3
Moderate
Activities
  • 6 day road cycle
Accommodation
  • 5 nights hotel/motel
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 2 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days$4245NZD

Trip Code: RTW

Trip highlights


  • Enjoy the geothermal attractions of Rotorua and Taupo
  • Experience Maori culture with the locals
  • Visit Waimangu, the world's youngest geothermal valley
  • Ride through remote inland farming country hardly anyone gets to see
  • Explore Lake Rotoiti on the unique new boat 'The Airstream Project'
  • Options to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo's brightest Glowworm Cave
  • Enjoy great hospitality from the locals of back country NZ
  • Pedal through Hobbit country, a limestone landscape of remarkable, natural formations
  • Enjoy a well earned soak in the natural hotpools in the Wairakei geothermal valley.
  • Visit Huka Falls, the largest falls on the Waikato River.

On this trip around Central North Island, you will see geysers spray steam from the earth in Rotorua, witness mud pools bubbling away, soak in natural hot pools near Taupo, experience Maori Culture with the locals and enjoy a boat ride beneath a galaxy of glowworms in the Waitomo Caves. There will also be the option to visit Hobbiton Movie Set, a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies

Our first ride is through the rural heart of New Zealand's North Island, specifically the beautiful Waikite Valley, leading us to the world's youngest geothermal valley, Waimangu, where we'll enjoy a self guided walk around this bubbling, steaming, colourful wonderland.

2 nights in Rotorua allows us time to experience rich Maori culture, otherworldly geothermal landscapes, a unique boat excursion on Lake Rotoiti and some great riding among lush forests and sparkling lakes.

From Rotorua we head West through the Waikato region's rich, rolling farmland first to the pretty rural town of Cambridge, and the following day to Waitomo, famous for its labyrinth of limestone caves, underground galleries and grottos. Some of these are illuminated by millions of tiny glowworms that are unique to New Zealand. For those keen to experience Waitomo's brightest Glowworm Cave, we'll head a little off the beaten track to explore the Cave by boat on a rugged and scenic limestone studded farm.

The backdrop for our next ride is the natural limestone landscape of this area, with gorges, valleys and rugged hills delivering a captivating natural environment. Our final night will be in the heart of the region, staying in a thriving rural community and hosted by locals.

We make our way back to Taupo via our final ride, continuing with the theme of quiet rural, back country roads finishing at the Wairakei Terraces, nestled in the Wairakei geothermal valley, for a well-earned soak in the thermal waters. A visit to the nearby Huka Falls is our final trip highlight, the largest falls on the Waikato River and the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand.


Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand and your North Island Adventure! Hopefully you should all have arrived yesterday and be ready to ride this morning, with any personal bikes built up and gear prepared. Meeting at a central location in Taupo, we'll start with an introduction and short tour briefing before loading up and heading off to Atiamuri, a small village on the banks of the Waikato River. After a bike fitting and safety briefing, it's time for our first ride heading through the Waikite Valley with panoramic views of rolling hills, farmland and forested areas. We'll enjoy lunch at the Waikite Valley Hot Pools and take a short stroll to the largest single source of naturally boiling water in New Zealand. After lunch, we'll ride through to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a spectacular geothermal area known for its rich volcanic history and unique thermal terrain. After exploring this landscape of colorful terraces, hot springs, boiling mud pools and fumaroles it's just a short drive to our accommodation in Rotorua. Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, the city is known for this geothermal activity and stunning volcanic lakes as well as showcasing our fascinating Maori culture Cycle : 63km, 1008m

Meals:  D

Today we ride around the back of Mount Ngongotaha, a volcanic dome overlooking the city of Rotorua. Following the Paradise Valley through farmland and native forests we head inland, climbing upto the Mamaku plateau. Here are natural 'statues' called Tors, unusual rock formations formed by volcanic eruptions, that are strikingly different and look like nature’s been busy carving and making an artistic statement across the Plateau! Dropping down, our route heads around the less visited Northern side of Lake Rotorua, the North Island's second largest lake formed when an underlying magma chamber collapsed after a massive volcanic eruption around 200,000 years ago. We finish our ride on the shores of Lake Rotoiti. Surrounded by lush native bush, it also features glow worm caves and natural thermal springs and is best explored by boat, our afternoon's excursion. But not on just any boat! The Airstream Project is a unique pontoon vessel with electric drive, built by locals - the shape, form and finish draws its inspiration from classic 1960’s Airstream trailers, second world war aircraft and Italian speed boats! Tonight, a Maori home hosted dinner is a special opportunity to really connect with the indigenous people of New Zealand. Cycle Options : Standard : Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti: 51km, +695m Avid : Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti 76km, +778m

Meals:  B,D

Today starts with a 40 min drive to the start of our ride, immersed in the gently rolling hills of the Waikato region, chosen by Peter Jackson, film director of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as the home of Hobbiton! We'll finish the ride in Cambridge, known as "The Town of Trees & Champions", memorable for its leafy streets, heritage buildings, antique shops and thoroughbred horse studs. This afternoon is free to explore this delightful rural town or you could choose to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set. Here you'll be guided on 2.5hr journey through the unequivocal beauty of the Shire farmland, around the Movie Set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. (early bookings essential). Dinner at your leisure tonight with plenty of options to choose from. Cycle : Okoriere to Cambridge : 67km, +750m

Meals:  B

Today's ride takes us through the bucolic landscape of South Waikato, a region known for its highly productive dairy farming. We ride through Otorohanga, once a traditional Maori village and today a service town for the surrounding dairy-farming district. From there the route unveils the raw beauty of the Waitomo Valley – gently rolling and bush clad hills, lush greenery, and the Waitomo Stream weaving through the terrain like a silver thread. The Valley emerges into the village of Waitomo, known for its extensive underground cave systems and thousands of glow-worms hanging from the cave walls. For those keen to experience Waitomo's brightest Glowworm Cave, a significant cave of New Zealand and a national treasure once used by Sir David Attenborough and the BBC, we'll head off the beaten track to visit the Cave on a limestone-studded farm owned by a local family. Dinner and our accommodation both in the small village of Waitomo tonight. Cycle Options : Standard : Cambridge to Otorohonga : 72km, +604m Avid : Cambridge to Waitomo 86km, +738m

Meals:  B,D

Today's ride offers an extraordinary blend of scenery alive with sounds and sights, cinematic wonders, and culinary delights. You’ll pedal through lush countryside surrounded by rolling hills, limestone features, native forests and serene farmlands, each turn revealing a new vista as equally stunning as the last. On a clear day you’ll see the Central North Island volcanoes including the North Island’s highest mountain, Mt Ruapehu and towards the West, the majestic Mt Taranaki standing alone. We finish at the charming Fat Pigeon Cafe in the quaint village of Piopio, where we'll also be staying and dining at another local gem, the Fat Owl! Cycle Options : Standard : Waitomo to Piopio : 41km, +696m Avid : Waitomo to Piopio : 65km, +1048m

Meals:  B,L,D

Our final ride is a very fitting end to a tour of back country North Island New Zealand. After a short transfer, we start the ride from the Whakamaru Domain and travel on quiet secondary roads through typical rural North Island, New Zealand. Our destination is the Wairakei Terraces hot pools - a geothermal wonderland with healing and curing properties - perfect for tired legs! Significant natural thermal springs, mud and silica waters found in geothermal areas, have long been used by Maori for bathing, healing and wellness. Specific sites were often located in beautiful landscapes, at the junction of rivers and streams, on the shores of pristine lakes or, like this wonderland, below magnificent silica terraces. After a relaxing soak, our tour ends with a short walk to view the Huka Falls, where you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power with more than 220,000 litres of water per sec barreling over an 11meter high waterfall! This is New Zealand's most visited attraction for good reason. Returning to where it all began, we'll drop off late afternoon at a central location in Taupo. If you're flying to your next destination, please book flights departing no earlier than 6pm today. Cycle : Whakamaru to Wairakei : 65km, +1043m

Meals:  B,L


Inclusions

  • 5 nights hotel/motel accommodation, based on twin share
  • 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Entry to Waimangu Volcanic Valley
  • Entry to Wairakei Thermal Hotpools
  • Boat excursion on Lake Rotoiti on the unique Airstream Project
  • Locally hosted traditional Maori dinner
  • 2 Adventure South professional guides
  • Comfortable support vehicle throughout
  • Speciality bike trailer to carry bikes and luggage
  • Snacks, fruit and water while cycling
  • Department of Conservation and National Park Fees
  • Pick up and drop off from/to Taupo central location

  • Domestic airfares and taxes
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast and water while cycling
  • Road/Gravel bike - available to hire
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel insurance

About Your Leader

Our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. You will have two experienced members of our guiding team. You’ll know you’re in safe hands as all of our guides are certified in first aid and CPR and many of them are trained bike mechanics. They come from all walks of life but our guides have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you.


Accommodation


Bike information


Trail Surface


Grading

Moderate  
3

The trip is graded moderate. You will need a good level of fitness and we suggest 2-3 hours of cycling three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. You will need to be able to cycle 50-60km each day for the Standard itinerary, and as much as 90km on the longest day of the Avid itinerary. The on-road sections will have low to moderate traffic levels on back-roads. Riders need to be confident riding with some traffic. Ebikes are suitable if ridden appropriately and battery life is managed (i.e. not on turbo the whole time, and in the correct chain ring for climbing hills). The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.


Departure dates


Notes

HS
Holiday Season

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$4245NZD

Options & Supplements*
  • Road Bike RentalNZD$300
  • Ebike RentalNZD$600
  • Single SupplementNZD$795
*Prices listed are per person

Essential information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed North Island Central Plateau Loop trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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