DAY 2

Heli biking the Moerangi Trail

Things are always better when you introduce a helicopter into the mix, and the fun factor is ramped up even more when we’re dropped off in arguably one of the worlds most beautiful forests – and then we get to ride through it with absolutely no one around. After the chopper drops us into the mix, we’ll ride the tight single track through pristine forest, traverse big bluffs, take on some grunty climbs and enjoy a lengthy downhill descent to the end of the trail to finish it all off. It really is the jewel in the crown of New Zealand riding and the ultimate way to round off our trip.

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House  RIDE TIME: 5 hours  DISTANCE: 32 km  CLIMB: 600 metres  DESCENT: 900 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Redwoods Land Rover Shuttles

Rotorua is, without a doubt, home to the best single track riding in New Zealand. Today we’ll have access to every corner of it. Our Redwoods Land Rover Shuttles day means we’ll have access to an entire network of 200km of single track, have it to ourselves and do it in style on our very own Land Rovers. We’ll tailor the day to the type of trails you want to ride, and there’s no need to pedal uphill!

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House RIDE TIME: optional  MEALS:(B,L,D)

DAY 4

Free Day in Rotorua

Rotorua is the cultural heart of New Zealand, and a fantastic place to explore, given the variety of options available – from zip lining, to lake cruises to rafting. We can point you in the right direction and help you reserve any activities you might like to do. Or if you’re keen to kick back and relax, it’s also a good idea to have a non-activity day to be rested for the following days riding!

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House   MEALS: (B)

DAY 5

Ride Skyline Rotorua

It’s time to ride the trails made famous by the EWS and Crankworx – Skyline Rotorua. There’s a trail for everyone here, but a main theme is flow! If you like to get your wheels off the ground then this is the right place also, with great jump lines on fantastic dirt. Ride the gondola up and  see how many laps we can do! If you’re still keen to ride more later, there’s a chance to hit more trails in the Redwoods.

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House RIDE TIME: Many hours!  CLIMB: 0 metres DESCENT: As much as possible  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 6

Ride the Timber Trail

A drive south of Rotorua and through the volcanic heartland of the North Island brings us to the beginning of the Timber Trail – one of the most iconic multi day backcountry rides in New Zealand. After a final thorough check of our bikes and gear, we’ll head into the wild from Pureora, through dense mossy forest on single track, crossing numerous high suspension bridges over amazing forest canyons. There’s a sting in the tail on the first half of today’s ride – a 500 metre gradual ascent through cloud forest and mist, straight out of Lord of the Rings. After a break at the summit of Mt Pureora taking in the epic views, it’s an equally gradual descent down to Piropiro, and our accommodation for the evening, which definitely involves hearty food, hot showers, comfortable lodging and a well deserved drink.

ACCOMMODATION: Timber Trail Lodge  RIDE TIME: 4-5 hours  DISTANCE: 40 km  MEALS: (B,L,D) CLIMB: 500 metres  DESCENT: 540 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 7

Ride the Timber Trail

Today is a day of undulation on single track through epic forest (again!), over spectacular suspension bridges, past weird and wonderful rock formations and remnants of New Zealand’s colonial history, and all round fun on the best grade 2/3 trail in the world. After the 5km mark, the significant uphill section is behind us and it’s all about the descent through the forest, New Zealand’s highest suspension bridge, and experiencing the only rideable railway spiral in the world – a relic of New Zealand’s early logging pioneers. At the end of the trail we’ll head to National Park village, at the foot of Mt Ruapehu.

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House  RIDE TIME 5 hours  DISTANCE: 44 km  CLIMB: 400 metres DESCENT: 750 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 8

Ride Rainbow Mountain & Raft the Kaituna

A very short drive south this morning brings us to “Kerosene Creek”, where the Rainbow Mountain ride begins. We’ll start out with a 40 minute climb to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. From the summit, the views out to Lake Taupo and North to Rotorua and the surrounding forests are awesome. Then it’s time for the steep, tight, technical descent through the forest on winding single track, all the way back down to Kerosene Creek. The beauty of this run is that we can do it all over again and double the fun! There’s a chance to soak in the natural hot springs after the ride, then we’ll head back to Rotorua. If you’re up for some more gravity action, we’ll do it again this afternoon, only a whitewater raft on the Kaituna river – home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House  RIDE TIME: 3 hours  DISTANCE: 11 km  CLIMB: 500 metres MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 9

Depart

Today is the last day of your North Island riding adventure with Menzoda Holidays and New Zealand Mountain Biking. We hope you’ll have enjoyed your time here, having ridden some of the best trails in New Zealand and taken in the best scenery on the planet in the process. Our specialty is first class guiding, being welcoming hosts, taking care of all the logistics and nitty gritty details, and ensuring it’s all done in style. We’ll send you home relaxed, refreshed and looking forward to the next epic ride.

MEALS: (B)