Escape Adventures

Name: Escape Adventures
Address: 24 Sawmill Road, Staveley, 7771, NZ
Telephone: +64 3 545 1789
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

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Escape Adventures

There’s sticking to the beaten track, and then there’s Escape Adventures. http://www.escapeadventuresnz.com
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Unforgettable Cycle Tours in New Zealand, Kenya & Tanzania, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Madagascar and Cambodia. Our philosophy is to steer clear of mainstream tourist attractions and get into the heart of the destinations we cycle tour, whether that involves yurt stays in Kyrgyzstan, homecooked dinner on a New Zealand high country station or camping with a Maasai family in Kenya. Our mission is

to get you a little out of your normal comfort zone and give you a whole heap of opportunities to have unique and personal experiences. Founded 20 years ago by John Etherington and Mandy Richards. It all began back in 1999 in Kenya & Tanzania, which is still one of our most popular cycle tours. Since then the business has grown, and we have cycle tours in seven different countries. Tom Kearney picked up the reins back in 2022 and is now the guardian of Escape Adventures. We are driven by the reward that comes with creating and leading tours that will touch your soul and stay in your memory forever! As for the cycling - you’ll need to be comfortable spending the day on your bike or able to chug your way up a hill or two, but you won’t be banging out huge kilometres. It is the adventure and the experience that is important - the bike just happens to be the best way to travel!

05/12/2024

"Where are you going?
Kyrgyzstan.
Oh, Kazakhstan.
No, Kyrgyzstan.
Hmm, where’s that?
Between China and Kazakhstan, it’s the most eastern of the Stans in Central Asia.
Oh yeah, great."
--
If you haven't already it is time for you head on over to Ground Effect Cycle Clothing and read the latest blog post by tour leader Brian Alder about his experiences on tour at at speed in Kyrgyzstan this year. Prepare to be inspired!
--
https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/blogs/news/kyrgyzstan-on-tour-and-at-speed
--

02/12/2024

It is officially summertime in New Zealand! And we are feeling ready for some awesome adventures right on our doorstep. The Marlborough Molesworth Epic is a classic loop of the top of the South Island. Taking in parts of the Tour Aotearoa and Sounds to Sounds brevet routes, you will explore back roads and cycle trails from Springs Junction to Nelson, a slice of the Marlborough Sounds, and of course ride the Molesworth Valley. We will we be pedalling this loop just once in the 24/25 season so don't miss out, March 1st - 11th 2025. Get in touch to see the full itinerary and lock in your space!
[email protected]
#

28/11/2024

The Escape office team have been loving the sunny weather and getting lots of time out on their bikes! Clare was down at Whitehorse MTB park for an enduro race, whilst Alice was riding a loop of the Great Taste Trail in Nelson last weekend. What adventures have you got planned for the summer?!

26/11/2024

When we’re not riding bikes on tour… we are visiting incredible temples, built on top of 509 steps. We’re meeting local families, growing all kinds of intriguing fruits, the one pictured is a Pamillo that we got to learn about and taste! We walk to a waterfalls for a swim in clear waters, or jump in the river. We join community organisations to help restore and protect the local forest, in Cambodia this is planting mangroves. And occasionally we’re taking a boat on a sunset cruise up the river, squeezing under a bridge on the way! Oh yes and eating, how could we forget, picnic lunches on route, delicious snacks and traditional cuisine. Over in Cambodia our second tour for the season has rolled into Phnom Penh, marking the end of our international season for 2024. Check out our stories for some more updates from the last tour, riding from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

20/11/2024

Over in Cambodia the crew have cranked out the longest day of the trip, 70km, yeehaa! There’s plenty to see along the way, with funky things for sale at roadside stalls, crazy loads travelling the road, sparkling temples and rural life going on all around (and of course lots of snacks to be had). Great work team!

18/11/2024

Our Second tour of Cambodia has started with a bang! Quite literally as we were treated to fireworks, crackers and boat racing for the water festival in Siem Reap which celebrates the end of the monsoon season. After setting up our bikes we pedalled out onto the red dirt roads towards Tonle Sap. Stopping for a iced coffee before hopping onto a boat for a tour of the floating village.

13/11/2024

And that’s a wrap! We rolled out of Kep and said goodbye to the coast, turning inland to head towards Phnom Penh. Nearly 500km cycled over the 12 days. After a bus transfer we celebrated with drinks by the pool and a lovely meal overlooking the royal palace and saw the preparations for the upcoming water festival.

11/11/2024

Kagoshima, Japan By Bike 🌸🎌
We are excited to be back at the southernmost point of Kyūshū, exploring the stunning Satsuma and Ōsumi peninsulas. Sakura (cherry blossoms) will be in full bloom and we will delve into about the strong agricultural roots of the area, pedalling past green tea plantations, radish and pongee rice fields. Our ride bounces from picturesque coastlines, to orderly rural villages and back to Kagoshima city through the lush forest that surrounds Sakurajima volcano. Enjoying a mixture of traditional ryokan (guesthouses) and more luxurious hotels, serving up a smorgasboard of local cuisine.

09/11/2024

Time flies when you're having fun! We are already over the halfway point of our Cambodia cycle tour and pushing on towards Phnom Penh 🚴‍♀️🚴 The morning of day 7 began with a walk up 509 steps up to Phnom Oudong. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it was a royal residence and Cambodia's capital for almost 250 years. Then it was time to hit the road, pedalling for 70km on wonderfully rural backroads, such a cool achievement on the journey! Taking it steady with plenty of cooling off breaks, delicious fresh fruit snacks, small villages and stunning temples to learn about on route. A couple of the guys even hopped off their bikes to help a farmer and his family load sacks of rice onto his cart.

04/11/2024

Cambodia Cycle Tour is on the road! Our first group to explore the magical kingdom of Cambodia has been settling in to the steady pace of cycle touring. We rolled through parts of the Angkor Watt temple complex and have explored a community project in Battambang, learning about traditional livelihoods and meeting local families.

01/11/2024

This could be you! Join us to explore the top of the South Island 🇳🇿
Our Marlborough Molesworth Epic Cycle Tour, March 1st 2025, has just 7 spaces left! Bring your own bike, or hire one from us. Ebikes and pedal bikes available. We will take you on an epic supported journey through off the beaten track areas, managing your accommodation, most meals and carrying your gear.

Get in touch to learn more, email: [email protected]

30/10/2024

📣 Tour Aotearoa single island only dates are LIVE!📣

Keen to explore New Zealand by bike? Ride the full length OR why not choose an Island and tick off half of this epic journey at a time.

Either way you will find your self on a fully supported adventure of a lifetime, riding the lesser travelled routes of Aotearoa and enjoying our incredible network of purpose built cycle trails. Your crew will be hauling your gear, sorting your accommodation, fuelling your ride and creating unique opportunities for you to be immersed in New Zealand's laid back and welcoming culture.

📅Tour Aotearoa North Island - February 9th - March 2nd 2026
📅Tour Aotearoa South Island - March 3rd - March 21st 2026

Get in touch for more information or with any questions you have,
📩[email protected]
📞+64 3 545 1789

25/10/2024

We offer you a different style of tour than most companies operating on the cycle trails around New Zealand. Escape Adventures is here to take you off those easily accessible tracks and into the unknown. Where the remote terrain makes it hard to find food and water on route, where you will need mapping to find your way and where km's between accommodations might be more than what you might have previously considered achievable. We provide unrivalled support for you to be able to be able challenge yourself in a safe and fun way. Completing these awesome rides without worrying about any of those logistics, and opening up the beautiful hidden parts of New Zealand (and the world) that you may have never considered cycling through.

Your tour leaders will empower you to choose when to take up a challenge and when to take a break. You will have a support van and bike trailer to link up the best backcountry riding in the area, and it is available for you to take some time off the bike whenever you feel like it. Your crew is there to fuel your ride with delicious, nutritious food that wouldn't be possible to carry yourself. One guide rides, whilst the other drives ahead, meaning we are ready to assist you with any mechanical problems. Your guiding team have years of experience in the backcountry, so rest assured your safety is their top priority. We will organise all your accommodation, create and map stunning routes that you can follow easily on your phone or personal GPS device, and offer pre tour advice and information to make your planning and preparation as smooth as possible.

When you join an Escape Adventures cycle tour, you will be meeting a small diverse group of likeminded people from around NZ/ the world, building friendships and having an epic adventure. We are here to make sure it is a unique experience that immerses you into the landscape and culture of the place you are travelling.

21/10/2024

Yeeehaa! It is week! We are so excited to be part of this years event, soaking up the vibes and cheering on the racers. Come and say hi to Clare and Alice who will have the Escape Adventures tent set up in the finish line village ready to chat bikes and adventures on two wheels!

17/10/2024

Have you been ticking through New Zealand's great rides? Ready for an adventure a little further of the beaten track? Want to see what cycle touring might feel like but not keen for all the logistics and gear carrying?

🚴Marlborough Molesworth Epic Cycle Tour is the adventure you are looking for! A stunning loop of the top of the South Island, you'll be riding parts of the classic Tour Aotearoa route, enjoying the calm of the Marlborough Sounds and immersed in the dramatic high country landscapes of the Molesworth and Awatere valleys.

🗓March 1st - 11th 2025 - Book Now - [email protected]

📣"The Marlborough Molesworth Epic was an awesome ride. It had a bit of everything in the ride ranging from easy days to challenging. Scenery was varied from the beautiful coastal sounds to Mountainous high country. The ride was well organised with great tour guides and a great group of people to ride with."

14/10/2024

Hello lovely bikers, just a quick message to let you now our emails were down for approx. the last 24 hours. They are back up and good to go. So if you have tried to send an email and it bounced please just hit resend and we will back in touch asap! Alice and the Escape Adventures Team.

11/10/2024

We are so excited to be back in Cambodia in just a couple of weeks time! One of the awesome things that happens on tour is our participation in a mangrove tree planting project. We get stuck in (literally stuck in the mud sometimes 😂) and enjoy learning about restoration efforts that are providing jobs, enhancing important ecosystems and habitats for flora and fauna and protecting the coastline from storm damage.

📣And you can still join us! Spaces available on our November 15th-27th 2024 cycle tour, get in touch or head to the website to book your spot! [email protected]

Address

24 Sawmill Road
Staveley
7771

Telephone

+64 3 545 1789

Website

http://www.escapeadventuresnz.com/

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🇰🇭 Cambodia By Bike 🗓November 15th - 27th 2024 ‼️Last chance to book Spaces are limited, so if you've been sitting on the fence it is time to jump aboard your bike and start pedalling! Get in touch; [email protected] #betterbybike #explorebybike #visitcambodia #cambodiacycletour #escapeadventuresnz #cycletouring #ElectricBicycles #activeadventures #CyclingJourney

🌏📣We are celebrating 25 years of Escape Adventures! 📣🌍 Take a look back through our history, building the very first support vehicle in Kenya 1999, discovering the joy of travelling by bike, building relationships in important places around the world, developing tours to appease our bikers adventurous appetites. Pedalling in far away hidden corners of the world, tackling challenges and always expecting the unexpected, starting new chapters and pivoting quickly. We are so proud of what Escape Adventures is, where it has come from and most of all we are VERY excited for what is coming in the future!! Lets ride bikes 🚴😃 --- Unforgettable Cycle Tours ▪️ Kenya and Tanzania ▪️ Cambodia ▪️ Japan ▪️ Madagascar ▪️ Kyrgyzstan ▪️ Colombia ▪️ New Zealand! --- Thanks to all our bikers who have joined us, often multiple times, over the years. You are the reason we are still going strong, riding bikes in amazing places and still creating unique and incredible experiences for others. --- #betterbybike #pedalon #cycletouring #explorebybike #unforgettablecycletours #escapeadventuresnz #cyclingjourneys #cyclingadventure #kenyaandtanzania #kyrgyzstan #cambodia #colombia #japan #colombia #madagascar #newzealand

Thanks to our awesome bikers who give us feedback and leave us reviews, we love to hear about your experiences! Julie, Colombia 2019: "This is the third cycle tour we have done with Escape Adventures. We keep going back for more! I will have to admit I was nervous about heading to Colombia – but I had nothing to fear. A country of friendly open people who just love cyclists and felt so welcomed by them to their country. Lots of hills but all very doable even for a chick like me. Hills allow great views. Colombia is a little more developed than the other two countries we had done the trips to – but that’s what we like, ‘different’. None of the trips have been the same. I totally recommend this one." Our next Colombia Cycle tour is scheduled for August 17th - 31st 2025, Lets GO! #colombiabybike #ExploreSouthAmerica #betterbybike #cycletouring #escapeadventuresnz #lifeontour #colourfulcolombia #wherewillyourbiketakeyounext Ground Effect Cycle Clothing

🇯🇵 J A P A N 🚲 We are so excited to have wheels rolling for our first ever Japan cycle tour, we’ve been pedalling through the picturesque Kagoshima prefecture this past week. Exploring the small towns, countryside, coastlines and parks. The cherry blossom has been popping and it’s been a blast learning about ancient history, tasting delicious food and enjoying the traditional cultural aspects of life here in Japan! #japanbybike #escapeadventuresnz #explorejapan #explorebybike #betterbybike #japantravels #kagoshima #sakura

Canterbury Peaks to Plains Cycle Tour ⛰️ A week of exploring the high country surrounding Escape Adventures base here in New Zealand. Riding on backroads, through privately accessed farmland and into the hidden corners of the region. We dodged rain, battled headwinds and faced the mountain weather head on. It only made the clear skies, tail winds and beautiful rainbows an even sweeter reward. These are the moments that truly make you appreciate the environment you are in and give you a sense of achievement like no other. #myescapeadventure #betterbybike #escapeadventuresnz #peakstoplainscycletour #nzbybike #canterburynz

The bike packing buzz is ramping up here in New Zealand and we can’t wait to get our tours on the road and join in the fun. First off the line is our fully supported Tour Aotearoa… Lets Go!!! #cycletouring #cyclingnz #nzcycletrails #betterbybike #touraotearoa #cycletournz #escapeadventuresnz #myescapeadventure

Shortcuts

Why Escape Adventures

What a world we live in. In this crazy information age, it's easy to forget the shear thrill of being somewhere extraordinary. We guarantee to reconnect you with our astounding world - countries brimming with wonderful places and people.

All our tours are our OWN tours

We personally research, create and lead all of our cycle tours. Our tours are NOT contracted out to a ground operator.

Tour leaders become friends

All our cycle tours are led by two of our own wonderful New Zealand based Escape Adventures leaders. We pride ourselves on the calibre and resourcefulness of these great people who you will be spending your holiday with. Our leaders are all passionate about biking and the outdoors, great foodies, bike fixer-uppers, trained for health support, and they are focused on making sure that your cycle tour is a fun, safe adventure of a lifetime. All of our tours also have a wonderful local support team - an interpreter and drivers who are your first hand source of local knowledge and culture.

Small but perfectly formed

You will join a fun bunch of 6-12 bikers from around the world and will travel as a relaxed, fun and intimate group that feels like a 'bunch of mates on tour'. Our personalised groups are small enough to integrate into local communities without taking over and mean that we can offer the best of ourselves and pay attention to the little things that make a difference.

Up close and personal

Getting to know the locals is always a very special and unforgettable part of our journeys. Because we've personally designed all of our tours, we've developed our own network of incredible locals, who support us, house us, feed us and love interacting with us as much as we do with them.

The Unknown

Things are going to happen that are NOT on the itinerary - we deal with all of it, and you're going to love the surprises that add real flavours to our adventure! Because we built your tour, because we travel with you and because we are experts in the field - there is nothing we cant handle.

Making a difference

A lot of people want to help developing communities, but don't know how. By supporting local accommodations, restaurants and small businesses grow with us is the best way to help.

Escape Adventures. Established 1999

We are John Etherington, Mandy Richards (& Kier) from Golden Bay in New Zealand. We are Escape Adventures. Our full time passion is creating and leading adventurous cycle tours in stunning and interesting locations around the world. We are driven by the reward that comes with creating and leading tours that will touch your soul and stay in your memory forever.

Unforgettable Cycle Tours. In Kenya, Tanzania, China, Cambodia, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan and Madagascar. http://www.escapeadventuresnz.com

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