Cycle Samoa

Cycle Samoa

Discover Samoa by bike on a Pacific Island cultural, cycling and beach holiday!

Thu 13 June Apia
Arrive Apia today, where you will be met and transferred to accommodation. Le Vasa is a small resort set in
peaceful gardens with a lovely pool to cool off in and a great bar and restaurant. Welcome dinner is
included tonight.
Accommodation in ocean view bungalow with ensuite!

Fri 14 June Le Vasa
Free day to relax and acclimatise to "Samoa time" - lounge around the pool, laze under palm trees, stroll
through the gardens, doze in hammocks. For the more energetic there are kayaks for use. Or you might like
to take a quick boat ride across to Manono Island. There are no cars or dogs on this island and it takes
approx. 1-2 hours to walk around the perimeter. Later today we have a bike fitting and comprehensive
briefing of our upcoming cycle tour.

Sat 15 June Mulifanua - Salelologa - Lano Cycling: 21 km
Up early and on our bikes for a short ride to Mulifanua??wharf. The ferry across the Apolima Strait takes just
over an hour to Salelologa where we will be met by our support driver. Time to visit the markets for some
snacks before getting on the road and riding through numerous villages located close to the lagoon. Along
the way we'll stop for a refreshing swim and snack. Continue riding alongside the lagoon to Lano and our
accommodation for the night. With a shallow sandy lagoon and crops of coral, this is the ideal place to learn
to snorkel or brush up on your snorkelling techniques ready for the week ahead.

Sun 16 June Lano to Fagamalo Cycling 30kms/100m climb
After breakfast, we set off riding alongside the lagoon before heading inland with gentle undulations
through regenerating forest. Sunday is a nice quiet day to cycle, and you'll often hear beautiful singing
coming from the packed churches. We'll stop to explore the village of Mauga which is built around a crater
and the LMS church with a metre of lava across the floor at Saleaula. Our destination is the small village of
Fagamalo where our boutique resort sits on a gorgeous sandy beach and has a fantastic bar/restaurant right
on the beachfront.


Mon 17 June Rest day
Day at leisure. Cool off in the clear waters and relax on the private beach. The snorkelling is good and this is
an area where you can often see turtles.

Tue 18 June Fagamalo - Asau Cycling: 38kms / 500m climb
Early this morning we'll start riding inland which means we leave the cooling coastal breeze and there are
several sweaty climbs, but we will make lots of stops for photos, to chat with locals, and drink fresh coconut
juice - perfect for rehydration. All your efforts will be rewarded with an exhilarating fast descent into Asau
and a dip in the freshwater pool. We'll arrive at our resort in time for lunch and can then check in to our
rooms. Later in the afternoon, we'll have a tour of the cocoa plantation across the road which exports to
Whittakers in New Zealand. You can spend the rest of the day swimming and relaxing.

Wed 19 June Asau - Falealupo Cycling 19kms / 160m climb
A fairly sharp climb leads to the Falealupo Peninsula and the tarseal then runs out as the road hits the coast
and it's a short ride on gravel and sand tracks to Falealupo Beach. We'll stop at the church which was
destroyed by Hurricane Ofa in 1990, before cycling on to our accommodation. Sit back and relax on a
beautiful isolated sandy white beach set beside a small private lagoon at the western end of Savai'i. Great
snorkelling and stunning sunsets await! During the afternoon, you'll be able to watch a traditional umu
being prepared and cooked.

Thu 20 June Falealupo - Satuiatua Cycling 38kms / 400m climb
This morning our ride begins on a sand & gravel road through regenerating coastal bush before a reasonably
steep climb. Follow an undulating road along the cliff tops with glimpses of wild seascapes including the Sea
Arches. Along the way we'll stop at a primary school and learn about the education system and meet some
super friendly children. Ride through colourful villages all individually decorated, before arriving at
Satuiatua where our fales are located under shady banyan trees. Time for some drift snorkelling through the
marine reserve where you will see plenty of coral and tropical fish.

Fri 21 June Satuiatua - Palauli Cycling 42kms / 200m climb
The morning begins with a gentle climb through Lata, then it's mostly flat for the rest of the way. A good
part of the morning is spent peacefully riding through copra estates. Plenty of time to watch the sea
whistling into the air at the Alofaaga Blowholes before riding on to Afu Aau Falls where we'll have a picnic
lunch and refreshing swim. It's a short ride on to the village of Palauli to enjoy the welcoming company of
our homestay hosts Ruth and Kelvin. Optional (but highly recommended) visit to the family farm with Kelvin if
available.

Sat 22 June Palauli - Salelologa | Mulifanua - Apia Cycling 13 kms
This morning we'll visit one of the few families on the Island who make traditional tapa (barkcloth). Learn
about the intricate process and painted designs which are sold worldwide on commission. The last cycle of
this trip is a short ride into Salelolga where we'll have lunch in a seaside resort before boarding the ferry and
heading back to Upolo Island. On arrival in Mulifanua, we ride the last few km back to the cycle base and
drop off our bikes and transfer by minivan into Samoa's capital, Apia.

Sun 23 June Apia
Sundays are family day in Samoa and most locals attend Church. You might like to go to a local service or
just spend the morning lazing by the pool. In the afternoon we'll head across to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
for a snorkel amongst the millions of colourful fish.

Mon 24 June Upolo sightseeing
Today we explore the island or Upolo. We'll snorkel out to see the giant Clams - these fluorescent molluscs
are almost a metre long and located in a sheltered and easily accessed lagoon. One of Samoa's best-known
attractions is the So Tua Trench. If you don't mind heights and ladders you can climb down for a swim in the
tidal pool at the bottom of the trench. If it's not your thing, stay at the top and enjoy the coastal views and
cooling breeze. Sometime during the day, we'll stop at one of the upmarket resorts for lunch.

Tue 25 June tour ends
This morning we will pack up and check out, before heading up into the hinterland to visit the Robert Louis
Stevenson Museum - a beautifully maintained house of the famed Scottish author who took up residence in
Samoa in 1890 with his family. Continue to airport and board flight home.

Includes:
- Tour escort
- Cycling escort + support van whilst cycling on Savaii
- Transportation by minivan & ferry
- 12 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast on Upolo, breakfast & dinner (including one traditional Umu) whilst on Savaii
- E-Bike hire
- Filtered water whilst cycling (byo water bottle)
- Sightseeing, Entry fees, Local Guides & Customary rights fees to local sights
- Tipping

Accommodation:
Fale accommodation can be best described as camping. They have waterproof roofs, solid wooden floors,
matting sides, mosquito nets, mattress, pillow and top & bottom sheet. Because it is hot, no blankets are
needed. Bathrooms are extremely basic and dining is from a set menu.
Hotel/Resort accommodation is of a high standard with comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms and air-
conditioning.

» Cycle Samoa enquiry «

Join us on:
13th-25th June 2024, 13 days, 12 nights, Cost: NZD4380 - What's included?