Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
E-Bike New Zealand Trails Bike Tour
Trip Overview
You know you've always dreamed of cycling in New Zealand with its dramatic landscapes, fascinating local culture and unique wildlife. Ride with us there to experience the full range of scenery on the gorgeous South Island. When it's winter in North America, it's summer in New Zealand, so take advantage of this off-season getaway you'll love ... biking on New Zealand's top rail trails. Take an e-bike for an easier ride or a mountain bike for more of a challenge.
Start and end in lovely Christchurch and marvel at this friendly town on the shores of the Pacific. Plus, have an introduction to traditional Maori culture. Then enjoy splendid trail riding on the grasslands of the eastern side of the Southern Alps. You'll recognize scenes from the "Lord of the Rings" movies and see firsthand why New Zealand was chosen for making that series of films ... the variety of beautiful landscapes is unmatched! Then van across the rugged mountains to the outdoor sports paradise found on the western side. You'll be thrilled as you bike through the ice-carved terrain with soaring snow-capped peaks, thick vegetation and pristine lakes.
On your day off from biking in Queenstown, you can relax, shop, and sample famous seafood and pastries ... or perhaps take an optional day trip to see the sheer cliffs and fjord of Milford Sound. Next, you travel through glacier country to the town of Fox Glacier, where you can book an optional helicopter ride. Then cycle alongside beaches on the Tasman Sea to fabled Hokitika, a great place to shop for jade, which was revered by the Maori. Finally, head to Greymouth for a scenic train ride back to Christchurch. Mountain bikes and Electric Mountain bikes are used on this tour.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
After settling into the hotel, the group meets for the first time in the afternoon. Time and weather permitting, you take a short drive up the nearby Port Hills to the Sign of the Kiwi, where guests can enjoy a coffee with magnificent views on a clear day, or enjoy a walk around the city with the group. This evening, you enjoy a Maori cultural experience where you can paddle a Waka canoe. Then have dinner together.
After a café breakfast, leave Christchurch early and drive south through the Canterbury Plains heading towards Twizel where we get ready for your first ride. Leaving from Twizel township, ride along the Alps2Ocean trail to the edge of Lake Ohau. The Ben Ohau Range dwarfs all and sundry as you follow the lake foreshore toward Lake Ohau Village and its Lodge — perfectly positioned for post-ride refreshments — and your accommodation for the night.
After breakfast at the Lodge, jump in the van for a shuttle to Pisa Morrings or the historic precinct of Cromwell to begin your ride on the Lake Dunstan Trail. One of the newest trails in New Zealand, this trail's spectacular engineering and incredible views are truly breath taking. The trail ends in Clyde, where you spend the night … after a magnificent dinner at Olivers.
After a delicious homemade breakfast at this boutique hotel, head out on your bike to tackle the trails along the stunning Roxburgh Gorge. Your leader provides a sandwich to enjoy at your leisure. Enjoy amazing views of this emerald waterway. The trail also incorporates a 45-minute boat ride up the river (included in tour cost). See historic artifacts and tiny buildings from the gold rush days. At the end of the trail, the van shuttles the group to your lodging for the evening.
This morning after breakfast, the van shuttles you about 50 minutes to ride part of the Otago Rail Trail, New Zealand’s “original Great Ride” from Oturehua to Alexandra. Enjoy the scenery and perhaps lunch at Chatto Creek Tavern … then shuttle about 75 minutes to Queenstown.
Today, you take a break from the bikes and are on your own to relax or explore one of the many excursions and activities Queenstown has to offer (all activities optional). We highly recommend an excursion to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, or a trip to the Glow Worm Caves in Te Anau — all can be pre-booked prior to travel and paid for on the day of the activity. Please note that this is a "guide rest day" in order to comply with New Zealand work time hours. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are on your own.
In the morning, you have breakfast at the hotel and then cycle the incredible Queenstown Trail to the legendary gold mining village of Arrowtown. Then follow a cycle path to Kawarau Bridge. Afterward, shuttle about an hour over the Crown Range for incredible views. On the way, pass the famous Cardrona Hotel and then head on to Wanaka where you spend the night. Dinner is together.
Jump on your bike after breakfast and enjoy more of the Queenstown Trail. Spin along Lake Wanaka to Lake Hawea. Enjoy vistas of soaring mountains over the crystal waters of these splendid lakes. Lunch is at a pub in Lake Hawea. Add an optional 6 miles to Gladstone. Then shuttle for about 4 hours through Mt. Aspiring National Park to the tiny, remote town of Fox Glacier. Stay at a simple but clean and cozy motel. Dinner is together.
An incredible way to start the day for the early risers is to take a hike along Mirror Lake at sunrise, for an unforgettable view of the reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman in the water (weather dependent of course!). Then have breakfast at the Lake Matheson Café. Or perhaps choose a morning helicopter flight to land on Fox or Franz Josef Glacier might be more your scene? (Pre-booking is essential). Then we shuttle you 2 hours to Ross to hop on your bike and start our first ride on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Cycle to Hokitika, known for its production of Jade or Greenstone — a very culturally significant stone to the Maori people. If you arrive early in Hokitika, a 15-minute shuttle is available to Lake Kaniere for a wonderful 13.5 mile downhill ride back to Hokitika. Dinner is on your own in Hokitika.
After breakfast at the hotel, get on your bike for your last ride on another stretch of the West Coast Wilderness trail – this time Kumara to Greymouth … arriving in time for a pub lunch … and to board the TranzAlpine for your spectacular 4.5-hour train journey over Arthur’s Pass, back to Christchurch. Farewell dinner is together.
It’s time to say goodbye to the "land of the long white cloud"! No meals are included to give you flexibility for your departure. The local airport has daily flights to Auckland for connecting international flights.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
10 nights' accommodations, breakfast each day (apart from arrival, rest, and departure days), 7 lunches, 7 dinners, biking snacks, van transfers, Maori cultural experience, use of a mountain bike, 45-minute jet boat ride in Roxborough Gorge, TranzAlpine train ticket Greymouth to Christchurch, 1 optional airport transport time to and from airport. Use of an E-bike or mountain bike. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support. Not included: airfare and drinks, other than water during biking.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
10 nights' accommodations, breakfast each day (apart from arrival, rest, and departure days), 7 lunches, 7 dinners, biking snacks, van transfers, Maori cultural experience, use of a mountain bike, 45-minute jet boat ride in Roxborough Gorge, TranzAlpine train ticket Greymouth to Christchurch, 1 optional airport transport time to and from airport. Use of an E-bike or mountain bike. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support. Not included: airfare and drinks, other than water during biking.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Twizel is in the Heart of the Mackenzie High Country surrounded by snow-capped mountains, golden tussock landscapes and glacial lakes. The World Heritage listed Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park is just a 45-minute, picturesque drive away.
Recently renovated, nine en-suited bedrooms blend elegant interiors with style and comfort. A freshly baked delicious breakfast awaits each morning. Enjoy a local wine in the private garden, overlooking the Clutha River, with the sun-baked hills of Central Otago in the distance.
Within minutes you'll find a range of restaurants and boutique shops. The Lord Clyde is perfectly positioned for those who desire a truly memorable accommodation experience.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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