New Zealand / Aotearoa

Unspoiled New Zealand – glaciers, rainforests, lakes and snowy peaks. Visitors come to experience our awe-inspiring scenery, to search for adventure, to seek out relaxation and rejuvenation, or just to breathe our pure mountain air.

The South Island has some of the world’s finest scenery. New Zealand was one of the last places in the world to be settled by man and it still retains a rugged, incomparable pristine beauty. On the West Coast see the spectacular Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and the Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes. Lake Wanaka’s spectacular location at the foot of the Southern Alps with the wilderness of the Mt Aspiring National Park nearby. Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world.

The North Island is known for its volcanic activity, national parks, wine growing regions and cosmopolitan cities. It’s home to about three-quarters of New Zealand’s population. The Coromandel is renowned for it’s beauty: an outdoor haven where rugged terrain is contrasted by an idyllic coastline. The laid back culture, locally known as ‘Coromandel time’, encourages a relaxed atmosphere.  Rotorua is famous for its exciting geothermal activity including geysers and mud pools. It also has a prominent Maori culture and a thriving adventure tourism industry.

Enjoy friendly Kiwi hospitality, superb scenery and terrain that will delight cycle enthusiasts – knowing that each evening, there is a comfortable lodge and excellent cuisine awaiting you.

One of the most fascinating countries in Asia.

CLIMATE – Vietnam has a remarkably diverse climate because of its wide range of latitudes and altitudes. In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) the average annual temperature is 27°, but temperatures in the low 30° are common and humidity high. The best time to cycle between Hanoi and Saigon is from November to March. The Far North of Vietnam is best in October to mid-December and March to May

VISAS – All nationalities require a visa. There is now an option to obtain a permit on arrival which can be applied for online. There are many online agencies such as www.myvietnamvisa.com who offer the visa on arrival service.

TIME ZONE – Vietnam is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (15 hours ahead of Los Angeles, 12 hours ahead of New York, 5 hours behind NZ). Because it is so close to the equator, Vietnam does not have daylight saving time.

CURRENCY / MONEY EXCHANGE – The currency of Vietnam is the Dong (d). in denominations of 200d, 500d, 1,000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d and 100,000d. Coins have more recently been introduced, having denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000d. It is not possible to exchange Vietnamese Dong outside the country so convert or spend all your Dong before leaving. US currency is readily accepted at most tourist shops and hotels. Carry small denominations, as they may not have change in US$ for large denominations. Other major international currencies may be exchanged in the bigger towns and cities. There are ATMs in large cities. Most of the hotels we use offer exchange services at a reasonable rate. Major credit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist centres, but not in villages and small towns.

MEALS – We provide breakfasts, lunches and dinners, except for rest days at Dalat, Nha Trang and Hoi An. Meals are typically Vietnamese cuisine.

TIPPING – Tipping has become more of a norm and is now generally expected. Providing that the staff have provided excellent service, we suggest that each guide is tipped US$4 per day and other team (e.g. drivers) are tipped US$2 per day. This cost should be split across the group. Please remember that the standard of living in Vietnam is vastly different from your home country, and the US$ goes a long way in the local economy. For a person who earns US$100 per month, a US$1 tip to a porter or waiter is very reasonable. Please be discreet when tipping – we suggest placing money in an envelope before presenting it to guides or drivers. It is considered proper to make a small donation at the end of a visit to a pagoda, especially if the monk has shown you around.

YOUR TOUR GUIDE – Will be a local Vietnamese with good knowledge of the country and the route, and fluent in English. It may take a short while to tune in to his accent. Drivers will not speak English.

DRESS – Dress conservatively – this is practical for mosquitoes and sun and not just for cultural sensitivity. You may not be allowed to enter some pagodas or temples with bare shoulders or brief shorts.

CYCLING SAFETY – Traffic drives on the right in Vietnam, although it is not unusual for motorcycles to travel against the flow of traffic! There are few road rules in Vietnam. (or at least, few that appear to be obeyed) Be particularly careful of children playing on the road and wandering livestock. Watch out for big potholes, especially after heavy rain. Two-wheeled traffic (cycles and small motorbikes) is very heavy in the towns and cities. Take extra care at intersections, but at the same time, be assertive.

We drive out of busy cities and towns before commencing cycling.

Czech Republic