Explore, Relax and Unwind
Nourish yourself with Farm to Table food, unwind with a relaxing spa or sauna, explore beautiful rural landscapes on a leisurely day e-bike ride and relax in deluxe lodge accommodation. Take a break from city life and leave feeling restored after spending time in our peaceful rural surroundings. Our Moa Goa package makes an ideal short escape for two or even for a group of friends or work colleagues.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at River Valley Lodge in time to enjoy a three-course Farm to Table dinner, freshly prepared by our chef using seasonal produce from the regenerative lodge gardens. Spend the night in a deluxe ensuite room (double or twin share).
Day 2: Enjoy a full-cooked breakfast or any item of your choosing from our breakfast menu. After breakfast, we will kit you out with a helmet, high vis vest, map, e-bike and gourmet picnic lunch, then shuttle you the 5 minute drive up the hill to Pukeokahu Junction. From the Junction, allow 3-4 hours to ride the Laughing Moa Cycle Trail, stopping along the way to take in the views and enjoy your delicious picnic lunch.
The trail is a loop, with you ending back at River Valley Lodge. After you arrive back, our chef will prepare some delicious nibbles for you. That evening, enjoy another three-course dinner. Each day our chef crafts a new menu, but we always use produce from our gardens so that all of our meals are fresh, tasty and nutritious.
The spa facilities at the lodge are yours to use. Some tired muscles may appreciate a soak in the hot tub under the stars or a sweat out in a traditional wood-fired sauna. Spend another night in deluxe accommodation at River Valley.
Day 3: Wake up feeling refreshed and revitalised after your restorative short escape. Another delicious breakfast will ensure you leave feeling fully nourished. Or, why not relax even longer, and stay another night. You can enjoy a second day by experiencing the beautiful scenery of this area from another perspective on one of our rafting trips (additional cost).
The Laughing Moa
The Laughing Moa Cycle Trail takes you from River Valley Lodge (we shuttle you up the first big hill) and then in a loop through rural countryside and working hill country stations. The route follows a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, winding along rural back roads, through the Moawhango Valley alongside the Moawhango River, and then looping back to River Valley Lodge. There are plenty of spots to stop along the route and take in the beautiful unspoilt views. We pack a gourmet picnic lunch for you to take and enjoy at a place of your choosing. The trail is a leisurely 42km ride. We recommend allowing 3-4 hours of ride time.
The Moa Goa includes full-day use of one of our Giant e-bikes.
What Kind of Bikes are Available?
We have a range of bike sizes (XS-L) with bike frames, all in a mountain bike style. The Giant Talons are suitable for everyone, while our Liv Tempts are specifically designed for women and have a lower top bar. E-bike use on one of our Giant Talons, or Liv Tempts, is included in this package.
Who Can Ride?
We have a range of bike sizes, from XS to XL. Our policy is that if you can comfortably fit and control the bike, you can ride it.
The Details
All rides are on backcountry roads and would be Graded 2 – 3. You will share the road with other traffic, though you will most likely encounter few other vehicles. We encourage you to ride to the road rules, the weather conditions and ability.
What we provide
- 2 Nights in Deluxe Ensuite Accommodation (double or twin share)
- A choice of continental or cooked breakfast on both mornings
- A 3 Course Farm to Table dinner on both nights
- Use of one of our Giant or Liv Tempt E-bikes for a full day (including helmet, high vis vest and a handlebar bag)
- Downloadable .pdf map and information file
- A gourmet picnic lunch
- Tasty nibbles served at the lodge after your ride
- Complimentary use of the spa facilities (A 45 minute session in our spa or sauna)
What To Bring
- Sunscreen
- Drink Bottle
- Phone (our route maps and information files are issued in a PDF format)
- Small camera, or any other small personal items that can fit in a handlebar bag
Have any questions?
Speak to one of our friendly adventure consultants who would love to help you out.
thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz / 0800 248666