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$4,699

Per Person

NEW ZEALAND | Mountain Bike Tour

NORTH ISLAND TIMBER TRAIL

Amazing riding, amazing scenery

Mountain Biking

Private Tours and Custom ToursSolos, Couples & Friends
Departure: Auckland, Rotorua, New Zealand
Tour Offered: Jan, Feb
Departs On: Sunday

Duration: 7 Days
Lodging: Casual Inns
Fitness Level: 3-4
Technical Level: 3-5

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Overview

Our North Island/Timber Trail trip can be deconstructed in a very economical two words: sui generis. Defined as one of a kind, its own class, in a category of its own.

New Zealand’s North Island physically distills Hawaii and Switzerland. Good beer and friendly inclinations. Amazing plants and 1000-year old trees. Geysers and plunging waterfalls, the flightless Kiwi bird, some of the world’s last prehistoric rainforest. And: upwards of 50-80 million sheep spread across a landscape the size of Colorado.

Our six days on North Island go deep into complex and wildly diverse ecosystems. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, beyond the belt of haze so tragically prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere we’re meet with 40% greater visibility (on average). Those enhanced senses will serve us well. At Huka Falls, tucked into our trail across Pureora Forest, it’s as much the sight as the wall of sound that captivates: 58,117-gallons of pearl blue water thundering over a cliff face every second.

On the Timber Trail, the narrative becomes something of a wilderness in transition: we ride over bygone bulldozer and timber roads given a revitalizing, low impact repurposing: now designated for thru-hikers and mountain bikers. The visual punctuation comes of finding an abandoned tractor neatly sealed away by towering old growth trees. Mother Earth’s keepsake.

Each day the trails dissolve into forest so dense and exotic, the undergrowth so rich in moss and exuberant chartreuse fern you can’t help but feel as if you were in Middle Earth. In a real sense, the steaming craters and boiling mud-pools we find on one trail lend a portal to that very realm.

Day 1-2: Meet in Rotorua, Transit to the Whakarewrewa Forest, home not only to huge spans of California Coastal Redwoods. Ride smooth and flowy trails for two days followed by overnight at the Rotorua Redwoods House.
Day 3-4: Shuttle south of Rotorua, into North Island’s volcanic heartland to the Timber Trail: a backcountry Kiwi classic then ride atop the summit of Mt Pureora, taking in 300-sq miles of ancient rainforest.
Day 5-6: Crossover New Zealand’s highest suspension bridge and experience the world’s only rideable railway spiral: a remnant of New Zealand’s logging pioneers. Closing out miles of trail we overnight at National Park Lodge, at the foot of 9177-ft Mt Ruapehu (North Island’s highest peak). Finally, drop in on the “Great Lake Trail”. Return to Rotorua.
Day 7: After Breakfast return to Auckland.

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All-Inclusive Prices

All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of your tour. This means from the time we pick you up at our meeting point, until we drop you back off to head home, all transportation, food preparation, meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.) are included. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging) are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s). Trip price does not include airfare, lodging prior to trip start or bicycle rental and/or camping gear (if on a camping tour) unless otherwise noted on itinerary or website.

Renting Bicycles

Not only do we run an international bike tour business, but we also own and operate a premiere bicycle store – www.LasVegasCyclery.com. We have learned over the years that every cyclist is different and prefers different types of bikes for different types of terrain. That is why we offer the best bicycles for rent in the business. If for some reason you are not happy with the quality of your rental, we will refund the cost of your entire bike rental. If you are bringing your bike with you, check with your airline’s baggage policy in advance and be sure to pack your bike accordingly. If you are shipping your bike to your destination, confirm the address with our office and allow enough time for your bike to arrive. We’re happy to help you ship your bike. Whatever you need to get the most out of your tour, we are here to make it happen.

Free With Every Tour

When you join an Escape Adventures tour in 2026, you will receive a FREE custom sublimated Limited Edition Jersey!

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Why travel with Escape Adventures?

Our Commitment to You

For over 25 years, the hallmark of an Escape Adventures tour is personalized, hands-on service. Before, during, and after each trip. We are a company of honesty and integrity and we stand behind our product 100%. From the moment you learn of our trips, to the time you return home and start planning your next trip, we are here to bring you the best possible experience. From our Guaranteed Trip Departure Confirmation Policy, making sure your trip is never cancelled*, to our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Policy, backing the unrivaled consistent quality of all our tours, our commitment to you is never compromised. * Scheduled Domestic trips only.

Our Commitment to the Environment

Our environmental commitment is second to none. We run our tours the same way we run our company, with an eye on the triple bottom line: People, Profit & Planet. At Escape Adventures, we elected to pursue a more comprehensive approach to actually reduce our carbon footprint, rather than just offset it. We overhauled our entire operation — from our vehicles, to our buildings, to our procedures — to become an outdoor industry leader in the charge to help our people and our planet.

Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides

Leading tours naturally followed from our passion of exploring our favorite places with our friends. Our support staff includes our reservation team who is there to answer your questions about the tours, our service team who prepares your bike and gear for the tour, and our guide team – the ones who take you into the great outdoors. The highest level of responsibility, good nature, integrity, and dedication are standard traits of all those who work at Escape Adventures. We are proud of it and we think you should know it.

The Best Support Vehicles

Having custom-made vehicles allows us to take you to places few other outfitters can, or will go. Every Escape Adventures tour is accompanied by at least one support vehicle, trailer, and in some cases a second and third transfer van. After purchase, we custom engineer our trucks, vans, and trailers by our on-staff mechanic to meet the unique needs of different tours. For example, certain trucks are specifically designed for The White Rim and The Maze, while others are designed for The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Each of our guides is required to be trained in safe vehicle operation, 4X4 driving, and basic maintenance. Our experienced guides make it look easy, transporting you and up to 12 guests, along with their bikes, fresh food, and plenty of drinking water to a remote location.

The Best Bicycles and Gear

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle-free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Santa Cruz and Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our standards. All of our mountain bikes are equipped with full suspension frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have eMountainbikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.

The Best Food

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food is a big part of the Escape Adventures experience. Most dinners and breakfasts are served at local restaurants on our inn tours. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.

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