What a magical place. A memory I will never forget. Starting our cycle adventure in Nairobi, through the African savanna, arriving at the Amboseli national park with Kilimanjaro towering above us. I thought could it get any better… OMG yes! Camping next to a Maasai village. Wow, what a ride passing elephants and giraffes. Cycling by villages of the Maasai Steppe, beautiful big smiles welcoming us, all wanting to meet and say Jumbo. The astounding views, friendly people, roaming animals, accommodations, and biking with new friends. Absolutely amazing. Fabulous memories of beautiful friendly, welcoming and often astounded faces. It was the best 555km of cycling ever. It really is the best way to see real Africa.
The Kenya Tanzania Escape Adventure was fantastic. I would do it again and highly recommend it if you want to experience wild-life in the wild, the people, and the culture! It was Kiwi style experience in Africa; fun, everyone pitching in and something new every day. Our group size was small which made it so much more personal. Camping meant we were off the beaten track, meeting locals and the food produced from the back of the “Beast”, our support truck, excellent. Their custom made bikes were easy to use, comfortable and well maintained. A truly memorable experience with wonderful guides.
Joey and I had the most incredible trip to Kenya and Tanzania during June of 2019. The information and helpfulness from Mandy in the office, to the actual bike tour with John and the crew, is a testament to them offering an experience of a lifetime and living up to it. We felt we had an authentic African experience – can’t get much more real than waiting for giraffes to cross the track and watching tribesmen herd their goats in to the village for the night at sunset. Next on the list is Madagascar with Escape Adventures of course!
I had a fantastic kind of once in a lifetime cycling trip through Kenya and Tanzania with Escape Adventures. The unique advantage they provided to me was going to remote places and villages to meet local people and see their way of life. We were often the only European looking people for days. Plus the wildlife close-up such as huge elephants coming up to our truck. But the best was cycling along this dirt track in the middle of nowhere and having to stop to give way to a family of giraffes intent on keeping on their way regardless of we cyclists!
I booked with Escape Adventures an amazing biking holiday through Kenya and Tanzania…it was well organised, guides were amazing, they took us places we would never have gone before. Absolutely loved it! I also did 2 days on Timber Trail with them…it was fabulous. They are professional, positive, fun..can’t recommend them enough.
Did a mountain bike tour from Kenya to Tanzania and had a ball. Everything was well taken care of and lots of fun had. Clearly it would have taken a long time to find the route we travelled. Would do another tour with these guys anytime.
Any adventure that is linked with some challenges, taking you out of your comfort zone is usually connected with that great word…”Rewarding”! To see parts of Africa at bike level & bike speed, interacting with locals, children & wildlife was just amazing. I’ll be hard pressed to get in a safari vehicle again, especially as my bike was sooo good, mine at home is going on the verge! Great food, Tim, Theresa and Joseph were organised, relaxed & clearly in sync with each other…& Africa! I’d do it again tomorrow!
We absolutely enjoyed our cycling tour with Escape Adventures and the communication with Mandy planning the trip has been perfect. Our tour leaders worked hard throughout the entire trip and did everything possible to make our tour exciting and fulfilling.
My thanks to the Escape Adventures team for the most wonderful trip I had recently in Kenya and Tanzania. What a well-organised trip you guys have put together – full on and experience plus. I cannot praise Perryn and Alice enough. What a well-oiled machine they both were and how hard they worked. They worked together incredibly well, were always smiling and always supportive. No mean feat with 12 personalities to deal with and the uncertainties that Africa can throw. Nothing fazed them and we were incredibly well looked after and feed. You guys are awesome… and get a bouquet from me! The biking came with many challenges, but what a truly remarkable and rewarding way to travel, experience and share. If you are thinking of a bike trip – I cannot recommend Escape Adventures more highly. Cheers to the whole team Kenya/Tanzania – Mandy, John, Perryn, Alice, Joseph and of course, Smiley!
As a young woman of 70+ years I have thoroughly enjoyed my recent Kenya & Tanzanian cycle tour. It was unforgettable adventure from dawn to dusk! On the bike we explored areas far from the beaten tourist track and visited places only known to the locals. Accommodation upgrades along the route was an added bonus and I explored them all. Age is not a barrier to go but you must enjoy adventures, and surprises and not be daunted by the unexpected. All along the way, our very competent tour leaders were our guides, cooks, mechanics, decision makers and encouragers. It has been a wonderful experience to taste Africa this way!
To the amazing Escape Adventure team. Hope your New Zealand tours are going along well. If they are anything like the two tours I have been on with you guys, (Kenya/Tanzania and China/Tibet) they will be amazing well run trips. These guys know how to run great safe and enjoyable tours. For a small New Zealand Nelson based company they really punch above their weight. Well done Mandy and John. I cannot recommend these guys highly enough. Great company, Great Leaders, Great Fun. Don’t just think about it do it. Cheers Guys.
Why do we go to Africa? To experience something completely different from our comfortable civilized lives. After reviewing the available African cycling tours, this one looked like the best opportunity to see real Africa. Cycling is far from normal tourist venues, on remote paved roads. This trip covers it all, two major game parks, and wildlife along the ride. Amazing sights, plains full of acacia trees, gazelle, giraffes, impressive mountains, rain forests to beautiful tropical beaches. The tour ends in the incredibly historic town of Bagamoyo (slave trade, explorers, colonialism, World War I… so I added another day tour here) The bike tour support is excellent. The well-designed support truck takes care of gear luggage, bikes, kitchen, water and people, and is also available particularly helpful for me at age 75. The camping gear is comfortable. Food is tasty and nutritious. See my trip diary and photos here https://www.flickr.com/photos/141342231@N04/collections/72157710651291696/
Absolutely loved our Kenya/Tanzania July/August 2019 cycle trip. Such an awesome life-changing experience. Our crew (Joseph, Perryn and Alice) were fantastic and helped to make this experience so memorable. Loved their banter and laughter. Learnt and saw so so much (such a huge variety each day experiencing new things). The crew never failed to surprise us every day. The food coming out of “The Beast” was incredible-always fresh and plentiful. The people, places, and interaction with local villages were soul touching. Such an awesome way to really get to see and feel how the locals lived. I would totally recommend this experience with Escape Adventures for those wanting an epic cycling adventure and meeting locals at grass root levels. Thank you Escape Adventures for this fabulous experience.
Just to express our thanks to the Escape Adventures team for creating such a fabulous trip. You really have done an amazing job of putting together all the aspects that make for such a memorable adventure. John and the two new guides – Alice and Perryn – were the best. A great way to connect with a foreign country and its people, nature and an interesting group of fellow adventurers who love to be on a bike! We’re not usually group trip people but this adventure was one I wouldn’t miss!
Hi to all the prospective travellers! I assume you have a wonder lust… Well lucky you you have arrived at the best!!! I have done 3 cycle tours with Escape Adventure and I really cannot put into words all I have seen. I’m not a person who likes going to places that are typical tourist spots… that said I do enjoy a certain comfort level, and I also enjoy people. Escape Adventures trips tick every box for me. The places I have seen the lifelong friends I have made and getting the opportunity to see how people live in the world is for me is priceless. I’m not going to ramble on but I do urge you to book a trip (put your toe in the water!) give these guys a go you will be safe, comfortable and amazed at how good these trips will be. Hopefully, I’ll meet you on my next trip, and there will be more trips for me. Hasta lueago amigos.
Asante sana Escape Adventures we really loved the Kenya to Tanzania tour 2018. We wanted to do something a bit more adventurous to celebrate turning 50, this tour was that and so much more. A wonderful tour that made discovering Africa so enjoyable. The best experiences, stunning scenery, amazing wildlife, great camping spots and accommodation, fantastic tour leaders who looked after us and fed us sooo well, the best driver and a great bunch of fellow riders. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are definitely keen to escape to another destination in the future!
If I marked it out of 10 I would give it a 12! Just back from the last Kenya/Tanzania tour… absolutely amazing. Jason and Emma, what an amazing couple to have as leaders, Jason runs a great safe tour and is very clear on the way it runs and how to keep everyone safe. Top marks mate. Emma, the amazing Emma. The food she cooks out of the back of the truck is unbelievable, fresh and tasty. You rock girl. Joseph my Kenyan brother and driver. Very professional and lots of fun. Cheers to you bro. Smiley is the happiest man on the planet. The ride from the airport to camp was so much fun. Keep smiling mate you crack me up. To the crew thanks for making a great trip. We all got on so well, the pranks etc were funny. Cheers. Mandy and John you run an amazing company and tours. I will definitely be back for another. Keep it up. Adventures of a lifetime. Thanks Escape Adventures.
Our group of 4 have completed two Escape Adventures cycle tours first to Madagascar in 2018 and last year to China & Tibet. Grant thoroughly recommends Escape Adventures. It’s an adventure and you never know what the day brings . Resourceful guides and fellow cyclists who you bond into a team with. I’m definitely planning more adventures with Escape Adventures.
I have been on two group mountain biking tours with escape Adventures, one to Madagascar and the other to Tibet/China. On both of these trips we went to remote areas of the countryside and had great interaction with the people. The organization and experience was extremely good and very well led. I was one of the older persons of the group but didn’t feel out of place at any stage.
“Escape Adventures team Mandy & John, once again thank you for another amazing bike tour in Madagascar. It was again epic, fun, challenging, eye-opening, sad, full-filling and incredible – all at the same time. The total experience was further enhanced by Escape Tour Leaders, Leigh & Ian, together with your local Team who were all so lovely and supportive.”
I found the trip very enjoyable because it was well organised with good bikes and tour leaders. We participated in a diverse range of activities as well as sights while touring, and found it easy to interact with the local people especially. By the end of the trip we had bonded as a friendly group.
My wife and I did a memorable cycling tour across Madagascar with Escape Adventures. The organisation was good, the itinerary was well thought out, the tour leaders were top notch and the local support crew terrific. It was fun from start to finish and really was a great adventure. I highly recommend Escape Adventures to anyone.
I have traveled with Escape Adventure for 3 bike trips. They are super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I’ve always felt safe with them. Escape Adventures trips and they never disappoint. They offer a great combination of travel, cultural immersion and amazing activities and the small groups means you will get to know your fellow travellers quickly and easily. Looking forward to my next trip with them! I highly recommend to my friends and family, and you!
I think this has been our favourite Escape cycle tour of the 4 we’ve done. Challenging biking, lovely hot weather, variety of scenery and activities with the boat trip thrown in and a couple of nights camping on a sandbank to break up the hotel stays. Loved the villages and stopping for our 40c coffees with an audience of village folk. Gotta reccommend this trip to anyone who wants to see Madagascar up close and personal from the comfort of a bike.
This is a review of Escape Adventures, based in Nelson, New Zealand. I have done 3 tours with this family-run cycling company. The first one was in Madagascar in 2018 and then two in 2019: Fiji Islands and Tibet, China. I have prebooked another tour in 2021 in Kenya/Tanzania, and Africa. This says it all! I have done many international tours in the past 20 years such as Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Denmark, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Cuba 5 times, Costa Rica, and Hawaii 3 times. Escape Adventures surpasses them in their organizational skills, adventure, and cultural experiences.
I have traveled with Escape Adventure for 3 bike trips. They are super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I’ve always felt safe with them. Escape Adventures trips and they never disappoint. They offer a great combination of travel, cultural immersion and amazing activities and the small groups means you will get to know your fellow travellers quickly and easily. Looking forward to my next trip with them! I highly recommend to my friends and family, and you!
I have traveled with Escape Adventure for 3 bike trips. They are super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I’ve always felt safe with them. Escape Adventures trips and they never disappoint. They offer a great combination of travel, cultural immersion and amazing activities and the small groups means you will get to know your fellow travellers quickly and easily. Looking forward to my next trip with them! I highly recommend to my friends and family, and you!
Madagascar was fantastic and the Escape Adventures team did an outstanding job – as per usual. Leigh led us brilliantly and everything went superbly. I loved the whole trip and biking is definitely the way to interact with the local people in the best way – no glass in between the riders and the people, slow speeds (well, I was amazingly fast! but the rest of the group were pretty slow), easy to stop and ‘chat’ (the schoolboy French was useful), and they were such fun to be with.
A great trip to a very poor country. The people were fascinated by seeing cyclists. They were very friendly and welcoming. Some awesome scenery and some long days, but great diversity. We saw Lemurs in the wild as well as in the Lemur park. The guides and drivers were great and overall a very worthwhile experience.
“Lemurs, just like Mandy and John, Cycle Guides and Local Support team are playful, delightful and loads of fun. You won’t find them (the lemurs) anywhere else in the world but Madagascar. You won’t find out until you go there so join the queue, get as fit as you can, learn a bit of French (so you can read the menus and converse with the folk who live in the hills and down at the coast among the baobabs) and be prepared for some unusual and unexpected experiences. It’s challenging but worth the effort – worth every penny of 100,000 ariarys (that’s about $3 USD and it’s actually worth a bit more than that).”
Well done to the Escape Adventures team! A perfect balance of physical adventure and personal challenge. I never thought I would learn a new sand biking skill at 65 years! Your attention to detail, from Mandy and her super prompt response to emails to Leigh saying ‘have a donut’ with your mid morning roadside coffee, to the reminder from Mushi to ride on the RIGHT side of the road! Ongoing information of the next step in our holiday, individual and team chat, delicious picnic lunches, along with lemur table cloth! Even after the tour was offically finished, Escape Adventures has organised a taxi for us!! Our tour leaders were so conscientious, however giving us independence at the the same time! I was impressed with their care and attention to each individual. I’ll keep spreading the work about you in my Escape Adventures bike shirt! Happy Days!
Madagascar was something else! Was I a rock-star or a comic? This lady on a mountain bike bought joy and much laughter to many isolated villagers in central Madagascar. Madagascans gave me joy and inspiration. I was on an intrepid journey. Their villages have no water or electricity, use oxen or personal strength for transport of goods/water and they cultivate. The communities living this humble lifestyle are safe, loving and happy culture, and seem stress free. Their philosophy (so I was told): “If you smile on the outside, you smile on the inside…and all is well”. In Madagascar we stepped back in time, in a safe environment, supported by Escape Adventures. We enjoyed the physical challenges and made special new friends within our biking group. I am so lucky to experience supportive adventure tourism it has added spice to my life.
I wanted to save some accolades and adjectives, firstly for those who designed the trip – I understand to be mostly John… It was so very imaginative, thoughtful, thorough, sensible and exciting. It must have taken a swag of work, a bit of luck and tenacity. The river trip will do as an example – the right length [48 hours roughly over three days], a strangely functional craft, resourceful running repairs, acceptably comfortable conditions compared to a pirogue, great food that arrived from somewhere, a beautiful waterfall for ablutions, Madagascar river life playing out during the day and two semi-organised concerts on the river banks by night. Just magic!
I also want to acknowledge the way in which Leigh and Ian gave us [or didn’t give us] information. Knowing what to expect really matters, and Leigh in particular would methodically parcel out information and advice in a timely and planned manner. But they both withheld information too, we had loads of welcome surprises, and we never really knew what the day would bring. That is a skill, and they both have it. Thank you guys. You run a mighty fine outfit
My Namibia cycle tour was the trip of a lifetime. I’ve done lots of travelling, but this cycle tour would’ve been impossible without the planning and contacts of EA, and the support of the tour leaders and truck. We were so far off the beaten track that some days only 1 or 2 vehicles passed us. Deserts, campfires, amazing sunrises, bakeries, wildlife (elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetah, rhino!), historic sites and the chance to spend time with Namibians in love with their country. Sure, some days were a bit hot (or cold!), and the roads were sometimes sandy or corrugated (or both), but there was usually a refreshing pool and cold drink at the end of the day. I can’t wait to sign up for my next trip.
I lost my traditional travel mate at 59 and the concept of cycle touring in a small group gave me the confidence to travel again. I borrowed a bike, trained, and began a travel journey that changed my life. I am a very satisfied, a repeat client of Escape Adventures (8 trips in 14 years; one in NZ). I love exploring tiny villages in out–of–the–way places. They demonstrate the true character of a country’s society. Briefly, I become part of that village and each night I sleep in the “best hotel in town”. I follow talented, local, well-informed guides while the leaders of Escape Adventures are mindful of my welfare. The follow-up bus is always there should I run out of steam. Every day is a new adventure; a mystery to be revealed and an achievable challenge for the taking. We learn to “expect the unexpected”. An element of a pleasant surprise is part of the Escape Adventures journey. Mandy makes preparation and administration stress-free and her communications wind you up in a very positive way. Anticipating my next adventure with Escape Adventures has encouraged me to keep biking, keep fit and keep healthy. Another NZ adventure is my next plan.
For me, this Cycling Tour was the most amazing & culturally diverse experience ever. Our group of ten NZ cyclists all loved the tour, while having so much fun and keeping fit. I personally really enjoyed the biking, although a bit challenging with the rough roads & altitude, but all doable. It was so great to be out in the country air on our bikes, soaking up the local culture, which is fascinating. The landscape is BIG and very diverse and beautiful. The Kyrgyz people are soulful, generous and very honest. I found that really interesting given their past history under communist rule. The accommodation was variable – tents, Yurts and guest houses – all really good. The food was fresh and delicious. John is obviously a pro at what he does as tour guide, because he managed to smooth over any issues & problems without us ever knowing (we’d hear later) – he’s got an awesome sense of humor, and full of surprises. Bruce (new as tour guide and awesome) was very efficient at changing flatties, and sorting out any bike issues. I highly recommend this tour.
I’ve now done both the Kyrgyzstan and China trips with Escape Adventures. Both times I’ve done the trips with Dad. They’ve both been very well organised and really take you off the beaten track. Both trips have taken us to some amazing spots and biking there means you really get to experience the place and it’s people. I would definitely recommend Escape Adventures to anyone wanting to experience well organised bike touring in some amazing less trodden places =)
Hi to all the prospective travelers! When you check out the Escape Adventure website I assumed that you have a wonder lust. Well lucky you you have arrived. I have done three trips with Escape Adventure and I really cannot put into words all I have seen. I’m not a person who likes going to places that are typical tourist spots…that said I do enjoy a certain comfort level, I also enjoy people. Escape Adventures trips tick every box for me. The places I have seen the life long friends I have made and getting the opportunity to see how people live in the world is for me is priceless. I’m not going to ramble on but I do urge you to book a trip (put your toe in the water) give these guys a go you will be safe, comfortable and amazed at how good these trips will be. Hopefully, I’ll meet you on my next trip, and there will be more trips for me. Hasta lueago amigos.
Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country. I took great photos of the mountains, valleys and farming lifestyle. However, the best you cannot catch on film. This is the warmth of the people; particularly those in the isolated mountain valleys where John and his team led us. Beautiful families who made us welcome and showed us how much they valued their family lifestyle and so wanted to share hospitality, humour and time with us. We felt that we were the first ever tourist to have biked past their yurt.
Excellent personal care, clear and concise daily briefings, great bike care, good food and timely sharing of protocol, finance and personal expectations in this new country. I always felt comfortable and was given the guidelines to cope in a new culture. The enthusiasm and warmth of both leaders made this another special Escape Adventures journey.
One of the absolute highlights of my life was my Escape Adventures Cambodia tour in 2019. Extremely professional, great communication leading up to the tour and everything throughout the tour exceeded my expectations. Each day was fill of great company, fantastic riding, friendly locals, delicious food and all supported by an amazing team of tour guides and local guides. Can’t wait to do Cape2Cape Aotearoa with Escape in 2021.
“Call it enlightenment. Tell us travel broadens the mind. Encourage us to believe that a fortnight’s bike ride in ever so friendly Cambodia will be flat, for oldies and softies, and with no camping. Some people will believe almost anything. Even from John and Mandy! Well actually, most of all this was surprisingly true.
The whole Cambodian experience, in bearable heat and humidity, on muddy, potholed tracks and through major roadworks ahead, from Seam Reap to Phnom Penh, via Tonle Sap Lake – by boat not bike – floating villages, silk and pepper farms, not to mention a picnic on Rabbit Island, a 509-step climb before sunrise – on foot not bike – a bone-rattling “bamboo train” journey, oh, and a few temples… one was both broadened and enlightened, and probably a tiny bit fitter by Day 12.
Everyone in Cambodia rides gently and calmly on their bicycles, motor-cycles or tuk-tuks. And to be among them, pedalling through towns and markets carefully avoiding dogs, cattle, bustling stalls, is both friendly and delightful indeed. Being in the midst of it all, experiencing Cambodian daily life, is an unforgettable experience. Awesome!
Advice to anyone else considering a Cambodian trip? Wear old, mud-resistant clothes. Like rice, both in the field and on the plate, and coconut ditto. Be prepared for toe-nibbling fish, not to mention frequent massages, manicures, pedicures, haircuts – all part of the very hidden agenda. And note Cambodia’s two basic rules of the road: 1. Drive on the right, at least some of the time; 2. Just go (what’s in front will politely give way and what’s behind doesn’t matter).”
The biking was excellent. The primary challenge was provided by the conditions (30 degrees, high humidity, no breeze, rough roads). Riding generally provided the main source of cooling by creating our own breeze in riding through the otherwise still air. The riding itself was primarily on flat to almost flat surfaces apart from road imperfections such as generally rough unmade roads and numerous potholes. These added to the enjoyment of the tour. The cycles were perfectly well suited for the conditions, and full credit is due to the tour guides Leigh and Ian (including their highly competent Cambodian on-road assistant Thy) for their exceptional bicycle maintenance skills.
What experiences will I remember the most? Touring through the rural ‘back blocks’ including the villages visited and passed through. The use of the land across the rural countryside and the associated activity/lifestyles of the rural population. (This includes all of the cottage industry activities visited, and the basic equipment used by the people generally for generations.). The riding on back rural roads, including the condition of the mainly unsealed roads, was a significant contribution to this experience. I enjoyed the cheerful disposition of the village/rural people. Our riding group appeared to be a great attraction (especially to the abundance of young children) as we passed through the villages and past the fields and lake shores. I certainly remember the heat and humidity – a temperature generally several degrees lower would have been preferred. The on-water stop-offs were memorable (including stilted villages, young children boating solo to schools. fish catching and processing, wide variety of boats types, and organized mangrove planting). As a person who prefers rural over city environments, I considered that an excellent balance was achieved across the two environments. Go for it!
Thank you Escape for a fabulous trip. With you, we experience the heart and soul of Cambodia. Seen it, smelt it, tasted it.
Another great trip with Escape Adventures (my fourth). Although this was hot and humid, the trip was planned well around this, with shorter rides and early starts. I felt like I got a good sense of the country beyond the usual tourist trail whilst also hitting tourist highlights. Well informed helpful guides both local and NZ, scrummy food and excellent company- what a great holiday!
This trip was wonderful. A great combination of rural scenery, meeting the locals, seeing life as it really is, wonderful camaraderie and sheer good fun. A chance to see the country and its gracious people “in the raw”. The organisation by our brilliant trip leaders Leigh & John, (ably assisted by Thy and his helpers) made everything run smoothly. Any unexpected changes were taken in their stride to ensure that we all had a wonderful experience. I was super-impressed by The Escape Team’s awareness of the local environment and their efforts to ensure we had minimal impact by hopefully ” leaving tyre marks only” but also the efforts made to support the local small industries etc as we cycled our way through the country. I would unreservedly recommend Escape Adventures as the “way to go” for your cycling trip anywhere you have a yearning to venture!
Having booked to do this trip two years ago, I had no hesitation to say “yes” to going this year. As with all my trips with Escape Adventures, this was another great adventure, especially with Bruce and Bruce our guides and Alex and Hoover in Manizales to welcome Escape back. They were a great team and supported us so well, just being there when needed, be it for snacks, encouragement and the unexpected! True to Escape Adventures’ ideal we were off the beaten track where possible, with some hills (big), up/down, some altitude and riding through a variety of different landscapes, villages and towns. Bogota in contrast, vibrant, with its amazing street art and fantastic cycle lanes. Colombia is a nation of cyclists, friendly and welcoming, making it great destination for another Escape Adventure!
Once you have been on a New Zealand based company Escape Adventures bike trip I guarantee you will want to do another. They are so well organized with wonderful supportive guides and include the help of valued locals. Just pick the level according to your biking skills and experience – if not a great deal then consider the easier Cambodia and Fiji trips. If you have more bike experience and fitness then Kenya/Tanzania and Colombia were fantastic, exotic, challenging…..with the flexibility of the support vehicle at all times. Covid has interrupted our plans but we hope to join them in Kyrgyzstan sometime in the future!
We biked Colombia with Escape Adventures and experienced another unforgettable adventure. I understand why Escape Adventures has so many repeat customers! It has been 8 years since we biked Laos with Mandy and John for an amazing journey in remote Asia. Colombia met and exceeded our high expectations. So many varied and different landscapes from the tropical jungle and alpine tundra. In between this was the coffee and chocolate plantations, buffalo farms, mining and pottery towns and of course amazing people everywhere. It’s easy to see why Colombians have the reputation for being the happiest people on the planet. We were warmly welcomed and met only happy people, no sign of PABLO and his bad men
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. Thanks John, Bruce and Sarah you ran a great ‘tight ship’.
Yes! 100%, Escape Adventures (expect the unexpected). From the vibrancy of Bogota to the high altitude villages. A great experience; coffee farm, buffalo farm, hot springs, big hills. Could not have been better. Hurrah for Escape Adventures! Thank you to the Colombian Team. Shout out for John, Mushy, Alex, Cookie Cheers, Roger PS: Thanks for the care!
We will never forget biking down from 4000m in cold wind and mist to almost sea level being greeted by lush tropical warm heat. Colombia has it all! Mountains, rivers, coffee, chocolate , history, music, culture and proud friendly people. Escape Adventures has created a fantastic bike loop in the middle of Colombia, both climbing and some amazing down hills. We really loved the experience and would recommend this trip for the adventure bikers who love a bit of a challenge.
Colombia was my third adventure with the Escape Adventures team and once again it was good fun, efficiently organized with a well-planned route, good bikes, and led by professionals who knew exactly what they were doing (and if they didn’t, they gave the right impression!). John, Sarah, and Bruce, plus the local drivers were all fun, efficient, capable, endlessly patient, and always encouraging, especially at 4200m! If it wasn’t for Escape I would never have had these adventures so thanks heaps.
All I can say is “WOW” – we had an outline of our tour before leaving NZ but the tour gave us so much more than we expected. From Day 1 to Day 14 we experienced all manner of adventures, new experiences and challenges – not to mention staying in “The Best Hotel in town” on numerous occasions. You can go on holiday with a book and swimming towel or jump outside the square with Escape Adventures – hold onto your hats and go for the ride of your life! A huge thank you to Sarah, Bruce, Milton and Hoover – tour guides extraordinaire, interpreters and local encyclopedia and last but not least – the best driver in Colombia!
Colombia for me really was the gift that kept on giving. Even though I could never be called a regular biker and therefore wasn’t especially prepared for the challenges of riding in the Colombian Andes. However the many benefits of riding in a group, with excellent support from Escape and the crew, the well-planned itinerary through fascinating landscapes whereby local people and their comings and goings could be observed and enjoyed was indeed the gift that kept on giving… the only common denominator was the bike.. roads, terrain, agricultural land use, food, weather, and towns and cities all came together in differing ways everyday to confound, amuse and be thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Cheers Chris
We enjoyed another amazing Escape Adventures holiday – our 3rd! and this time in Colombia, we finished absolutely exhilarated by the experiences and fun! Yet again, John, Mandy and their team have masterminded and executed a fantastic adventure. Bruce and Sarah were excellent cycle tour leaders, everything was done with enthusiasm and a great sense of humour. Milton, the local guide, was fantastically knowledgeable about his beloved country, took us to lots of interesting places and gave us heaps of background information on everything we did. Our driver, Hoover, was outstanding – and that is not easy in Colombian traffic. Yes, the cycling was hard – but I managed better than I did on previous trips. Perhaps the best aspect of the whole trip was the cohesion and camaraderie of our whole group. We always love spending time with our Perth friends, kiwis and making new friends among the other members of the group. Lovely, lovely people. So many thanks again Escape Adventures for another wonderful holiday. We just hope we can stay fit enough to enjoy another adventure with you in the future!
So I had my escape plan sorted for any dangerous situations encountered in my upcoming Colombian cycle tour. I was going to throw my bike at all those drug lords and run helter-skelter into the bush. Well, I’m not sure where my expectations of Colombia came from, as they were so wrong. Yes, we got chased, but people were only giving us our change back, or belongings, that we’d left behind. Colombia recycles, has clean toilets, wonderful people, and loves cyclists, with drivers so courteous. The bike tour took us to many amazing places…off the beaten track. We were in towns where tourists don’t go. We cycled past volcanic geomorphology and then sweated in the heat of the Magdalena River. We cycled hard, we jumped into the van when tired to be entertained by Alex, the knowledgeable Colombian guide. Our cycle leaders were always smiling, always excited about us having a good time. We had the best margaritas. Escape Adventures are easily the best cycle tours in the world. The bikes are fitted to each person and are in excellent condition, I certainly will try another bike tour.
I came home from my latest adventure quite convinced I had experienced the “real” Colombia. Our morning cycle tour of Bogota (10 million people) was truly amazing and informative, but it was the tiny villages on mountain ridges that I really loved to explore. I imagine they demonstrate the true character of Colombian society; the people and their lifestyle, food, music, language, industry, dress and accommodation. I became part of each village for just a short while and each night I slept in “the best hotel in town”. I am so lucky I get to follow my guides to such out-of-the-way places. I am safe in John’s care, the locals are super friendly, I am well informed by local guide Alex and I wonder how on earth John and Mandy found their way to these special places! Every day is a new adventure; I love the element of surprise that is fundamental to all Escape Adventure journeys. Yet again you have enriched my life. Don’t change a thing! Especially the 60km downhill ride.
Expect the unexpected and know everything will turn out alright. This was our second tour with Escape Adventures and again we were left in awe with the level of preparatory work that goes into these tours. This was the “maiden tour” of Colombia and there were a few hiccups but we always felt everything was under control. Again we were amazed with the route that John and Mandy have come up with; biking through villages and countryside that few, if any, tourists get to see. Fabulous adventure and we look forward to doing EA again for another tour.
First and foremost the trip was awesome thank you. The crew were fantastic and we enjoyed every single one of them!! They all worked extremely hard to provide a fantastic experience and did manage to do this so credit to them all! You have an absolutely awesome team and they obviously are very happy to be working with you. This is one of the best things Bruce and I have ever done as a couple in NZ…..and at our ripe old age we have done quite a bit!! So thank you for the opportunity to do this and especially with e-bikes as we could never have even considered doing something like this in NZ with ordinary bikes.
Riding the entire Tour Aotearoa was fast looming on my bucket list and when I saw that Escape Adventures was putting this trip together, I was on for it! Having had the 3 most amazing overseas adventures with Escape Adventures I knew that they would provide the most fantastic experience. All I had to do was get to the start, get on my bike, and pedal while Escape took care of transporting our stuff, and organizing food, and accommodation. Escape’s support crew was brilliant, so willing to help and support everyone, and prepared and provided outstanding meals and snacks in abundance. All in all an absolutely fantastic way of riding some of our fabulous trails, seeing remote and beautiful New Zealand with like-minded Kiwis, and achieving a personal goal at the same time. I just loved it! Riding the length of our country – Aotearoa.
Escape Adventures have exceeded my expectations across the board. I just need to ride, enjoy scrummy breakfast and lunch spreads, and know the accommodation was sorted. Enthusiastic leaders, manageable but challenging days followed by cruisey. I’m 75, on an e-bike and now 1500 km cycled. Just come and do it!! No regrets!!
I have just completed my North Island cycle tour biking with the excellent Tim and Theresa. Gee what a committed and hardworking couple, giving us a truly fully supported adventure. They were really happy days through the beautiful pastoral country with heaps of edibles, expertise, and encouragement.
I rode from Cape Reinga to Auckland with Escape Adventures in November 2020. The highlights for me were the Legendary 90 Mike Beach, hard sand, bright sun, rolling lines of surf; the ferry crossing to Rawene & night overlooking Kaipara Harbour; Riding through the huge tree heads of the Kauri Forest – WELL comparable with Madagascar’s Baobabs! – A great leg of TA, and highly recommended. Go for it!
Escape Adventures have exceeded my expectations across the board. I just need to ride, enjoy scrummy breakfast and lunch spreads and know the accommodation was sorted. Enthusiastic leaders, manageable but challenging days followed by cruisey. I’m 75, on an e-bike and now 1500kms cycled. Just come and do it!! No regrets!!
I had a blast! Despite my pre-trip panic about have I had done enough training and will I make it, the trip went really well. I’d sum up the experience as Escape Adventures were adventure enablers. The team enabled me to get away and have an “active relaxing” holiday without the hassle of transport, directions, food, and accommodation. Of course, the really neat thing was meeting other super cool people and seeing parts of NZ that I’d not been to before. I‘d love to do another trip ; )
Riding the entire Tour Aotearoa was fast looming on my bucket list and when I saw that Escape Adventures was putting this trip together, I was on for it! Having had the 3 most amazing overseas adventures with Escape Adventures I knew that they would provide the most fantastic experience. All I had to do was get to the start, get on my bike, and pedal while Escape took care of transporting our stuff, and organizing food, and accommodation. Escape’s support crew was brilliant, so willing to help and support everyone, and prepared and provided outstanding meals and snacks in abundance. All in all an absolutely fantastic way of riding some of our fabulous trails, seeing remote and beautiful New Zealand with like-minded Kiwis, and achieving a personal goal at the same time. I just loved it! Riding the length of our country – Aotearoa.
It was a great adventure. One of the hardest tests I have ever put my body and mind through but it was worth it. The NZ scenery you steered us through was amazing – shame most New Zealanders will never see it. It did come with its challenges prior to take off but you guys handled it all so well that it was quite seamless for us riders. I would definitely advise anyone interested in doing the TA or a bike trip to Africa to contact you. It was certainly one adventure I will never forget and will forever be proud of myself for completing – even if I did do it on an e-bike! Cheers to you both and to your wonderful people who guided and fed us – they are pretty amazing humans!!
Excellent to pedal on great trails and quiet roads through scenic back-blocks-North-Island-NZ with such a fun bunch of like minds. Alice, Bruce, and John consistently served humor, thoughtfulness, knowledge, and excellent food… Thank you for the delightful adventure Escape Adventures… I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!
First and foremost the trip was awesome thank you. The crew were fantastic and we enjoyed every single one of them!! They all worked extremely hard to provide a fantastic experience and did manage to do this so credit to them all! You have an absolutely awesome team and they obviously are very happy to be working with you. This is one of the best things Bruce and I have ever done as a couple in NZ…..and at our ripe old age we have done quite a bit!! So thank you for the opportunity to do this and especially with e-bikes as we could never have even considered doing something like this in NZ with ordinary bikes.
I’ve long wanted to do the Tour Aotearoa but haven’t been able to do it the standard way … so how happy was I when Escape Adventures decided to do it! I think I was probably one of the first to sign up for the inaugural tour in 2020. If you’ve done a trip with these guys before you’ll know how good they are – if you haven’t then this is your chance. Great guides, great organizing, great baking – thanks, Mandy. I loved every minute, even the challenging bits. So many highlights. Just cycling the length of the South Island and experiencing our beautiful country by bike was truly amazing.
Great trip with tour leaders Alice and Bruce who looked after all our needs and wants. Really good cooks and we were fed extremely well. I rode from Gisborne to Rotorua which was very hilly but the scenery and homestays were worth the effort. The days varied from 80kms to 104kms so some preparation is needed. Riding an E-bike does help with hills but the battery needs to last the day so still takes effort from the rider. An awesome trip with like-minded people!
Despite a very nervous start, the ride became a pleasure, a challenge, an opportunity.. a blast! The riding company was great, the support excellent, and the food varied but generally excellent, making for a comfortable experience. Best of all, the weather was almost perfect. Highlights included the regular coffee stops, in some very unlikely places, wonderful nibbles and lunch stops, and help whenever required. Thank you, Mandy, Alice, and Bruce for all your tour efforts to provide a positive, first-class riding event of 1000 plus kilometers.
Thanks Escape Adventures! We had a fantastic trip on the Cape to Cape. We made some great friends and Bruce and Bruce did a great job of looking after us.
Thoroughly enjoyed the cape-to-cape ride. Fantastic trip with great support, interesting places to stay, excellent food, and company. A great sense of achievement at Cape Egmont.
I am finding it hard to express how much I enjoyed my C2C trip. Just everything went so well. I was quite unsure as to how I would manage what was a major challenge for me, as I hadn’t done anything like it before. Everyone, both those of you in the office and the wonderful Bruce and Alice were so supportive, helpful, knowledgeable, and fun. When changes were required these happened smoothly, and professionally, and were communicated to us very well. In fact, we were well informed throughout the trip with good information about the day’s ride, when we were likely to next see the van, as well our evening arrangements. I can’t leave this without mention of the wonderful snacks that were very plentiful at the stops – very much appreciated. So thank you all so much for making my big birthday challenge so successful and fun. I’m still finding it a bit hard to believe that I actually did it!!!
Escape has done it yet again, another superbly organized epic bike ride, wiggling our way from East Cape to Cape Egmont, the widest part of New Zealand. What a way to explore and see so much of the remote, rural, and small towns of the North Island, riding our bikes along the scenic coastline, fabulous trails, through native forest, and back country roads. Of course, there were a few good hills, but they came down too! The support crew of Bruce and Alice were amazing – again. Always thinking ahead and on hand to support us and keep us topped up with great snack food along the way. I can’t recommend this enough, just prepare yourself to really enjoy the ride of your life!!
WOW! What an awesome experience with an amazing group of like-minded individuals. The team at Escape Adventures are such wonderful n enthusiastic people. The ride was challenging n rewarding, each day totally different from the last. Mandy’s home baking was absolutely delicious too! To be able to have support on this adventure was paramount to me as I personally can not ride solo anymore. It was all that n more!! We were updated regularly with the Covid situation. I thank the Escape Adventures team so much for such a wonderful trip n would highly recommend them to anyone. It has been a Ride to Last a Lifetime!!
What an amazing trip! The Cape to Cape was an absolutely brilliant two weeks of riding through some of the best scenery that Te Ika-a-Māui has to offer. Every day we experienced unique and beautiful parts of Aotearoa; enjoyed delicious, nutritious food served up by the fantastic support team; and enjoyed each other’s company as we rode our way across the country. The riding was great – a few big days, but you have nothing to do but ride and enjoy, and it’s such a great feeling when you get to the top of the hill or reach your accommodation for the evening. Escape Adventure’s organization and planning are amazing, and the support team works tirelessly to make sure everything is organized for you making it a fantastic escape from ‘reality’ where you can just focus on riding and enjoying the trip. I was really impressed by Escape’s commitment to sustainability and minimizing waste along the trip – it was evident in everything that they did. If you are thinking of doing the Cape to Cape, don’t hesitate, just sign-up! There’s no way you’ll regret choosing to do the Cape to Cape with Escape.
Reporting in to say we made the journey and are in good fettle. We ventured with an excellent bunch of mid-aged people, all competent riders and amusing company. Bruce and Alice made for a seamless experience where we were able to really appreciate and enjoy the privilege of riding freely and the uniqueness of our locations. I can see now why you have retired from supporting….they could both keep up! The combination of E-Bikers and Analogues worked well both because of rider competence and the astute programming of Bruce and Alice. So well done and thank you. We wish you and Escape every success in the future.
What a great sense of achievement completing the cape-to-cape ride! Thanks so much, Mandy and John for another superbly organized trip with great support staff. There’s a surprising amount to learn being a tourist in your own country and visiting out-of-the-way places and small communities. We should all get to know our country better. The cycling distances sound tough but were quite manageable so anyone considering the ride shouldn’t be put off, provided they are realistic about their capabilities. I’ll certainly be keen to line up for another ride in New Zealand.
The experience – This trip was both a challenge and an adventure with a small group of like-minded cyclists who were supportive of each other and lots of fun to be with. Being part of a group certainly has some advantages and I have done many touring trips unsupported in the past. I highly recommend this trip and the Escape Adventures team. The trip- a 1000-plus kilometer cycling adventure both by road and on trails and cycle paths with variable terrain through the back roads of New Zealand. We visited remote parts of the country and experienced wonderful hospitality. It’s at your own pace but there’s backup if you need it. The Company – Mandy and John provided great communication, answering any questions we had prior to the Tour and ongoing support during it especially as Omicron was about to hit and we had to change our planned East Cape lighthouse start to accommodate this. We got rained off the Timber trail by a Cyclone but they quickly reorganized our accommodation and the riding plan so we could carry on. We have been offered a free weekend on the Timber trail in February as a replacement. The accommodation was memorable and the meals too that we shared were. I had last cycled with Escape Adventures in Africa in 2009 and China in 2010, so a happy customer who returned for a new experience. The Guides – Bruce and Alice were professional, fun, and well organized and made the tour the success that it was. I felt well supported but also independent and free to ride at my own pace. The snack stops and the quality of the food were amazing and we all put on weight despite some strenuous days riding! I felt very well cared for and couldn’t ask for more.
We were lucky enough to do the Kenya & Tanzania family tour in 2019. Suffice it to say, it is a brilliant escape! Perryn, Alice & Joseph, the tour leaders, the driver, cooks, mechanics, translators & kid wranglers, were nothing short of fantastic. The meals were fab, details clear & they worked really hard to make it a holiday each one of our diverse group would enjoy & remember. John & Mandy have developed a tour off the beaten track, literally & figuratively, that is breathtaking and very special. The relationships they have with key people meant we got to see & learn about what is happening for locals & to stay in incredible places you wouldn’t normally be able to. We can’t recommend this trip highly enough!
Our family of 5 (including 3 kids 11,11 and 14 years) recently travelled with Escape Adventures on the Kenya Tanzania family tour. We usually travel independently, but chose to do this tour for the safety, security and local knowledge of the company. We had an incredible, amazing adventure. The tour captures the diversity of these countries – from the Savannah to the mountains, from the game parks to the back country roads. We trained for it, made sure we were all fit and healthy for travel, packed light and brought our sense of adventure with us. All important to enjoying the trip even more.The three tour leaders were a fantastic team. We were well fed, well informed and well cared for. Hire bikes and support vehicle were great and regularly maintained. We highly recommend this trip to any family who are keen to get in with the locals and experience these third world countries.
Our Keyna-Tanzania family trip was awesome! We did and experienced things that we could not have achieved in any other way. It gave us experiences and funny stories that our family is going to recall and laugh about for years to come. We were so impressed with all aspects of the tour – right from the friendly welcome at Nairobi airport to the tearful farewells in Dar es Salaam. So much we could say…but everyone always wants to know about the food – the meals from the truck kitchen were delicious. We were really happy with the abundance of local fruit and veges used in the cooking – and zero junk food. Emma made lots of little extras: sauces, herbs, & side dishes which made every meal special and burst with flavor. And there were always plenty of options to suit all tastes.
Escaping to an amazing African adventure this summer was so much more than we had imagined it would be. A little apprehensive about taking two children camping and on their first big cycling trip plus in Kenya and Tanzania, we should not have worried. Escape Adventures had it all covered for us. Their experience certainly showed as the itinerary was spot on for both kids and adults. A great mix of interesting riding, on and off-road, challenging at times but never too much for the assembled group. A real focus on slow travel with real local interactions most trips to the area never get to experience as they fly past in a cloud of dust to the next ‘exciting’ viewing opportunity… Meeting Kenyans and Tanzanians and not those working in tourism gave an insight not often experienced but one every visitor should endeavor to do. We were able to see and get an appreciation of the real countries and that was as fascinating for children and adults alike. We were not disappointed by the game either. Elephants, elephants, and more elephants in Amboseli rank up there as an exceptional and privileged day. Cycling along and watching giraffes watching us with equal fascination is unforgettable and the children’s faces as we watched lions nonchalantly ignoring us were out of this world. So if you are looking for a family cycling experience and Africa is on the list, in our experience this one would be difficult to beat. Thanks to Mandy, John, Mushi, and Joseph you all made the trip something special.
Under a wonderfully laid back exterior Escape Adventures ran a tight ship, with variables covered in advance and always exhibiting a respect for the planet in general and the people and land of Cambodia in particular.
What a great adventure we had. So different from home, the red dirt, the flat and open fields of the countryside, and the crazy chaos of the cities. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes. This trip challenged Logan (as I was expecting), but I was so very proud of his achievement, and he did, and coped better than I had hoped. The support and encouragement of the group was great. The flatness of Cambodia helped, some of the busy roads were more challenging. And I enjoyed having some time out on my own.