, Monday – Friday. 802-425-4771 |
| DETAILED INFORMATION | A full complement of detailed trip and travel information will be provided upon confirmation of reservation. |
| E-BIKES & TANDEMS | Limited Electric Assist Bikes are available on all tours. Tandems are also available on on our US and Canada tours for an additional fee. Call us at 1-802-425-4771 for details |
Weather
| Jackson, MS | Apr | Oct | Nov |
|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 78° | 79° | 68° |
| Low °F | 56° | 56° | 45° |
| Precip. Inches | 4.8 | 3.1 | 4.3 |
WE’RE HAPPY TO CHAT!
Call: 802.425.4771
Write: info@gosojourn.com
Visit: GoSojourn.com
PRICES & SCHEDULE
All prices and schedules are subject to change at any time.
Click HERE to view the latest departure dates & prices.
