Cycling Tahiti & Leeward Islands

Your Itinerary          

1: Welcome to Tahiti
We will gather at the airport as the flights from North America and Europe arrive, then transfer to our hotel in downtown Papeete. You have the day to explore town, with it's markets or perhaps relax poolside after the long flights. We will gather for orientation and dinner later in the day.
Meals: D

2: Ferry to Raꞌiatea, Warm up ride
The high-speed ferry, Aremiti 5, takes us to the leeward island group, as we start the first leg of our explorations of Polynesia. When we reach Uturoa on the island of Raꞌiatea, Polynesia's second largest city (that's not saying much, considering the entire island's population numbers only around 9000), we will pedal out to our bungalows located some 10 kilometers out of town.
Cycling: 10 mi / 15 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B,D

3: Metric Century day, Marae Taputaputea
Metric Century Day. We'll be looping the entire island of Raꞌiatea during today's ride. The only major sightseeing stop will be at Marae Taputaputea, the ancient center of Polynesian religion and believed to be the point from which the Hawaiians and Maori set sail for their future lands. Most of today's ride is paved, with a couple short stretches of good, hard packed coral sand road.
Cycling: 62 mi / 100 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B,L

4: Free day or cycle Taha'a
For folks wanting some more riding we'll catch the morning water taxi to Taha'a (at your own expense), for a ride around this rarely visited island. An island full of smiles and the common "bonjour" or "Ia Ora" make this a must for those wishing to see the real life in the Society islands. Or you can opt for a free day to lounge around.
Cycling: 43 mi / 70 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B

5: Ferry to Bora Bora
Around noon we will ride back to Uturoa to catch the ferry to Bora Bora, the fabled island that soldiers from WWII raved about in their tales of the South Pacific. The dramatic peaks in the island's center grows majestically as we sail in. A short ride puts in our hotel in late afternoon
Cycling: 12 mi / 20 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B,D

6: Cycle around Bora Bora
Compared to our loop ride on Raiatea, the loop of Bora Bora will be over all too soon, as the island has only 34 kilometers of road looping around its entirety. But we will make a leisurely day of it stopping to explore as we go.
Cycling: 21 mi / 34 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B,L

7: Free day
You have the day free to do as you please, perhaps go snorkeling in the lagoon or sign up to spend the day on one of the islets rimming the lagoon or maybe get the bike out and ride around the island again in the opposite direction.
Meals: B

8: Ferry to Huahine, cycle to Huahine-iti
We will be up before the crack of dawn as the ferry sets sail at first light, taking us back via Raiatea to the twin islands of Huahine. After arriving in Fare, the port town, we will ride to the southern tip of the smaller Huahine-Iti where our hotel awaits with its white sand beach.
Cycling: 11 mi / 17 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B,L,D

9: Twin island ride, Marae Manunu
Huahine is actually two islands enclosed by the same reef. We'll start today's ride on Huahine-Iti, looping around the other side to Maro'e Bay, before crossing over to Huahine-Nui. Here our route takes in several ancient temples, 300 year old stone fish traps that still are in use today, plus a climb up over the islands backbone before descending back to Maro'e Bay. Afternoon will find us on a leisurely coastal loop of Huahine-Iti back to our hotel.
Cycling: 34 mi / 55 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B,L

10: Ferry to Tahiti and Mo'orea
Mid-morning we will ride back to the town of Fare to catch the ferry back to the windward islands where we spend the balance of our time. Upon reaching Papeete, we will transfer to the high speed ferry to Mo'orea, then cycle to our hotel on scenic Cook's Bay.
Cycling: 18 mi / 28 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B,L,D

11: Cycling Mo'orea, Marae Titiroa, Belvedere Overlook
Today's ride is a loop of the entire island on Mo'orea pedaling hibiscus lined roads through groves of palm trees. The ride also includes a jaunt into the rugged interior to visit the historic Marae Titiroa and enjoy the spectacular view from Belvedere Overlook.
Cycling: 43 mi / 70 km, Terrain: small hills, Meals: B,L

12: Free time on Mo'orea, dinner at Papeete's Roulettes
You have the morning free to relax, then after lunch we make the short ride back to the ferry port in Vai'are and our last sea crossing back to Papeete. For dinner tonight we will explore a Papeete landmark, the Roulettes that line the docks serving any imaginable kind of food, a local's favorite. After dinner we will transfer to Fa'a'a Airport for your onward flights.
Cycling: 7 mi / 11 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B,L,D