Majestic rugged mountains, spectacular glaciers, wild coastlines, emerald blue lakes - it’s all here and within reach. New Zealand boasts an amazing variety of landscapes and equally amazing biking. Explore three of NZ's Cycle Trails on a 15-day guided adventure within the South Island. This incredible tour takes you on the iconic Alps to Ocean trail, the Otago Central Rail Trail and the West Coast Wilderness trail. You'll also get a bonus short ride on part of the Lake Dunstan trail! The tour runs from Christchurch-Christchurch.
Beginning with the Alps to Ocean trail near Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. You'll cycle past the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, turquoise glacier-fed lakes and lush pastures dotted with sheep to end this trail at the small port of Oamaru on the Pacific Ocean. From the vibrant city of Dunedin you'll then head inland to embark on the second trail, the Otago Central Rail Trail. Following the course of the historic railway, you'll cross viaducts, travel through rail tunnels and quaint sleepy railway towns. On arrival in Clyde, you'll get to ride a section of the newly completed spectacular Lake Dunstan trail as an added bonus!
You'll then have a free day in Queenstown within the beautiful Lakes District, before continuing northwards, crossing Haast Pass where you'll be greeted by lush rainforests and surreal coastlines featuring high cliffs and crashing seas. Your cycling efforts will be rewarded on reaching the world famous Fox Glacier. You’ll visit beautiful Lake Matheson before heading to Ross and the start of your third and final cycle trail, the West Coast Wilderness. Following extensive water races, logging tramways and historic railway lines, you will emerge on the rugged coast at Hokitika and ride to Greymouth.
You'll finish this epic journey by crossing the Southern Alps a second time at Arthur's Pass, and then descend to Christchurch to the end of this amazing adventure.