Cycle Samoa
Life Changing Adventures
Overview
Think tropical paradise, white beaches, palm trees, rainforests, reefs and crystal clear waters. That is the beautiful country of Samoa. Located a few hours from Fiji in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Samoa is home to some of the best tropical experiences on the planet.
Slow travel by bicycle is the best way to explore this beautiful country, as we cycle around both major islands, Upolu and Savai’i. Along the way, we’ll have the chance to swim, snorkel, surf, dive or kayak in the clear blue sea. We’ll swim in a giant sea trench, waterfalls and reefs.
Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local grassroot Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and the beneficiaries of a funded project of your choosing. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a tour that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and site seeing.
2018
March 18 to March 25
May 20 to May 27
July 1 to July 8
August 19 to August 26
Features & inclusions
- Social Impact
- NGO Partners
- Beach Huts
- Hosts
- Food
- Bikes
- Support Van
- Cycling Distances
- Group Size
- Tour Inclusions









- 8 nights fale accommodation
- Bicycle & helmet hire
- One tour facilitator plus engagements from local experts
- Support vehicle for the ride
- Three NGO presentations with local staff across Samoa
- Multiple field trips to villages and communities
- Entry to To Sua Ocean Trench and Togitogiga Waterfall
- 8 dinners & 8 breakfasts
- Farm to plate cooking experience in a local homestay on an organic farm and much more.
Itinerary
Arriving in Apia
Depending on what part of the world you’re flying in from, we’ll take today to rest, relax and settle in to Apia, the countries capital. We will arrange a transfer from the airport to greet you (along with a local ukulele trio) and transfer you to your accommodation. In Apia, we will be staying in either a guesthouse or hotel. As the group arrives, we’ll join in the evening for dinner after getting fitted for our bikes. If you’ve got time during the day, you can visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum or the very impressive Mary Cathedral.
Our first NGO, a small mountain climb and a beach hut
After breakfast, we’ll spend an hour or two learning about Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) and the role they play within the community. This is a great insight into local culture and how traditions and new world government can positively co-exist. After an early lunch, we’ll make our way towards Vavau via the north coast of Upolu. After about 30km of flat coastline, we start our ascent over to the south coast of the island. A 290m elevation stretched out over 5km makes for one of the harder segments of the trip. We’ll take plenty of time to rest (stop for photo’s!) or you can take the option of the support van. For every hill that goes up, we must come down so you’ll find the last 10-15km very relaxing! In the evening we’ll enjoy our first fale and some sunset swimming in the crystal blue sea.
To Sua Ocean trench, Togitogiga Waterfall and Poutasi Development Trust
Arguably the most magical natural swimming pool in the world, To Sua trench is the ultimate paradise. We’ll arrive in the early morning to increase our chances of having this oasis to ourselves. Once refreshed and having reached the town of Poutasi, we’ll meet the leaders from the Poutasi Development Trust and learn about their community educational programs in regards to agriculture. We’ll also have a chance to visit prior CERES projects in the form of a BioGas digester. A short ride later and we’ll venture onto Togitogiga Waterfall within Le Pupu-Pu’e National Park, a beautiful swimming hole at the foot of a majestic waterfall. By early afternoon, we should reach our evening’s destination with plenty of time to watch the sun set over the volcanic rock pools.
Another small climb, a ferry crossing to Savai’i & Women in Business
The 35k cycle to the ferry terminal takes us through some small villages, beautiful beaches and a reasonable climb over the mountain pass. Our ferry departs at midday and brings us to Savai’i just after 1pm. Once we’ve settled into a Lagoon Resort, we’ll spend a couple of hours learning about the non profit social enterprise, Women in Business Development Inc (WIBDI). This fantastic organization brings local farmers to the international stage, with products such as locally grown coconut oil and cocoa reaching markets all over the world.
Coastal cycling, sun lounging and organic cocoa farms
From our beautiful resort in Salelologa, we’ll make our way north to Manase through the jungle corridor near the coast. Along the way we’ll have the opportunity to stop and explore the lava and the remains of the LMS Church after the 1905 volcanic eruption. Once we’re at Manase, you can relax in your fale on the white sands or upgrade to a motel. Along the way we’ll engage with the local farming community on an organic cocoa plantation. This is a hands on opportunity to discover how cocoa turns to chocolate.
Scuba diving, snorkeling and sunsets
Dive Savai’i and other outlets offer snorkkelling tours and scuba diving experiences for licensed divers.
Coconut plantation, organic farm to plate cooking class in local homestay
On our way out of Falealupo, we cycle through some of the most pristine scenery in all of Samoa. On the way to Taga, we’ll have the opportunity to meet a local coconut plantation and learn how they make coconut oil. In the evening, we’ll meet Rachel and her family at their organic farm on volcanic rock. We’ll forage for ingredients, build an umu and make our own dinner through traditional Samoan cooking methods. This is the ultimate organic farm to plate experience.
Cycle off Savai’i to the airport
This is our last day together in the Samoan paradise. If you’ve arranged to spend a few more days lazing on the beach or exploring the underwater paradise with your mask and snorkel, then we’ll arrange to get you where you need to go. The group will be making the way back to the ferry along the south coast of Savai’i by either cycle or van depending on airport commitments.
Where we ride
We cover both islands in our cycle around Samoa, starting in Apia and finishing with a lap of the beautiful Savai’i. There’s a few points where the mountains come to the coast, but the days are short in distance, time is on our side and a beach is never far away to rest.