Difficulty Rating : 3 Start : Amsterdam Finish : Amsterdam Terrain : Easy flat cycle Daily Average : 54-70km Weekly Average : 270-350km Tour Type : Family,Bike and Boat,Group Teaser : It was only in the 17th Century that large parts of the area north of Amsterdam were recovered from the sea and reclaimed through windmills
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It was only in the 17th Century that large parts of the area north of Amsterdam were recovered from the sea and reclaimed through the use of hundreds of windmills.  A typical Dutch landscape of polders, mills, harbours, and tulips.

This tour brings you over small dykes and country roads,  lined with many windmills still in working order. You can get a feel for the old Dutch atmosphere in towns such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Edam and Volendam.  We sail to Texel, an island with thousands of sheep and a magnificent nature reserve.   Our route brings us along Holland's most beautiful dune area,  the only time you will be cycling above sea level!

Alkmaar will also provide a great insight into ancient times. It is the capital of Dutch cheese with its own cheese market and weigh-house for cheese.  We visit Zaanse Schans, a lovely little hamlet on the banks of the river Zaan where the mills, houses, shops and traditional Dutch crafts will bring the past back to life.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Amsterdam, embarkation from 3pm - 4 pm. Cycle 15 kms

Amsterdam is a city to be explored on foot and we recommend the following places of interest: the rings of canals, the Jordaan area, with its many pubs, outdoor cafés and quaint shops, Vondelpark with its open air concerts, Leidseplein, Rembrandtsplein, the antique shops in the Spiegel district, Museum Square with the Rijksmuseum (National Museum), Stedelijk Museum (Museum of Modern Art) and the Van Gogh Museum.

We start the tour with a short bike ride after which a programme for the next day and the rest of the week will be explained to you at dinner time.

Day 2

Amsterdam ~ Volendam, sailing to Hoorn (45 kms)

In the morning you leave Amsterdam. A ferry takes you to the Amsterdam Noord quarter and soon you will be cycling through the rural area of Waterland. In this soggy peat land the houses and villages are hardly above the level of the water. The former isle of Marken is visited. It ws not until 1957 that this island was connected to the Mainland by a dike and it has retained its own particular character.
You continue your way along the Gouwzee dike to Volendam.
From Volendam you sail in northerly direction towards the city of Hoorn. During the evening walk you will have the opportunity to get a good impression of this beautiful city with its rich past

Day 3

Hoorn ~ Enkhuizen (45 kms)

You continue on the dike with a wonderful view over the Markermeer on your right and West-Frisian villages on your left-hand side. The recently (1976) built dike from Enkhuizen to Lelystad (in the Noordoostpolder) appears on the horizon. This was meant to be a polder dike for a huge new polder: the Markerwaard. However, the plans were never executed: with time perception changed. The environment and fresh water supply became more important. So today the dike is there, but no polder…
The trip for today ends in Enkhuizen, a town which came into existence when two adjoining villages amalgamated. You can end your day with a visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum. This museum, which consists of an indoor and outdoor part, shows you the history of everyday life around the Zuiderzee until the middle of the 20th century.

Day 4

Enkhuizen ~ Medemblik, sailing to Texel (35 kms)

The cycling tour starts on the IJsselmeer dike and is then left behind to go through a nature reserve and some typical West-Frisian villages. Then Medemblik comes in sight, the oldest city of West-Friesland (1289), with an illustrious past and with Radboud castle, dating from the 13th century. At Medemblik you get on board and sail the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea to the isle of Texel.

Day 5

Texel round trip (45/48/62 kms)

The Isle of Texel is the largest of the Dutch Waddeneilanden (Wadden islands). An island highly appreciated by bird-watchers. In springtime, about 80 different types of birds breed her, mainly in the dune areas, but all in all, about 300 different species have been found here. A tour around this island with its numerous cycle tracks is well worth the effort.

Day 6

Texel, sailing to Den Helder, cycling to Alkmaar (60 kms)

The ship takes you back to the mainland, where you disembark in the city of Den Helder, the Dutch naval port, situated at the mouth of the Noord-Hollandskanaal.
Today’s route takes you through the dunes. You pass by the unique nature reserve Het Zwanenwater (The Swans’ Water), with its lakes and boggy hollows in the dunes. A little further you cycle on the Hondsbossche Zeewering (Hondsbossche Sea Dike), with a spectacular view of the North Sea. You enter the area of the Schoorlse Duinen (Schoorl Dunes), where you will find the highest dunes in the country. During the last century many pine trees were planted here so now it is a rather woody region. Bergen is an artists’ village which attracts many painters, writers and architects.
Your destination for today is Alkmaar, also called the City of Cheese. Its weigh-house was the first in the country (for weighing and trading of cheese).

Day 7

Alkmaar ~ Amsterdam (60 kms)

The last stage of the week takes you through the ‘droogmakerij’ land with the 17th century towns of Schermerhorn, Graft and De Rijp. In Zaandam, you will visit the world famous hamlet and open air museum of Zaanse Schans. A unique place where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area.
The last stretch of the trip takes you through ’t Twiske (the Twiske) Leisure Park. Since the beginning of the Christian era the peat region around the Zaan had been used for cattle grazing. In the peat land ditches were dug to help draining the land. The dried peat was used as fuel. Once you are back at the barge in Amsterdam it is time to take leave of your bikes. In the afternoon there is still some time to go into town and after dinner you may want to finish off your trip by going on a city walk or taking a trip on one of Amsterdam’s canal boats.

  • 7 nights on board (incl. bedding, towels, soap)
  • Breakfast and dinner on board
  • Picnic Lunch packages when on the road
  • Coffee and tea on board 
  • Tour guide who cycles with the group
  • Route info & road book (1 per cabin) 
  • Ferry fares on the route
  • At least 3 city walks with tour guide
  • GPS tracks ( on request )
  • Free Wi-Fi (limited availability in boat lounge / deck) 

Bike rental is not included in our tour price. This is an additional:
€125 Hybrid Bike
€240 Electric Bike

Discounts are available for children, please see itinerary or email our office for more information

Bike rental is not included in the basic tour package.

On this tour we rent out Batabus Galivier Hybrid bikes. A good bicycle available for all participants from ages nine and up with 24 gears and handbrakes. All bikes are comfortable lightweight touring bikes. The bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier bags, Helmet, Odometer, Good lock, Water bottle
- You will get a repair kit when biking on your own.

It is also possible to rent an E - bike
Your bike has 24 gears, a detachable lithium-Ion battery, hand brakes, pannier bags, a good lock, water bottle and a repair kit.

Bike Insurance:
Bicycle insurance is included in the tour price.

The bicycle insurance covers the cost of the repair or replacement of bicycle parts in case of an accident. It also protects against theft of the bike while it was locked.

I enjoyed the trip immensely, the barge was so nice and couldn't ask for better staff. Our guide was excellent, very informative and great with everyone. Bikes were excellent and comfortable to use. We met lovely people from all over the globe and we all got on very well. Looked forward to each days cycle and would recommend this holiday 100%, can't wait to go again! 
Lorraine S

Really enjoyed doing the Top of Amsterdam tour. It was very well organised. It was lovely visiting the various places. The food and accommodation on the boat were excellent. The crew and guide were very helpful. 
Donal

Liza Marleen - Category Comfort

The “Liza Marleen” is a luxury motor passenger barge, built in 1997-98 on the completely dismantled shell of a seafaring freight logger.  Cabins were fully renovated for the 2016 season. The “Liza Marleen” has 8 double cabins and 2 triple cabins.  All cabins come with a private bathroom and central heating. The “Liza Marleen” has a beautiful, spacious and tastefully decorated salon and plenty of room on deck. The dayroom has audio-equipment and TV

Liza Marleen - Category Comfort image 1Liza Marleen - Category Comfort image 1

Wending – Category Comfort

The “Wending” is a former freight barge that started a new life in the early nineties as a luxury passenger motor barge. The ”Wending” has 8 double and 2 triple cabins. All cabins with private bathroom and central heating. There is a roomy and cosy salon, equipped with a complete music installation and TV. After a strenuous bike ride it is a great place to relax

Wending – Category Comfort image 1Wending – Category Comfort image 1

How to get to the start point port:

Schiphol airport is approx 20km to the ship.   At Schiphol airport you can take the train to Central Station Amsterdam. These trains leave approx. every 8 min.and takes approx 15 minutes by train from the airport into Amsterdam, a ticket costs approx €5 per person for single journey. From Amsterdam Central Station it is a 10 minute walk to the place where the ship is docked.
A taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes, it costs about €35.

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

RATES FOR 2025
B
ARGE "LIZA MARLEEN"
May 8
€1500 per person in twin bed cabin
€1730 per person in superior twin cabin 15m2
€1370 per person in superior trible cabin 15m2
€2240 single cabin occupancy

BARGE "WENDING"  
June 12, June 19
€1500 per person in twin cabin
€1370 per person in triple cabin
€2240 single cabin occupancy

Self Guided Tour Information

Self Led tours are not an option on this route.

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available



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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.