Phone NZ:
(+64) 4 974 5214
Mobile NZ: (+64) 21 404 089
Phone Samoa: (+685) 45991
Mobile Samoa: (+685) 762 1530
Skype: rossbidmead
Email: [email protected]
www.outdoorsamoa.com
Bike Tour of Samoa prepared for June Express
Number on tour:
Start Date:
6-12
Saturday, 10 June 2017
End Date:
Bikes Hired:
Saturday, 17 June 2017
From 11/06/2017 to 17/06/2017
Savaii Full support van included - The van will transport gear and support the riders, giving lifts if required.
Flights from New Zealand Included.
Trip Overview
Fly in on Saturday and spend the afternoon by the pool. On Sunday begin your cycle tour around
Savaii. Each night is at a different beach resort (except 2 nights in Satuiatua) and generally you will cycle in
the morning and swim, snorkel or relax on the beach in the afternoon. There is so much to see that you will
seldom ride for even an hour without stopping to chat or investigate the blowholes, waterfalls, village
crafts (mat and Tapa cloth making in particular), lava fields, volcanic cones, villages and remarkable
beaches. Even on riding days, you will generally have the afternoons free to read, snorkel, explore or just
enjoy a drink on the beach outside your fale or motel unit.
Fly back to NZ on Saturday afternoon, in time to get back to most NZ cities that night.
Dates and times are local time - Samoa is 1 hour ahead of New Zealand.
Schedule
Saturday, 10 June 2017
Arrival Day
Step out of the plane onto the Treasured Isles at 1pm and enjoy the airport welcome. You will be met by
an Outdoor Samoa representative (he will be standing just outside of arrivals. Look out for him as you exit
the customs area, he will have a sign with your name on it), and transferred to Le Vasa Resort (15 minute
journey).
Transport - Airport to Le Vasa
Le Vasa Hotel – Lagoon Water Fale
B
Sunday, 11 June 2017
Le Vasa - Ferry to Savaii - To Lano (22 km ride)
Transfer to our base, get fitted to your bikes and ride the 3kms to the ferry while your gear is transferred.
The crossing takes 70 minutes and you will be met by your support drivers for the tour of Savaii.
Ride the 19kms to Lano stopping frequently in the villages and possibly to swim in the fresh water pool at
the John Williams Memorial.
The fales at Lano are on the water's edge and just perfect for an early morning dip. The beach is a great
place to learn to snorkel.
Transfer Gear - Airport Lodge to ferry (OS)
Ferry (ticket not included)
Lauiula Beach Fales
D, B
Monday, 12 June 2017
Lano to Manase (33 km)
A 35km mostly flat ride with lots of stops for lava fields and interesting villages. Check out the LMS church
with a metre of lava across the floor and the village of Mauga, built around a crater. Ride 32kms to Manase
on near flat roads. It pays to start early as there is lots to see and it is best to be finished riding by lunch.
Attractions include mat making at Samalaeulu, the LMS church with a metre of lava across the floor and
Mauga, a village built around the rim of a volcanic crater.
Vacations Standard Fales
D, B
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Manase to Vaisala (40 km)
Most people find that today is the hardest as you travel inland away from the cool breeze and there are
quite a number of undulations and some significant climbing. There are options to explore the lava tubes
to watch and hear the swiftlets echo-locate.
After an exhilarating ride down to Asau there is a great place to stop for a swim at the freshwater pools at
the bottom of the hill. It’s just a short distance from here to Vaisala Hotel. Keep your eyes out for the hotel
sign and driveway which can be easy to miss.
The Vaisala Hotel is an old establishment with a Somerset Maugham feel. Set on another stunning beach
beside a sheltered lagoon it provides access to remarkable coral gardens. Swim out or borrow an outrigger
and explore.
NOTE: You may wish to have stocked up on lunch supplies or snacks as this is a long day with no real
options for lunch along the way. Vaisala has a lunch menu available.
Vaisala Hotel - Dinner/Bed/Breakfast (Double) *
D, B
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
Vaisala Day
There is good snorkelling throughout the lagoon, but it was recently damaged by coral bleaching. Much can
be explored by just swimming out, but hire an outrigger or borrow the kayaks to explore further. Consider
lunch at the excellent restaurant at Vai-i-Moana which is 3 km by bike or boat (motor boat sometimes
available).
Vaisala Hotel - Dinner/Bed/Breakfast (Double) *
D, B
Thursday, 15 June 2017
Falealupo to Satuiatua (38 km)
The ride begins with a moderate hill to re-join the main road and then undulates with a few reasonable
hills. Lovers leap is a look into the bay from the side of the road from the top of a cliff to hopefully spot a
turtle & a shark. Satuiatua Resort is situated under the cool and shady giant banyan trees on lovely
Satuiatua Beach. There is a nice a la-carte lunch menu available.
At any time above mid-tide drift snorkel the lagoon from the Western end of the beach to at least the
resort to see large schools of fish.
Satuiatua Beach Fales
D, B
Friday, 16 June 2017
Satuiatua to Lusia's (55 km)
This is the longest riding day at 55kms however there are lots of attractions to rest at. Stop at the
blowholes which seem to huff in all weather and seas. The waterfalls at Mu Pagoa drop directly into the
sea - one of the few places in the world where this happens and are well worth a stop. Visit the Afu Aau
falls for a refreshing swim and if you dare jump from the rocks into the cool freshwater pool.
Lusia's is set on the lagoon. Enjoy a pleasant snorkel in the lagoon where the cold freshwater sits on top of
the warm sea water. The water becomes opaque when you mix the warm & cold waters. The freshwater
pool is refreshing and breakfast on the jetty is always a pleasant way to start the day.
Lusia's Lagoon Resort - Lagoon View - Double/Twin *
B
Saturday, 17 June 2017
Lusia's to Ferry (1 km)
Ensure driver is aware of planned ferry departure time. Please call Outdoor Samoa on 45991 to confirm
ferry arrival time for gear pick up.
Bike the short distance to the ferry for the crossing back to Upolu
transfer gear from Ferry to Outdoor Base
Flight departs at 2:50pm
Transfer Outdoor Base to Airport (OS)
* Indicates motel level accommodation - see notes below.
Accommodation Notes
The fale resorts can be best thought of as camping style. They have good, waterproof roofs, solid wooden
floors, matting sides, mosquito nets, bedding, pillows and mattresses. Bathrooms are shared and dining is
usually from a limited or set menu. Allocation of specific fales for singles/doubles cannot always be
guaranteed within your group during busy periods due to limitations with fale resort booking practices.
The fale locations and the hospitality often make these the magic nights of the trip.
Motel standard accommodation provides motel/hotel like rooms with ensuite facilities.
Cultural Sensitivity – Dress Code
As Samoa is a very traditional country and the people very religious we recommend a modest dress code
when cycling through villages. Tight lycra shorts should be covered with baggy shorts (or even a skirt for
women). When kayaking it is appropriate for women to have a sarong/lava lava handy to cover up when
landing. Respect is especially important on Sunday as it is traditionally a day of rest in Samoa.
Your experience and interaction with the Samoan people and their culture will be enhanced by showing
this appropriate cultural sensitivity.
Pricing
Price Per Person (NZD): $1,760
Price Inclusions:
Airport transfer on arrival and departure
Accommodation for nights shown (4 Motel nights, 3 Fale nights)
Meals as shown (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner) 7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
Bike hire as detailed
Savaii Support Van
Return Airfares from Auckland (for Wellington or Christchurch add $160)
Price Exclusions:
Savaii -Ferry costs (22 tala per person including bike)
Meals except where shown
Addition recommended tours
Customary fees (Allow $40 pp)