It's on again: New-Cal Experience Tour! ........September, 2021*

Escape the winter chill and head to the Western Pacific and New Caledonia for a superb tropical cycling holiday! Experience the many different faces of New Caledonia as you comfortably pedal along the palm-fringed east coast and its many Melanesian tribu, pushed along by the typical SE trade winds.

Features
• enjoy a new South Pacific cycle touring destination, and see spectacular and remote waterfalls, mountain ranges and coastal scenery. Explore a railway corridor disused since the 1940s and could become the country's first and only rail trail.

• swim, snorkel or paddle in tropical waters of the largest coral lagoon in the world, without the worry of the nasties in Australia's tropical north.

• experience a diverse range of food and culture -Melanesian tribus and communities and the real deal French imports at supermarket prices

• ride a mix of sealed rural roads and mountain trails with low levels of traffic, and all suitable for touring or cross/bike. We ride about 50 kilometres per day mostly on sealed roads, with a maximum of 7 riders in the group led by an experienced French speaking guide with van and bike trailer support

• stay at some of the island's best accommodation; a mix higher quality gites (lodges) and hotels

Proposed 2021 itinerary (to be finalised)

Day 1: Pick up at Noumea or Tontouta Airport and transit by van and trailer a short distance to Poe Beach on the west coast. Prepare the bikes for the next day's riding then settle down to relax with the group at a dusk soiree under palms and next to the beach

Day 2: Transit over the main range of Grande Terre to the east coast and starting from a cascade. Ride about 58km along palm-fringed foreshore and coastal foothills to Poindimie. Picnic lunch at a coastal village park

Day 3: Continuing for about 68 fairly easy and undulating kilometres up and along the east coast to Hienghene. Admire the magnificent coastal scenery as you pass a number of Melanesian villages (tribu) with their roadside stalls and sculpture display and workshops.

Day 4: .Continue along a spectacular section of the east coast for about 40km which includes a unique ferry trip, towering cliffs and cascades alongside the road. Maybe a cascade swim or short bushwalk on the way. Transit return over the mountain ranges to the west coast to Gouaro Bay including lunch at a river park

Day 5: Rest day at Gouaro Bay on the west coast including a morning boat trip and snorkelling in the lagoon and over the coral reefs, and a chance to explore this interesting coastal region.

Day 6: Transit to the lovely Blue River Park and experience the unique red soil (ultramafic) landscapes, giant kauri trees and a chance to see the cagou, New Caledonia's rarely seen national bird. Riding a total of 37km along formed trails in the park and staying at the park lodge.

Day 7: Riding about 30km from the Blue River Park south to the wonderful Netcha MTB trails and view the waterfall Chutes de la Madeleine. Return to Noumea in the afternoon to experience the Anse Vata beach vibe.

Day 8: Ride 20km from Anse Vata in Noumea along their picturesque foreshore cycleway, then ride into the foothills and forest to explore the southern section of the former Noumea-Paita railway corridor - and its possible future development as a tourist rail trail. Tour concludes with a beachside drinks and dinner at Anse Vata

Day 9+: Departures by shuttle for Tontouta for those returning to Australia or further abroad, or taxi to local airport or ferry terminal for those who want to stay on to visit Isle of Pines or see more of Noumea and region

Click here for a map of the proposed 2021 tour route

Prices and Inclusions
Indicative cost for the 8 day tour will be in the range €1800 to €2000 (~AUD$2,943 to $3270)** per person with a booking deposit of AUD/NZD$600 required to secure a place and made at the same time as completing a booking form. This deposit is refundable where there are exceptional circumstances, or where th tour does not proceed (for instance where minimum numbers have not been achieved).

The ride price includes all breakfasts, evening meals and accommodation expenses; ride information; an experienced ride guide; all transits and bike box storage; van & trailer luggage carrying and support. See the full details at Inclusions

The ride price does not include air fares, which need to be booked and paid for by each rider. Return economy air fares ex Sydney or Auckland are typically AUD$600-800. Airline links are provided below.

Book your New-Cal Coasts & Kanak Experience Tour now!

Any questions? Or email; call +61 423 595 310

Timing to meet airline flights
The tour start and finish times and dates ensure that we meet your incoming and departing flights at Tontouta. If you want to arrive in New Caledonia earlier than these ride dates, or stay longer after the ride conclusion, please let us know.

Airline links:   • Aircalin Airlines     • Qantas Airlines     • Air New Zealand


Why not stay longer?
The ride dates are fixed but hey, you can stay for a longer holiday! There are plenty of enticing options to see more of New Caledonia before or after the ride such as the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands, whale watching in the South of the main island at Prony, trekking and seeing the country's amazing natural species diversity, or scuba diving over the largest lagoon in the world. Check out the information page on New Caledonia to find out about some places, people and activities to experience if you stay longer. Bike-it! Tours can prepare for you a low-cost but high value customised-itinerary, so please contact us if you are interested.

Why not hire a bike for the tour?
For the 2017 tour, all riders hired bikes rather than bringing their own with them on the flight over. We have been working with a local adventure and hire firm now for 4 years and can offer near new disc brake mountain bikes with touring tyres and rear racks and panniers for about AUD$250 for the 8 days. See the FAQs for more detail on bike hire.

* tour dates on hold at present - awaiting latest developments on Covid-19 pandemic and future easing of travel restrictions. Will confirm tour dates early 2021.

** prices include the new taxes introduced in 2018 on goods and services. Prices quoted for the ride are in Euros, with the nearest conversion to AUD/NZD current as at 20 August 2020.