Duration
9 Days, 8 Nights
Savai’i Escape:
Self-Guided Cycle Tour in Samoa
Discover Samoa’s traditional culture while cycling along pristine coral sand beaches with the Savai’i Escape Self-Guided Cycle Tour. This adventure combines cycling with the convenience of a support van providing filtered water along the route.
Your accommodations feature a blend of hotels and charming family-run beach fales, with easy access to stunning lagoons perfect for swimming and snorkelling. On your final night, experience authentic marae style accommodation.
Optional Accommodation Upgrade:
Enhance your stay with the option to upgrade to air-conditioned, en-suite rooms for up to six nights (additional cost applies).
The Savai’i Escape is designed around Monday arrivals in Samoa for 2025 departures. Enhance your trip with the Turtle Kayak Add-On before your cycling adventure or the Apia Add-On at the end of your tour, both available as optional extras.
Bike Hire
Including helmet, and carrier (with the option to upgrade to an e-bike)
Hand-picked Accommodation
Choose between Samoan Standard and Superior
Luggage Transfers
Daily luggage transfers to your next destination
Filtered Water En-Route
Our driver team will stop at a designated point to top up your water supply
Ody Trails App
App access to support your cycle tour without the paperwork
Knowledgeable Reservations Staff
Our mantra, We know: We care
Trip Highlights
Experience the traditional culture of Samoa and the best Savai’i has to offer on this 200km cycling tour.
- Cultural Village Tour
- Traditional Umu Dinner
- Lava Caves and Lava Fields
- Snorkelling in Coral Gardens
- Exposure to Traditional Samoan Culture
- Waterfall Swimming at Afu Aau
- Blowholes at Taga
- Farm Tour
Savai’i Escape Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival day
This itinerary and the calendar of scheduled tours includes accommodation on your arrival day. Please advise us of your flight details and arrival time. You will be met at the airport by Outdoor Samoa/Cycle Journeys staff to transfer you to your accommodation.
Day 2: Introduction to your cycle trip
Today is the start of your island cycle experience. Please be ready by 8:30am as we will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to our depot. We will work through the bike fitting and provide a big picture overview of Samoa.
Todays 8km cycle ride is an authentic experience led by our Samoan staff. They take you riding through their local village sharing their way of life with you.
Afternoon at your leisure.
Tropical breakfast is included.
Day 3: Outdoor Samoa/Cycle Journeys to Lano (23kms)
The tour begins from our base at Mulifanua. It’s your time to ask any last minute questions before your 3km cycle to the ferry terminal.
We will purchase your tickets and assist in stowing gear and bikes aboard. The Apolima Strait crossing takes just over an hour to Salelologa where you will be met by your support driver for the rest of the tour. The ride begins through numerous villages as the road winds along close to the lagoon. Stop for a swim at the John Williams Memorial Pool (8kms from Salelologa). At Tuasivi the road ascends a small hill to the administrative centre of the island. A good place for an ice-cream before the last 8kms beside the lagoon to Lano. While it’s tempting to stop at most of the beaches along the way, Lano has an absolutely gorgeous beach.
Dinner tonight is a traditional Umu.
Breakfast is included.
Day 4: Lano to Manase (33kms)
Today’s ride is a gentle ascent with lots of stops for lava fields and interesting villages. The route initially winds alongside the lagoon before heading inland with gentle undulations through regenerating forest. Check out the village of Mauga which is built around a crater and the LMS (London Missionary Society) church with a metre of lava across the floor at Saleaula.
Dinner and Breakfast are included.
Day 5: Manase to Asau (Vaimoana) 38kms
Today you travel inland away from the cool breeze and there are quite a number of undulations and some significant ascents.
Take your time through the first few villages as there are lots of photo opportunities before the road starts climbing for the second time at Sasina.
The Pe’ape’a Cave at Letui is well worth a stop (have a torch handy) to watch and listen to the birds echo-locating in the cave where they nest. Aopo is located near the top of the first steep climb and is one of the only inland villages in Samoa. Take your time to discover what the locals are selling in their shops and stalls. The descent into Asau is fast and steep. Here you are rewarded with a swim in the large freshwater pool, the perfect place to cool off and celebrate the day’s ride as it is only a short distance to your accommodation.
It is interesting to visit the cocoa processing plant (across the road from Va-i-Moana’s gate) to see how cocoa is processed for inclusion in your Whittakers chocolate bar. Also check the activities board to see what is happening.
Breakfast is included.
Day 6: Asau/Vaimoana to Falealupo (19kms)
Todays cycle starts with a gentle ride through villages followed by a short, sharp climb that leads up onto the Falealupo Peninsula. Take care not to miss the turnoff to Falealupo. The seal runs out as the road hits the coast and it’s a short ride on gravel and sand roads to Falealupo Beach.
But don’t rush as there is much to see along the way. The 1990 and 1991 cyclones destroyed the village, but the church ruins 1 kilometre before Falealupo are worth a visit to appreciate the power of these storms. Opposite the church is a small crypt that may surprise.
Dinner and breakfast are included.
Day 7: Falealupo to Satuiatua (38kms)
The ride begins on a gravel road through interesting regenerating coastal bush. The first 2.5 kms usually involves several photo stops before arriving at Cape Mulinuu. According to legend the spirits of the dead depart Samoa here in the deep channels. There are also mysterious star mounds across the road. The road climbs steadily to 160m and joins the main south coast road before heading back to the coast.
More undulations follow as it later contours along the cliff tops with lots of wild seascapes where the surf crashes into the lava coast and sea arches. Stop at the cliff top, Lovers Leap, to look for the shark and turtle that legend tells us the lovers turned into. Then follow along the cliff tops through numerous villages. Faiaai Beach is worth the walk down to, for those with energy to spare. There is also a lovely swimming beach at Foailalo, that is worth riding back to if it’s low tide when you arrive at Satuiatua.
Dinner and breakfast are included.
Day 8: Satuiatua to Palauli (42kms)
The day begins with a gentle climb through Lata, then it’s mostly flat for the rest of the way. Lata is an example of the original German copra estates, with its neatly planted rows of coconut palms. These were harvested mostly for their oil for use in lamps, while cattle were grazed under the palms.
The blowholes at Taga are a trip highlight, as they tend to ‘blow’ in all weather. Likewise, the falls at Afu Aau are magnificent and a swim here is a must.
When you arrive at tonights accommodation you will be taken on an interesting and informative Farm Tour. This experience has been on Country Calendar on NZ television.
Dinner and breakfast are included.
Note: tonight’s accommodation is Marae style. Large open fale, with seperate beds, communal sleeping with shared facilities.
Day 9: Palauli to Outdoor Samoa/Cycle Journeys (13kms)
An easy 10kms of riding brings you to Saleloga, the commercial centre and only town of Savai’i. The markets offer a range of souvenirs before boarding the ferry back to Upolu. (Due to your ferry tickets needing to be purchased at the ferry terminal on Savai’i, they are not included in your package.) Say goodbye to your driver/guide as you board the ferry.
You will be met at the Mulifanua Wharf by Outdoor Samoa/Cycle Journeys staff for the last 3km ride back to base.
Full Package Inclusions
- Standard bike hire for 8 days – including helmet and carrier bag (E-bike upgrade is available)
- Airport transfer on arrival
- Accommodation for 8 nights
- 1 x traditional Umu dinner
- Daily luggage transfers
- 8 x breakfasts and 4 x dinners
- One way ferry ticket (Upolu – Savai’i)
- Farm tour
- Filtered water en-route (On cycle days the van will transport your gear to your next accommodation. Your driver will stop at a designated point to top up your water supply)
Departure Dates
| April | May | June | July | August | September | October |
| (14TH FULL) 21st 28th | 5th 12th 19th | 2nd 9th Thu 19th 23rd 30th | 7th (FULL) 14th 17th (FULL) 21st (28th FULL) | 4th 11th (18th FULL) 25th | 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th | 6th 13th |
Optional Extras and Upgrades
Accommodation Upgrade
Upgrade your accommodation to air conditioned and private ensuites on up to six nights on your Savai’i adventure.
Our friendly reservation staff will review the options and pricing with you.
Add the Turtle Kayak Experience
Add an extra night at the beginning of your Savai’i trip to experience our Turtle Kayak Day Trip. Review the whole trip here.
Add the Apia Add-On
Extend your Savai’i Escape Package with the Tuesday and Wednesday nights after your trip in Apia, the capital and sole city of Samoa. Explore the Add-On package here.
E-Bike Hire Upgrade
Upgrade to an e-bike for this trip: $400.00 pp.
Hire Snorkelling Equipment
Pre-book your snorkelling equipment for your whole trip.
Add mask, snorkel and fins to this package: $50.00 pp.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travel insurance. Talk to us, as we can assist with providing you peace of mind.
