At a Glance
Enjoy two days of glorious cycling, explore the two premier sections of Great Lake Trail, cruise from Waihora Bay to Kinloch, and stay at the luxury boutique Whakaipo Lodge perfectly positioned adjacent to Whakaipo Bay, Lake Taupo. Take in spectacular views across Lake Taupo to the mountains of Tongariro National Park on the wheels by day, experience the peace and tranquility in your luxury suite by night, and taste a 4-course dinner featuring the best of local and lodge-grown ingredients accompanied by fine NZ wines. This two-day-one-night self guided Great Lake Trail cycling tour combines relaxation and adventure, and is sure to create unforgettable memories.
Skirting the western shores of Lake Taupo, the Great Lake Trail provides 71km of all-weather riding through native forest with stunning views across Lake Taupo to ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Transfer to the start and pickup at the end of the ride each day
- 1 night accommodation on a twin share basis (single supplement available at additional expenses). Stay at the award-wining Whakaipo Lodge (5 star luxury boutique lodge)
- Self guided cycling. Includes bike hire, helmet, personal locator beacon (PLB), and water bottle
- Great New Zealand food and wine. 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Pre-dinner drinks and canapés, 4-course dinners prepared from fresh local produce and accompanied by fine NZ wines
Itinerary
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Cycling distance: approx. 19.5 km (Grade 3), 3 hours cycling. Some highlights of your day: Stunning views across the lake to the mountains of Tongariro National Park. Transfer to start of trail at Orakau/Whangamata road end. Today you will cycle the Kawakawa K2K section of Great Lake Trail. A step up for most beginner riders the trail starts relatively gently, on flowing single track. This section of trail boasts some stunning scenery and native birdlife - tuis and bellbirds in particular - and there are seats along the way at the best vantage points, so you can rest your legs while taking in the view. Follow the clear Orakau Stream through regenerating native bush and beautiful wetlands down to the lake edge at secluded Kawakawa Bay. You will ride across boardwalks, past waterfalls and over ravines as the trail makes its way down towards the lake shore. As you near the beach at Kawakawa Bay you will cross two bridges that span some really deep ravines. It's worth stopping and peering over the sides as the ravines are spectacular. After 10km you will emerge onto the beach at the stunning Kawakawa Bay. There are views across Lake Taupo to the mountains of Tongariro National Park, and during summer this is the perfect place for a swim in the clear blue waters of Lake Taupo. There is a long drop toilet available. From Kawakawa Bay, a 3km switchback climb will take you up onto the Te Kauwae headland before you begin the fast and flowing descent down to the lakeside village of Kinloch. Your climbing efforts will be rewarded by magnificent, sweeping views from the top of the hill up towards the western bays. Once down the other side, the trail emerges on the lake front in Kinloch where it continues along the lake shore on a grassy path before reaching the carpark opposite the Kinloch Domain. You can reward yourself with a great coffee at the Kinloch Store or The Tipsy Café before you're transferred back to Whakaipo Lodge. Relax in the lounge with a log fire in winter, or in the stunning garden setting in summer, with a glass of complimentary NZ wine or craft beer. Or let the on-site barista serve you Taupo's own Volcanic gourmet coffee and have a chat with your knowledgeable Kiwi hosts on your cycling adventure today. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks with canapés, then 4-courses fine dining with fine NZ wines. |
Whakaipo Lodge
Lunch, Dinner |
Cycling distance: approx. 30km (Grade 3), 4-5 hours cycling. Easy cycling option (13km) can be arranged. Some highlights of your day: Towering volcanic rock cliffs, spectacular views and a waterfall hidden deep in the Waihaha Valley. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Whakaipo Lodge, then transfer you to start of trail at Waihaha Bridge road end. The trail follows the river downstream for a few hundred metres before it crosses the river on a swingbridge. The trail then gently climbs up onto the cliffs above the river and follows the course of the river to the junction at the end of Waihaha Road. This first part of the trail has great views of the Waihaha River canyon and waterfall. Be sure to stop and view the beautiful Waihaha Waterfall from the trail above. The trail is surrounded by Tanekaha dominated native bush and large outcrops of weathered volcanic rocks. The trail continues from here down to Kotukutuku Landing on what is known as the Waihora section of the trail. Ride out Waihaha Road and turn left onto the main highway back to the trail start at Waihaha River Bridge, a distance of approximately 9.5km. The section offers expansive views from the Waihora lookout across Lake Taupo to the majestic volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Ride amongst vast strands of Kamahi, through volcanic rock formations and past the intriguing Echo Rock before you start to descend down the Kotukutuku Stream via the unique engineering feat of bridges, platforms and boardwalks. You will emerge onto the beach in a tranquil bay where you will meet your boat transfer across to Kinloch. Return transport will take you and your bikes back to Taupo. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
More Info
The departure point is Taupo, New Zealand.
How to Get to Taupo, NZ
BY AIR
From Auckland: Air New Zealand operates daily flights between Auckland and Taupo.
From Wellington: Marlborough-based air operator Sounds Air, provide at least three return flights each weekday and two return flights on Saturdays and Sundays.
Private Charters: You can also fly to Taupo Airport via private chartered flights, jets and helicopters. Taupo Airport services Global Expresses, to light twin engine aircraft.
BY ROAD
Auckland - Taupo: 3.5hrs
Wellington - Taupo: 4.5hrs
Rotorua - Taupo: 1hr
Hamilton - Taupo: 2hr
Napier - Taupo: 2hr
New Plymouth - Taupo: 3.5hr
Palmerston North - Taupo: 3.5hrs
The summer and winter in Taupo are drastically different, with the warmer months all about outdoor activities, while during winter the scenery is carpeted with a beautiful layer of snow. Taupo has a cold and windy weather and has a temperate sea climate than other locations of North Island.
During summer months from November to February temperature changes from 10°C to 25°C. During winter temperature changes from -3°C to 12°C. Taupo’s warmest months are from January, February, and March. Coldest months are July and August. Taupo has average annual rainfall of 1100mm. Most rainfall is examined in the months of May to December.
Day 1: Cycle Orakau to Kawakawa Bay & K2K (Kawakawa to Kinloch) section of the Great Lake Trail, approx. 19.5 km; Grade 3: Confident beginner / Intermediate.
Day 2: Cycle Waihaha & Waihora section of the Great Lake Trail, approx. 30 km; Grade 3: Intermediate.
Total: Approximately 49.5 km cycling
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
