secrets of hokkaidoalohabike.com/SOH-with_prices.pdf · Trip Duration 8 days Trip Code: SOH Grade Moderate level Activities 6 day cycle Accommodation 7 nights motel/hotel accommodation

Trip Duration 8days Trip Code: SOHGrade ModeratelevelActivities 6daycycleAccommodation 7nightsmotel/hotelaccommodation

trip highligh tsStartsandfinishesinAbashiriMemanbetsu

ontheeastcoastofHokkaidoCycle-friendlyruralroadsandcyclingpaths

StunningviewsofcalderalakesCyclinginShiretokoNationalPark,WorldHeritage

Explorethenorthernislands,undiscoveredcyclingparadiseStayingattraditionalJapaneseinnswithhotspringsonsite

ExperienceHokkaido’sfreshseafoodorientalcuisinesOptionalcycletourintheancientcityofKyoto

Kia Ora from Adventure SouthThankyouforyourinterestinourSecretsofHokkaidoadventure.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-RachelBrownie28Mar201209:22:26

secrets of hokkaido

secrets of hokkaidoDevised and researched by Ayaka (our in-house staff from

Hokkaido) this is an awesome 8 day cycle tour of Japan’s popular cycle destination on the northern island of Hokkaido.

the tripHokkaidoatthenorthernedgeofJapanoffersfantasticopportunitiesforadventureseekers.Hokkaidomaybebestknownfortheexcellentsnowconditions,buttherearesecretsthatarerevealedonlyinsummer.TheheavysnowfallinwinteriswhatmakesHokkaidoroadssowideandsmooth,providingperfectconditionsforroadcycling.Theroadsaremaintainedregularly(virtuallyeverysummer)andbuiltwithamplespacetohousethesnow.Theharshwinteralsomeanslesspopulation,trafficandgoodfood,everythingyouwishforinacycletouringdestination!TheoceansurroundingHokkaidoisblessedwithbountifulseafood,attractingmanyfoodloversalloverthecountry.Asavolcanicallyactivecountry,Japanhasthousandsofnaturalhotspringsscatteredovertheland,butit’sHokkaidowhereyoufindmanyoutdoorpoolssetinthebeautifulnaturalenvironment.Sowhatelse?Comeandfindmoresecretsyourself!Wehighlyrecommendour2nightsextensionoptioninKyoto,includingadaycyclingthroughabambooforest,rockgarden,ZentempleandtheGoldenPavilion.This8daySecretsofHokkaidoitineraryisalsoavailableasaself-guidedtour.PleasecontactAyakaatAdventureSouthformoredetails.

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

at a glanceDay 1 MEETINGINABASHIRIDay 2 ABASHIRITONOTOROMISAKIlOOPRIdEDay 3 ABASHIRITOlAKEKuSSHARO-KODay 4 lAKEKuSSHARO-KOTONAKASHIBETSuDay 5 NAKASHIBETSuTORAuSuDay 6 RAuSuTOuTORODay 7 uTOROTOABASHIRIDay 8 ABASHIRIFINISH

what’s included 7 breakfasts and 6 evening meals 7 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

detailed itineraryDay 1 Meeting in abashiriWe meet about 6pm at our hotel in Abashiri near the station. After a tour briefing & introduction we stroll the city of Abashiri and have a welcome dinner in town. Abashiri is the largest city in the east


trip dates

2012 26 Jun - 03 Jul 22 Jul - 29 Jul 19 Aug - 26 Aug 09 Sep - 16 Sep

trip costJoining Abashiri Base cost: NZD$4125 /

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.




coast of Hokkaido and is famous for the winter attraction ryuhyo, the huge ice that has drifted down from Amur River. Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, and Abashiri Prison Museum are the popular sights in Abashiri, all accessible by bus. Accommodation: Hotel/Ensuitemeals: d

Day 2 abashiri to Notoro Misaki loop rideAfter bike fitting and safety briefing we head out to Notoro Misaki. Leaving the town we soon hit the Okhotsk Sea and ride along the coastline, passing by a few temples and fishing village. A short gradual hill towards the cape is a good preparation for tomorrow’s ride. The Notoro Misaki lookout sees the ocean panorama, and thereafter awaits a pleasant downhill towards Lake Notoro. We cycle the lakeside road around Lake Notoro, which then links onto the cycling path to Abashiri. Tonight we go out to our favourite restaurant and try out okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) prepared & cooked right in front of your eyes! Accommodation: Hotel/EnsuiteCycling distance – 50km/31milesAltitude gain – 100m/330ftmeals: b

Day 3 abashiri to Lake Kussharo-koFrom Abashiri we head south to a beautiful caldera, Lake Kussharo-Ko via Bihoro Pass, which looks over the lake and surrounding mountains. At the top of the pass we have lunch at the rest house and then enjoy riding the downhills to the shore of Lake Kussharo-Ko. It is the second largest lake in Hokkaido, one of the three lakes in the Akan National Park. The area is known for its abundant hot springs due to the volcanic activities. We have a brief stop at Sunayu, a popular foot spa site on the shores of Lake Kussharo-Ko. Tonight’s accommodation is located on the lakeside of Kussharo-Ko.Accommodation: Minshuku/Share Bathroom/OnsenCycling distance - 75km/46milesAltitude gain - 500m/1640ftmeals: b,d

Day 4 Lake Kussharo-ko to NakashibetsuToday we continue cycling along Lake Kussharo-Ko, which takes us to an active volcano Iozan “Sulphur Mountain”. It erupted about 600 years ago, but is still steaming and reeking of sulphur! After a gradual but long uphill, we reach the lookout of Lake Mashu-Ko, known to have the highest level of clarity in the world. The high cliffs surrounding Mashu-Ko prevents people from going down to the lakeshore, which is believed to help protect the water quality up to present. Most of the time the lake is covered with mist, but if we are lucky we will be able to view the emerald-coloured lake surface. The rest of cycling section is easy, downhill and flat into the farming area of Nakashibetsu.Accommodation: Minshuku/Share Bathroom/OnsenCycling distance – 75km/46mileAltitude gain - 700m/2300ftmeals: b,d

Day 5 Nakashibetsu to RausuThis morning we ride through farmlands, enjoying the changing scenery as we approach Shiretoko Peninsula, known as the last unexplored region of Japan. We cycle along the east coast of the Peninsula, heading to our today’s destination, a small fishery village called Rausu. Famous for its

fast factsPrivate Groups:

Privategroupoptionsareavailableforthistrip*

Singles:Asinglesupplementisavailableforthistrip*

Leader:Expertlocalleader

*Askourstaffformoreinformation




sea kelp production, it’s here that you can also enjoy fresh seafood and king crab. This afternoon, you have an option to ride or drive a further 20km along the coast to a secluded onsen Aidomari, offering a perfect seaside setting.Accommodation: Ryokan/EnsuiteCycling distance – 65-105km / 40-65mileAltitude gain - 200m/660ftmeals: b,d

Day 6 Rausu to UtoroFrom Rausu, we cycle the Shiretoko Crossroad to the other side of the Peninsula. It is approx. 16km to the top, gradual & long but a scenic ride with a spectacular view of Mt Rausu, the highest peak in the Shiretoko Mountain Range. After a leisurely downhill and lunch at the Shiretoko Nature Centre we make a side trip to Iwaobetsu Onsen, natural rock pools surrounded by trees. By the mid afternoon we head off to our accommodation in Utoro, the gateway to explore the Shiretoko National Park.Accommodation: Ryokan/Ensuite/OnsenCycling distance – 65km/40mileAltitude gain - 1000m/3280ftmeals: b,d

Day 7 Utoro to abashiriWe continue riding along the coast and enter into farmlands again. The long straight roads travel through potato farms, which will be in full bloom in early July. We have a brief stop at Koshimizu Gensei-Kaen (Koshimizu Wild Flower Reserve), where about 40 kinds of flowers bloom in spring and summer. We finish our ride back in Abashiri, at a different accommodation near the Lake Abashiri this time, where an outdoor onsen awaits you with a spectacular view of Lake Abashiri.Accommodation: Ryokan/Ensuite/OnsenCycling distance – 90km/56mileAltitude gain - 200m/660ftmeals: b,d

Day 8 abashiri finishThe Secrets of Hokkaido Cycle tour finishes after breakfast today, with a transport to airport/station in the morning. If you are continuing to cycle with us on the Northern Islands of Hokkaido tour, today is your rest day in Abashiri. 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.


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,thealtitude,thenumberofpasscrossings

andthelengthofthetrip.TheSecretsofHokkaidoisgradedmoderate.Youwillneedareasonableleveloffitnessandwesuggest60minutesofaerobictypeexercise,(either

cyclingorjogging)threetimesaweekforthethreemonthsleadinguptoyourtrip.The

tourisfullysupportedandifatanystageyoufeellikehavingarestfromcyclingyou

willbeabletorideinthesupportvehicle.

adventure travelByitsverynatureadventuretravelinvolves

anelementoftheunexpected.Togetthemostoutofyouradventureitisimportantthatyouarementallyflexible,positiveand

eagertotakeonallthechallengesthatarise.Ifyouareuncertainaboutyoursuitability

forthistripwerecommendthatyouspeakwithyourconsultantortravelagent.



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.

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:althougheveryendeavourismadetostayattheaccommodationdetailedintheitinerary,duetoseasonalshortagesoccasionally,weneedtouseotheraccommodationofasimilarstandard.

pre and post tour accommodationIfyouwouldlikesomehelpbookingpre/posttouraccommodationspeaktoAyaka([email protected])asshecanhelpwithdifferentsuggestions.

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

what’s not included Airfare 8 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.Wealwaysneedtoensure




important noteThesetripnotesrepresentthemost

currentinformationforthisitinerary,andmaysupersedeanyinformationinthe

currentbrochure,includingbutnotlimitedtotheitineraryandprice.Theitinerary

shouldbeseenasaguideonly.Thisitinerarymaychangeatanytimeduetoinclementweather,forcesofnatureand

othercircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.

otherservices,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,uSAfreephone18664799827anywhereelse+6439421222oremailusonguide@advsouth.co.nz




Documents

secrets of hokkaidoalohabike.com/SOH-with_prices.pdf · Trip Duration 8 days Trip Code: SOH Grade Moderate level Activities 6 day cycle Accommodation 7 nights motel/hotel accommodation