"NEW ZEALAND. Cycling and Hiking Adventures"

 

 

Daily Tour Notes

Day 1 Meet in Abashiri
We meet at our lakeside accommodation in Abashiri at 6pm and have a welcome dinner. Our accommodation tonight has wonderful onsen (natural hot spring) in both indoor and outdoor setting, which will be a perfect location for your first authentic onsen experience.

 

Day 2 Abashiri to Lake Saroma
From Abashiri we ride on the cycling path, which takes us to Lake Notoro and then onto Lake Saroma. Cycling on the path built on the sands spit between the lake and the Okhotsk Sea, we pass by scallop farms and fishing boats, and finally reach our lunch spot at Wakka flower reserve. After lunch we continue cycling around the Lake Saroma, the biggest lake in Hokkaido. A detour to Kimuaneppu Misaki is a delightful riding in the forest.

 

Day 3 Lake Saroma to Hamatonbetsu
This morning we will drive to miss cycling the busy traffic section from Lake Saroma to Oumu (approx 2hr drive). Along the way we pass interesting fishery towns, one of which is Monbetsu famous for its massive drift ice in winter. The rich nutrient that the drift ice carries makes this area productive for its fishery, especially the crabs. Once we reach Oumu we get back on our bikes continuing our journey north all along the coastline to Hamatonbetsu. Tonight we are staying at a “cycling terminal”, a type of accommodation established to cater to cyclists, equipped with rental bike facility and onsen to restore tired bodies. Accommodation: Cycling terminal/Ensuite/Onsen (B,D)
Cycling distance – 80km/50mile
Altitude gain - 400m/1312ft

 

On leaving Hamatonbetsu, we cycle by Lake Kutcharo, home to thousands of swans making their winter migration from northern Siberia. Lake Kutcharo is registered by the Ramsar Wetlands Convention as the area is an important staging ground for migratory waterfowl. We continue travelling north along the coast to Wakkanai today, aiming for Japan’s northernmost tip, Cape Soya. On a clear day you can see the outline of Sakhalin Island of Russia only 43kms away.

 

Day 5 Wakkanai – ferry – Rishiri Island
This morning we take a 1.5 hour ferry to the Rishiri Island. Rishiri Island is Japan’s cycling paradise with a circumference of 60km. The coast line is all rideable with ocean views on one side and mountain views on the other. There is a 25km section of cycling road through some flower reserves, which will be in full bloom in June. There are no major hills, little traffic and superb views all day along. Mount Rishiri, also known as Rishiri Fuji, is situated in the centre of the island and is always in your sight. We will take our van on the ferry with us so the support will be there if the island breeze picks up.

Accommodation: Ryokan/Ensuite (B, D)
Cycling distance – 60km/37mile
Altitude gain - 300m/984ft

Day 6 Rishiri Island – ferry – Rebun Island – ferry – Wakkanai

A forty mins ferry voyage takes us to neighbouring Rebun island. Unlike Rishiri, Rebun is a non-volcanic island that is long and narrow. The west coast is rugged and predominantly cliffs, whereas the east coast slopes more gently to the sea. Rebun Island, famous as a floral island, has a number of walking and hiking trails, offering opportunities to see rare alpine flowers growing naturally. Today we have a couple of options to cycle or hike this wonderful island Rebun, depending on the weather and everyone’s energy on the day. In the late afternoon we will board the ferry that takes us back to Wakkanai.

Accommodation: Hotel/Ensuite/Onsen (B,D)
Cycling distance: up to 20km/12.5mile or 2-3 hour hiking

Day 7 Wakkanai finish
The tour finishes today after breakfast in Wakkanai. (B)
Cycling distance – 0km

 

Included in trip cost • 6 nights accommodation on twin share basis • 6 breakfasts and 5 evening meals • English speaking guide & mechanic • Support vehicle(s) • Ferry transport as described in the itinerary • Bike rental • Bike tools and spare parts • Helmets by request only

Not included • Airfare • 1 evening meal (Day 4 in Wakkanai) • 7 lunches • Optional activities • Personal expenses • Drinks with included meals