northern islands of hokkaido by bikealohabike.com/noh-with_prices.pdf · trip duration 7 days trip...

Trip Duration 7days Trip Code: NOHGrade ModeratelevelActivities 5daycycleAccommodation 6nightsmotel/hotelaccommodation

trip highligh tsStartsfromAbashiriMemanbetsuontheeastcoastofHokkaido

FinishesinWakkanai,Japan’snorthern-mostcityCycle-friendlyruralroadsandcyclingpaths

CyclinginRishiriIsland,undiscoveredcyclingparadiseHikinginRebunIsland,hometomanyrarealpineplants

StayingattraditionalJapaneseinnswithhotspringsonsiteExperienceHokkaido’sfreshseafoodorientalcuisines

OptionalcycletourintheancientcityofKyoto

Kia Ora from Adventure SouthThankyouforyourinterestinourNorthernIslandsofHokkaidoByBikeadventure.It’sasuperbadventureandwehopeyoucanjoinus.AdventureSouthhasbeenoperatingactiveholidaysthroughoutNewZealandsince1992andJapansince2008.Thankstoourexperiencewe’reconfidenttosaythatweoffertheverybesttravelitinerariesavailableinNewZealandandJapantoday.AnAdventureSouthholidayaimstotakeyoubeyondthemorepopularandbusytrailstoprovideyouwithatrulyuniqueJapanesewildernessexperience.We’reheretoshowyouthattherearemany,manymoretrailsandcyclingroutesinthisgreatcountrythatarethenewfrontiersinadventuretourism-beautiful,scenic,andwithoutthecrowds.Weaimtoexplorethesedelicateenvironmentsinasustainablemannertoensureweleaveaslittleimpactaspossiblefromourvisit.We’dbehonouredtointroduceyoutothewidevarietyofnaturalwondersthatJapanisfamousfor.Goforth,gosouth-joinusonthisamazingsmallgroup,valuepackedadventure!

why travel with Adventure South?“SmallGroups,GreatGuides,SuperbHolidays.”ThiscommentencapsulatesanAdventureSouthactiveholidayinJapan.Thephrasewasnotbornfromalongandtortuousstrategicplanningprocess,itcamefromaclientreview!Wecouldnothavesaiditanybetter.Ourclientfeedbackalsoconfirmsthatwhathelpsmakeourholidaysdifferentarethequalityofourprofessionalguides.Theysharetheirhumour,compassionandwildernessexperiencetoensurethatyouhaveagreatvacationandtherightdegreeofpersonalchallenge.OnanAdventureSouthtouryoucanalsoexpecttheright,provenequipmentisprovidedforyourtour;thefoodisdelicious,plentifulandcanbecateredtoyourdietaryrequests;yourguidesareallFirstAidtrained;thattheitineraryyouhavechosenhasbeencarefullycraftedfromyearsofpersonalexperienceintheJapanesewilderness,notfromaguidebookrecommendation.

1–©2012AdventureSouth-RachelBrownie28Mar201209:19:19

northern islands of hokkaido by bike

northern islands of hokkaido by bike

Cycle highlights of the Northern Islands of Hokkaido.

the tripHokkaidoatthenorthernedgeofJapanoffersfantasticopportunitiesforadventureseekers.Hokkaidomaybebestknownfortheexcellentsnowconditions,buttherearesecretsthatarerevealedonlyinsummer.TheheavysnowfallinwinteriswhatmakesHokkaidoroadssowideandsmooth,providingperfectconditionsforroadcycling.Theroadsaremaintainedregularly(virtuallyeverysummer)andbuiltwithamplespacetohousethesnow.Theharshwinteralsomeanslesspopulation,trafficandgoodfood,everythingyouwishforinacycletouringdestination!TheoceansurroundingHokkaidoisblessedwithbountifulseafood,attractingmanyfoodloversalloverthecountry,anditgetsmoreexoticandevenhigherqualityaswejourneyfurthernorth.This7dayitineraryexploresthenorthernmostnationalparkofJapancontainingtheundiscoveredtwinislandsRishiriandRebun.ThereareoversixthousandislandsbelongingtotheJapaneseArchipelago,andislandsarethedestinationsyoucan’tmisswheninJapan!Wehighlyrecommendour2nightsextensionoptioninKyoto,includingadaycyclingthroughabambooforest,rockgarden,ZentempleandtheGoldenPavilion.Askusformoredetails.

about your leaderOurGuidesareoneofourbiggestassets.Weprideourselvesonthestandardandqualityofthesegreatpeoplewhoyouwillbespendingyourholidaywith.Theycomefromallwalksoflifebuttheyallhaveacommondesiretogiveyouthebestpossibleexperience,heapsoffunandlotsoffondmemoriestotakehomewithyou.Weprovideyouwiththeservicesoftwoguidesformanyofourtrips,(thismaydependonthesizeofthegroup).AllarecertifiedinfirstaidandCPRandmanyaretrainedbikemechanics.

at a glanceDay 1 MEETINABASHIRIDay 2 ABASHIRITOLAKESAROMADay 3 LAKESAROMATOHAMATONBETSuDay 4 HAMATONBETSuTOWAKKANAIDay 5 WAKKANAI–FERRy–RISHIRIISLANdDay 6 RISHIRIISLANd–FERRy–REBuNISLANd–FERRy–WAKKANAIDay 7 WAKKANAIFINISH

what’s included 6 breakfasts and 5 evening meals 6 nights accommodation on a twin share basis All water and snack food whilst cycling English speaking guide & mechanic Support vehicle(s) Rental bikes Helmets by request only (please advise on booking) Bike tools and spare parts All ferry transport as described in the itinerary

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important notesNote: Ask our staff about our 4 day Kyoto Active extension.

trip costJoining Abashiri: NZD$4100 / AUD$3390

options & supplementsAdventure South does not require single travellers pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share

a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

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northern islands of hokkaido by bike

Cycle highlights of the Northern Islands of Hokkaido.

detailed itineraryDay 1 Meet in abashiriWe meet at our lakeside accommodation in Abashiri at 6pm and have a welcome dinner. Our accommodation tonight has wonderful onsens (natural hot spring) in both an indoor and outdoor setting, which will be a perfect location for your first authentic onsen experience. Accommodation: Ryokan/Ensuite/Onsen Cycling distance – 0kmmeals: d

Day 2 abashiri to Lake SaromaFrom Abashiri we ride on the designated cycling path, which takes us to Lake Notoro and then onto Hokkaido’s largest Lake Saroma. The path built on the sands spit between the lake and the ocean provides unique cycle experience and views including a fishing port, scallop farms and coastal flower reserves. We have a lunch at the visitor centre in the flower reserve before resuming our lake side ride to our accommodation. Accommodation: Hotel/Ensuite/OnsenCycling distance – 70km/43.5mileAltitude gain – 200m/656ftmeals: b,d

Day 3 Lake Saroma to HamatonbetsuThis 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/OnsenCycling distance – 80km/50mileAltitude gain - 400m/1312ftmeals: b,d

Day 4 Hamatonbetsu to WakkanaiOn 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. Accommodation: Hotel/Ensuite/OnsenCycling distance – 95km/59mileAltitude gain - 400m/1312ftmeals: b

Day 5 Wakkanai – ferry – Rishiri IslandThis 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 road cycling through some flower reserves, which will be in full bloom in June. There are no major hills, little traffic and superb views all day

fast factsPrivate Groups:

Privategroupoptionsareavailableforthistrip*

Singles:Asinglesupplementisavailableforthistrip*

Leader:Expertlocalleader

*Askourstaffformoreinformation

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northern islands of hokkaido by bike

Cycle highlights of the Northern Islands of Hokkaido.

long. 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/EnsuiteCycling distance – 60km/37mileAltitude gain - 300m/984ftmeals: b,d

Day 6 Rishiri Island – ferry – Rebun Island – ferry – WakkanaiA 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/OnsenCycling distance: up to 20km/12.5mile or 2-3 hour hikingmeals: b,d

Day 7 Wakkanai finishThe tour finishes today after breakfast in Wakkanai.Cycling distance – 0kmmeals: b

This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.

cyclingCyclingisoneofthebestwaystoseeacountryandourtripshavebeenwellresearchedtotakeyouonthebestroute,usingwhereverpossiblequietsecondaryroads.Ontherouteyouwillseeincrediblesceneryandlandscapes,viewthemainsights,eatdeliciousfood,stayatuniqueaccommodationandmeetthelocals.Ourtripsfollowthephilosophyof“CyclingtheBestanddrivingtheRest”.ThesupportvehicleenablesridersofallfitnesslevelstoenjoythetoursinJapan,coveringupto60-90kmplusperday(37-56miles).Onsomedaysweintentionallyusethesupportvehicleorpublictransporttoavoidbusysectionsforthesakeofyoursafety.Bikehireisincludedinthecostofyourtourandfulldetailsofourbikefleetcanbefoundonourwebsite:<http://www.advsouth.co.nz/information.aspx?i=61>Allequipmentandluggagewillbecarriedbythesupportvehicle.yourbikewillcomewithafrontpannierbagforyourcamera,wallet,jumperetc.Itisimportanttorememberthatthesecyclingjourneysarenotdesignedtobeamarathonevent.Whilethesetoursofferpointtopointriding,nooneneedstofeelunderpressuretoride–everyoneridesattheirownpace.Ifatanytimeyoudonotwishtoride,thesupportvehicleisalwaysavailableforyouandyourbiketobetransported.Rememberthatcyclinginvolvessomephysicalexertion,andsomepretrippreparationwillhelptowardsmakingyourcycletouranenjoyableexperience.Cycling,ofcourse,isanactivepursuitandtomaximiseyourownpersonalprotectionincaseofatumbleorfall,thewearingofabicyclehelmetiscompulsoryatalltimeswhilstcycling.Wealsohighlyrecommendwearingbright/fluorocycleclothingtoincreaseyourvisibilityontheroad.

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responsible travelWeallhavearesponsibilitytominimisetheimpactwehaveontheenvironment

andcommunitieswevisitwhenwetravel.Sinceourbeginningsthishasbeena

cornerstoneofourcompany.TheNewZealandtravelindustryhasbecomeaworldleaderindevelopinganexternal

auditprocesstoidentifyquality,andthatprocesshasbeenextendedtonowinclude

a3levelEnviroMarkbasedoncompanyprocesses.We’reveryproudthatwe’ve

receivedaGoldrating,thehighestcategory;eachyearsincethisinitiativebegan.

Beingresponsiblewhenwetravelisn’taboutasingleprocessorprojectbut

ratherawayofthinkingandthendoing.Westartedthisjourneymanyyears

ago,andacknowledgewestillhavealottolearn.Weinviteyoutojoinus!

trip gradingTodeterminethegradeofaparticular

adventureweconsideranumberoffactors.Theseincludetheconditionoftheterrain,the

altitude,thenumberofpasscrossingsandthelengthofthetrip.TheNorthernIslandsofHokkaidoisgradedmoderate.youwillneedareasonableleveloffitnessandwe

suggest60minutesofaerobictypeexercise,(eithercyclingorjogging)threetimesaweekforthethreemonthsleadinguptoyourtrip.

Thetourisfullysupportedandifatanystageyoufeellikehavingarestfromcyclingyou

willbeabletorideinthesupportvehicle.

adventure travelByitsverynatureadventuretravelinvolves

anelementoftheunexpected.Togetthemostoutofyouradventureitisimportantthatyouarementallyflexible,positiveand

eagertotakeonallthechallengesthatarise.Ifyouareuncertainaboutyoursuitability

forthistripwerecommendthatyouspeakwithyourconsultantortravelagent.

northern islands of hokkaido by bike

Cycle highlights of the Northern Islands of Hokkaido.

country informationHokkaidoislocatedinthenorthernpartoftheJapaneseArchipelago,whichextendsnorthandsouth.Itrepresents22%ofthenation’stotallandmass.ItisthelargestprefectureinJapan,nearly40timesthesizeofTokyoandequivalenttotheareaofAustria(83,859km2).Withalmostequalareasofmountainsandofplains,HokkaidoislessmountainousandhillyandhasmoreflatlandscomparedwiththerestofJapan.TouristsareattractedfromalloverthecountrytoHokkaido’srichvarietyoffreshfishandprocessedseafood.Thisdeliciousbountyincludescrab(kani),scallops(hotate),seaurchins(uni),salmonroe(ikura),salmon(sake),herring(nishin),flounder(karei),cod(tara),squid(ika),octopus(tako),shrimp(ebi),abalone(awabi),surfclams(asari),kelp(konbu)andloadsmore!.Areyoupreparedtotrytheseout?Thereare29NationalParksinJapan,6ofwhichareinHokkaido.TheseNationalParkshavebeendesignatedbytheMinistryofEnvironmentandaccountforapprox5.5%ofthenation’stotallandmass.JapaneseNationalParksarequitedifferentfromNZnationalparkswherethefirstpriorityisgiventoconservation.WhereasinJapan,theemphasisisoftenplacedonthepreservationof“scenicbeauty”andprovisionofrecreationalopportunities.BecauseJapanisasmallanddenselypopulatedcountry,thelandcomprisingNationalParkscannotbeexclusivelyallocatedasgovernment-ownedparkland.Forthisreason,NationalParksofJapanoftencompriseofprivatelyownedresidentialareasandindustriallandssuchasagricultureandforestry.ShiretokoNationalParkisaWorldHeritageSiteregisteredbyuNESCOonlyinJuly2005,isconsideredtobethelastpristinewildernessremaininginJapan.

climateJapanhasaremarkablydiverseclimatebecauseofitswiderangeoflatitudesandaltitudes.Hokkaidohasshortdrysummerandlengthywinterwithheavysnowfall,whereasthesouthernislands,suchasOkinawa,enjoyasubtropicalclimate.MostareasofJapanexceptHokkaidoexperiencea3-4weeksrainyseasoninJune,anditbecomeshotandhumidJulyonwards.TheaveragetemperatureinsummermonthsinHokkaidoisabout15-25°C,dependingonwhereinHokkaidoyouare,itgetsashotas30°Cduringtheday,itcanalsogojustbelow15°Conacoolnight.TheaverageannualrainfallinHokkaidoisapproximately1,100mm,whichkeepsthemountainsfilledwithlush,greenvegetationthroughoutthesummer.IfyouareextendingyourtriptoKyotopleasebearinmindthatthesummerweatherishotandhumid,muchmoresothanHokkaido,andhydrationbecomesmoreessentialwhencycling.Occasionallyweatherconditionsonthelandmaypreventusfromcompletingascheduledactivity.Thedecisiontoaltertheitineraryismadeinthebestinterestofthegroupandit’ssafety,andalternativeplansaremade.

accommodation on the tripAwiderangeofaccommodationshasbeenchosenforthistriptogiveyouanopportunitytoexperiencedifferenttypesofaccommodationthatareavailableinJapan.Ouraccommodationsareequippedwithprivatefacilities,exceptfortherareoccasionwheretheirlocationandcharmoutweightheprivacyfactor.Fulldetailsofthelodgesareprovidedwiththetripnotes.AccommodationsinJapangenerallysupplytowelsandyukatainyourroom.yukataislikeacasualkimonothatJapanesepeopleputonafterspaandarealsoacceptabletowearatdinner.Thisnightwearlessenstheneedtobringmultipleoutfitsaswedineatouraccommodationonmostnights.WealsotrytoreserveJapanesestyleroomsasmuchaspossible,andthismeansthatyouwillbesleepinginfutonontatamifloorsonsomenights.Pleasenote:althougheveryendeavourismadetostayattheaccommodationdetailedinthe

itinerary,duetoseasonalshortagesoccasionally,weneedtouseotheraccommodationofasimilarstandard.

pre and post tour accommodationIfyouwouldlikesomehelpbookingpre/posttouraccommodationspeaktoAyaka(ayaka@advsouth.co.nz)asshecanhelpwithdifferentsuggestions.

what you carryyourbikewillbeequippedwithawaterbottleandasmallpannierbag.Itwillhaveenoughspaceforyourjumper,camera,walletetc.Helmetscanbesuppliedbutareoflimitedsupplysopleaseensureyourequestoneattimeofbooking.

what’s not included Airfare 7 lunches and 1 evening meal Drinks with included meals Personal expenses Optional activities Gratuities, tipping is not expected but gratefully received. It is at your discretion

whether or not to reward for excellent service

private groupsTheadventuresfeaturedinourbrochures,andonourwebsite,arejustastartingpoint.Planningandprovidingspecialgroupdeparturesissomethingwedoexceptionallywell.Overthepast20yearswehavedevelopedsomeexceptionalitineraries,fromcyclingtohikingorcombinationmulti-adventuretrips.Schoolgroups,charities,workcolleaguesandcyclingbuddieshaveallbeenpartofourexperience.Ourteamcanassistyouwithallaspectsofyourprivategrouptoensurethetripistailoredjustrightforyourgroup.Contactourteamtoday.

subscribe to our e-newsletterTokeepuptodatewiththenewandexcitingtripreleases,specialoffersplusmorepleasesubscribetoourfreee-newsletteratwww.advsouth.comOrwhynotviewpasttravellersimagesandjoininontheconversationathttp://www.facebook.com/AdventureSouthNZ

trip availabilityIfthistripseemsrightforyouthenweencourageyoutocallusnowtocheckavailability.ApopularreasontotravelwithAdventureSouthisbecauseofoursmallgroupsizes.Thesecanfillquicklysoitisimportanttocheckyouravailabilitywellinadvance.Wealwaysneedtoensureotherservices,liketrainticketsoraccommodations,arealsoavailablebeforewecanconfirmyourplaceonourtours.ToensurewecanassistyouontoyourJapaneseadventureofalifetimeweaskthatyoucheckyourtripavailabilitywithourteamatyourearliestconvenience.

how to bookTobookanAdventureSouthholiday,youcanbookdirectlyonline(http://www.advsouth.com/booking.aspx)oryouwillneedtocompleteabookingform(foundatthebackofourbrochure).youcanalsodownloadacopyfromwww.advsouth.com.Oncompletion,pleasefaxorposttheformtoAdventureSouth,alongwithyournon-refundabledeposit.Ifyou’reunsurewhatwouldbethebestoptionforyoucallusNZfreephone0800001166,AuSfreephone1800107060,

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northern islands of hokkaido by bike

Cycle highlights of the Northern Islands of Hokkaido.

important noteThesetripnotesrepresentthemost

currentinformationforthisitinerary,andmaysupersedeanyinformationinthe

currentbrochure,includingbutnotlimitedtotheitineraryandprice.Theitinerary

shouldbeseenasaguideonly.Thisitinerarymaychangeatanytimeduetoinclementweather,forcesofnatureand

othercircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.

uSAfreephone18664799827anywhereelse+6439421222oremailusonguide@advsouth.co.nz

7–©2012AdventureSouth-RachelBrownie28Mar201209:19:19

northern islands of hokkaido by bike

Cycle highlights of the Northern Islands of Hokkaido.