Ancient Vietnam
Our Ancient Vietnam bike tour starts in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, an area of many tiny streets each devoted to a different trade. From here
For over 30 years Pedaltours has designed and operated New Zealand cycle tours. We also offer a comprehensive range of fabulous guided cycling tours in Australia, Vietnam, India, Czech Republic and Austria, Croatia and Germany.
Pedaltours is an experienced and trusted New Zealand bike tour operator. We are passionate about our cycle tours and offer only the very best. All our tour routes have been thoroughly scouted and then high quality lodges and restaurants have been carefully selected to meet the needs of the cycle tourist.
Many who have travelled with us over the years return time and again to cycle another stunning corner of our world.
Pedaltours is the original New Zealand cycle tour company since 1985. With bases in Auckland and Christchurch, we can offer tailor-made New Zealand cycle tours for families and small or large groups of friends. With our guides, support vehicles, bikes for rental (road, hybrid and e-bikes), bike equipment and trailers. New Zealand guided cycle tours can be done on quiet country roads or a selection of amazing cycle trails.
We offer many options, from fully supported luxury cycle tours to essential transport only.
Have your group join us to ride the Twin Coast, the Hauraki Rail Trails and the Beaches and Volcanoes tour in the North Island. The Tasman Great Taste Trail, the Southern Alps and many more in the South Island. You will have a fantastic time cycling in New Zealand.
Our Ancient Vietnam bike tour starts in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, an area of many tiny streets each devoted to a different trade. From here
Join us on our most popular New Zealand cycling tour. Tens days of stunning scenery in one of the most spectacular places on earth. Enjoy
Cycle New Zealand Rural and Wine Bike Tour is a 9-day tour from Auckland to Rotorua via Napier. In between, we will visit the delightful
Our local tour guides add an extra personal touch with their extensive knowledge of the area, its flora, fauna, and the outdoors. The Pedaltours team is dedicated to bringing you the cycling holiday of a lifetime.
Come and join us for a fabulous New Zealand cycle tour
“From start to finish, fantastic service. The booking process was easy. Questions were quickly and precisely answered by the Pedaltours staff. Our guide was just the best. Can’t say enough about our trip. Great scenery, food, accommodations, and equipment exceeded our expectations. Pedaltours is absolutely the best for a memorable bike trip.” Clark USA.
A Pedaltour is for everyone. Ride at your own pace and use the support van when you choose.
Come and join us for a fabulous cycling vacation.”
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
A journey amongst the Gothic castles and spires of beautiful Prague, medieval cities and impressive castles as we cycle along quiet country roads through gently rolling hills.
CLIMATE – The best time to visit much of the Czech Republic and Austria is in May or September when the weather is mild, and the crowds have thinned out.
Most residents take their holidays in the summer months of July and August, and Prague can be busy then. During the summer season, the weather in Czech / Austria is mostly pleasant and sunny ( up to 20C in September), but rain is not uncommon, especially when approaching the mountains in Austria. Be prepared for all types of weather to ensure that your trip is an enjoyable one.
VISAS – A visa is not required by European passport holders, American, Canadian, New Zealand, Australia and Japan passport holders for visits of up to 90 days
TIME ZONE – Like the rest of Continental Europe, the Czech Republic is on Central European Time ( i.e. Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour). Clocks are moved forward for daylight saving time from late March to late October.
CURRENCY – The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (koruna). The Czech crown is the best and often the only possible currency to use when paying. Although the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, the euro is not widely accepted here yet. Some stores, restaurants and hotels accept payments in euros, but the exchange rate may not be very good. Major credit cards can be used to obtain local currency from money machines (ATMs or “ bankomat”) which are found in every town.
Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards.
TIPPING AND SERVICE CHARGES – Tipping is common practice for good service in Europe. 10% is typical.
MEAL – All breakfasts and most dinners are included.
MAPS / ITINERARY – Map and Route Description are included.
Pedaltours Limited
56 Tawa Road, Kumeu
Auckland, New Zealand 0891
Phone +64 22 495 4660
Phone +64 274 495 466
Email [email protected]
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