New Zealand/North Island Tour ^8NN

New Zealand

Ride with us from north to south, through thick forests and across steep gorges and experience spectacular volcanoes, hot springs, winding rivers and mesmerizing waterfalls from the saddle of an e-bike. This is a once in a lifetime e-bike adventure across New Zealand's north island

It is definitively worth traveling to the other side of the planet. “There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else” (Lonely Planet). New Zealand, also known as the “Paradise Down Under” or the “World‘s Most Beautiful End”, offers everything you could possibly look for in a holiday destination.

New Zealand features mountains and glaciers, wild coasts and long sandy beaches, rainforest and hot springs. It is home to an interesting indigenous culture and to the friendliest people you can imagine. It offers a wide range of crazy activities like heli-biking, bungee jumping, and jet boating. All this combined with fascinating cycling trails, well-educated guides and all the support needed for a relaxed holiday.

These two weeks will pass quickly, but the time should be enough to make you a die-hard New Zealand fan. You will long to come back, again and again, that's for sure!

Start/Finish:	Auckland / Wellington
Nearest airport:	Auckland / Wellington
Duration:	13 days vacation, 11 riding days
Route:	mostly side and country roads with little traffic, as well as cycling paths, both paved and unpaved; a few single tracks and technically demanding sections
Accommodations:	traditional New Zealand hotels, motels, as well as simple country inns
Rest day:	Timber Trail Ohakune
Highlights:	Auckland, Hobbiton Movie Set, Timber Trail , Pureora Forest Park , Wine region Martinborough, Wellington, Lake Taupo
Minimum number of participants:	8 Please note paragraph 6.4. a) of our terms and conditions of travel to find out more about the cancellation of tour through Edelweiss Bike Travel when the minimum number of participants is not reached - Terms and Conditions

Prices start at $ 8.140,-

per person

Included services

13 days vacation

11 day riding route

DAY 1:	Arrival in Auckland Your New Zealand e-bike trip begins with our Welcome Briefing in the hotel at 4 pm where you can meet the group.
DAY 2:	Auckland - Thames We leave Auckland. Our journey begins riding beside the Shorebird Coast, following historic railway lines and through towering gorges. The trail skirts around the Firth of Thames, offering expansive views of coastal wetlands and verdant farmland, with the volcanic Coromandel Ranges as a dramatic backdrop. Lunch at the Buggar café in Pipiroa fuels us for our afternoon’s ride to Thames, crossing the Waihou River along the way before being welcomed by the community arts trail, scattered with sculptures.
DAY 3:	Thames - Matamata The Hauraki Rail Trail, one of the country's most popular cycling routes, takes us further south. Highlights include the dramatic Karangahake Gorge, cascading Owharoa waterfall, fascinating gold mining sites and an amazing 1100-metre long railway tunnel. In the evening we will be in Middle-Earth, where the adventures of Frodo and Bilbo began. A cold beer at the Green Dragon Inn is well deserved.
DAY 4:	Matamata - Taupo Our day starts with a 1hr 15 min transfer to the start of our ride on the Waikato River Trail. Today we cycle south along the Waikato River. It is New Zealand's longest river and was once the highway for the Maoris and their Wakas. The Waikato is the destiny river of the Maori. On its banks and on its waters many bloody battles were fought during the land wars. Our destination is Rotorua. Here the earth's crust is thin and volcanic activity is omnipresent. Te Ara Ahi - the thermal tour or "path of fire", takes us through a landscape where the molten core of the earth bubbles just below the surface and occasionally breaks through. Everywhere it bubbles and steams. The smell of sulphur is omnipresent. We reach Lake Taupo in the evening. The volcano of the same name has had eruptions of apocalyptic dimensions. Today the lake lies peacefully embedded in a magnificent landscape. One should not miss the evening mood and a stroll along the lakeside promenade.
DAY 5:	Taupo - Timber Trail I hope everybody had a good night's sleep and is well rested. Today will be exciting. We ride the Timber Trail - 84 km through a fascinating landscape, over the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand and maybe we hear a Kokako. Lonely, exhausting, extraordinary! We will stay 2 nights in the purpose‐built lodge in the middle of the forest.
DAY 6:	Timber Trail
DAY 7:	Timber Trail - Ohakune This morning we head back into the native forest and cross over a tumbling gorge on one of the highest and longest swing bridges in the country, keeping a lookout for New Zealand’s native pigeon, the beautiful Kereru. We pass remnants of the region’s logging history, more swing bridges and the fascinating Ongarue Spiral and its rather spooky, old tunnel. The trail continues downhill to Ongarue. We then load the bikes and drive 90mins to Ohakune, a quaint ski village at the base of Mount Ruapehu, which will be our home for the next 2 nights.
DAY 8:	Ohakune We can spend a full day adventuring in the Whanganui National Park, exploring the River by jet boat and canoe through gorges and amongst native bush whilst learning from a local family about the history and culture of this unique part of New Zealand. A short hike to the famous „Bridge of Nowhere“ will stay in your mind. A shot transfer brings us back to our skiresort Ohakune.
DAY 9:	Ohakune - Manawatu Today we’re back on our bikes to complete our adventure in the Whanganui National Park. Major landmarks include Hiruharama (Jerusalem), a catholic church and convent and the restored Kawana Flour Mill, built in 1854. We finish our ride in the picturesque riverside city of Whanganui, one of the first cities to be founded in NZ. There will be time for a short explore of this arty city before we get transferred to Makoura Lodge in the Manawatu region.
DAY 10:	Manawatu - Masterton Next we head to the hidden gem of the Manawatu region to ride the Manawatu Cycleway through the beautiful Pohangina Valley, nestled beneath the Ruahine Range, into Ashhurst. A short transfer let the day end in Masterton.
DAY 11:	Masterton - Martinborough Our final ride is on the Wairarapa Cycleway on quiet roads to Martinborough, one of New Zealand’s winegrowing regions, particularly celebrated for its Pinot Noir wines. Staying on a vineyard there’ll be time to enjoy the local wine before our dinner at The Martinborough Hotel, described since 1882 as one of “the finest hostelries ever erected in any inland town in New Zealand”.
DAY 12:	Martinborough - Wellington Wellington, the capital of New Zealand is nearby. The riders can spend some time exploring the city. Don`t miss the lookout from Mt. Victoria over „Windy Welli“ – how the Kiwis call their capital. An absolutely must is the Te Papa Museum downtown. This decision is not easy – you either fly home or join us on the South Island adventure. It is up to you.
DAY 13:	Departure from Wellington Let’s enjoy our final breakfast together and have a safe trip home.