North Island Volcanic Plateau Loop

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 Ohakuri Dam 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 pass the Waikite Valley Hot Pools and take a short stroll to the largest single source of naturally boiling water in New Zealand. From there we'll ride through to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 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 : 50km, 752m

Meals:  D

Today’s ride takes in Rotorua’s unique thermal waterfront, offering snapshots of the history of Maori and tourism in the area. Leaving the city’s thermal attractions we climb around the back of Mount Ngongotaha, a volcanic dome overlooking the city of Rotorua. Following the well named 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! Loading up, we head around the back of Lake Rotorua and head over to its beautiful neighbour - 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: 41km, +577m

Meals:  B,L,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 on the outskirts of 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 : Okoroire to Cambridge : 50km, +626m

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. Another optional activity is the delightful Ruakuri bush walk, a 1km loop with a forested gorge, natural sculpted cliffs and low limestone arches. Dinner and our accommodation both in the small village of Waitomo tonight. Cycle Options : Standard : Rotoorangi to Otorohonga : 54km, +476m Avid : Rotororangi to Waitomo 68km, +604m

Meals:  B,D

We start the day with one of the best short walks in New Zealand! Discover a forested gorge, natural sculpted cliffs and low limestone arches on this spectacular 1km loop walk before embarking on today's ride through equally spectacular geography. The 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, +811m Avid : Waitomo to Piopio : 68km, +1218m

Meals:  B,L,D

Our final ride is a very fitting end to a tour of back country North Island New Zealand. After a 1.5hr van 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 : 50km, +874m

Meals:  B