OUR STORY  

Hello, I'm Angelika — founder of Sidetracks Women.

​

People often ask how I can be a tour guide for so long. The honest answer is simple: I love it. I love the outdoors, the movement, the ever-changing landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand. I love hiking, cycling, kayaking — and I love meeting the people who want to experience all of this properly. That combination has never lost its appeal, and I don't expect it ever will.

 

New Zealand drew me in completely, and I chose to make it my home. Even having led some tours more than 50 times, it has never felt repetitive. The season changes. The weather changes. The people change. Each tour is its own thing.

​

25 years on the road

Sidetracks was founded on 17 January 2001 — this year marks 25 years. It also marks 30 years of guiding and travelling all over New Zealand, from north to south, and I feel genuinely proud of that.

​

For almost 20 years, my focus was on nature and adventure tours for German-speaking travellers. There were many wonderful years — and there were real challenges too. The Christchurch earthquakes in 2011 changed everything overnight. We adapted, rebuilt, and kept going. Then in 2020, Covid brought the next turning point: borders closed, tours stopped, and the question became unavoidable — what now?

​

The answer was a complete reset. With no international guests able to enter the country, Sidetracks shifted its focus entirely to New Zealand and Australian women. What started as a necessity became something very special. Today, we run women-only guided cycling and hiking tours — and honestly, that unexpected change came at exactly the right time.

​

Travelling with women who are curious, strong, and full of life has been a privilege. Many of you have shown us, again and again, that turning 60 is not an ending. It is often the start of something new.
 

25 years on, we are still out there — and still loving every kilometre.

 

The team

Sidetracks is not just about routes, dates, or logistics — it's about people. Running my own company has meant I can design tours I genuinely believe in, work with like-minded people, and build partnerships with local operators who share the same values.

Our guides bring care, patience, humour, and deep experience to every tour, always looking after the group whatever the conditions. And behind the scenes, our support team makes sure everything comes together smoothly.

​

A very special mention goes to Barbara, who has been part of Sidetracks for many years. Her loyalty, calm approach, and wonderful eye for detail have made a quiet but enormous difference — to the tours, and to everyone who travels with us.

Want to know more? Visit our In the Media page — there you'll find an article, an interview, and a video.

​

If you like to learn more about me/us the menu

 'In the Media' you'll find an article, an interview and a video.