10-Night E-bike Trail Tour of the South Island
Full Tour Itinerary
Day One - Christchurch
After settling into the hotel, the group meets for the first time in the afternoon. Time and weather permitting, we 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. Bike fittings will take place today.
Cycling: No Cycling
Accommodation: The Distinction or alternative Quest Cathedral Junction
Meals: Welcome dinner
Day Two - Christchurch to Lake Ohau: Alps2Ocean
We leave Christchurch early and drive south through the Canterbury Plains heading towards Twizel where we get ready for our first ride. Leaving from Twizel township, we ride along the Alps2Ocean trail to the edge of Lake Ohau. The Ben Ohau Range dwarfs all and sundry as we follow the lake foreshore towards Lake Ohau Village and its Lodge – perfectly positioned for post-ride refreshments, and our accommodation for the night.
Cycling: Alps 2 Ocean - Lake Pukaki to Lake Ohau Lodge (56km) Grade 2/Easy
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Three - Lake Ohau to Cromwell: Alps2Ocean
After breakfast at the lodge, we take a short drive to Omarama, where we will continue along another (and newest) section of the A2O. Cycling along Lake Benmore and then taking in the newly opened section from Sailors Cutting to Benmore Dam is an incredible experience with amazing scenery. Continue riding to Aviemore Dam, where the van will transport the group to Cromwell for the night.
Cycling: Cycling: Alps 2 Ocean – Omarama to Aviemore Dam (50kms) Grade 2/3 – Easy to Intermediate
Accommodation: Lake Resort Heritage, Cromwell
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Four - Cromwell to Clyde: Lake Dunstan Trail
Today’s ride starts right from the hotel on the Lake Dunstan Trail. One of the newest trails in New Zealand, it’s spectacular engineering and incredible views are truly breath taking. The trail ends in Clyde, where we spend the night.
Cycling: Lake Dunstan Trail. 46km, Grade 2-3/ Easy to Intermediate.
Accommodation: Olivers Central Otago
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Five - Clyde to Queenstown: Roxburgh Gorge Trail
After another beautiful breakfast, we head out on our bikes first thing to ride the stunning Roxburgh Gorge. The trail also incorporates a 45 minute boat ride up the river (included in tour cost). At the end of the ride, the group will be transported to Queenstown, our destination for the next 2 nights.
Cycling: Clyde to Roxburgh Gorge = 12.5km, plus 32kms on the Roxburgh Gorge (+ 13km by jetboat), Grade 2-3 (Easy - Intermediate)
Accommodation: The Copthorne Lakefront
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Six - Queenstown
Today we take a break from the bikes to explore one of the many activities Queenstown has to offer (all activities optional, not included in tour price). We highly recommend an excursion to Milford or Doubtful Sound - all can be pre-booked prior to travel and paid for on the day of the activity.
Cycling: No cycling
Accommodation: The Copthorne Lakefront
Meals: No meals included today
Day Seven - Queenstown to Wanaka: Queenstown Trail
In the morning you will cycle the beautiful Queenstown trail to the legendary gold mining town of Arrowtown. From Arrowtown, follow a cycle path to Kawarau Bridge and then be driven over the Crown Range for incredible views, past the famous Cardrona Hotel and then on to Wanaka where we will spend the night.
Cycling: Queenstown Trail to Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge (40km). Grade 2-3/Easy-Intermediate
Accommodation: The Wanaka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Eight - Wanaka to Fox Glacier: Hawea River Track
This morning we ride directly from the hotel on the Wanaka Lakeside Trail, then down past Hawea River, ending at Gladstone. The van will then take us through the Mt Aspiring National Park to Fox Glacier for the evening.
Cycling: Approx 35km
Accommodation: Lake Matheson Motel or Alternative Heartland Glacier Country
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Nine - Fox Glacier to Hokitika: West Coast Wilderness Trail
The day starts with a pre-breakfast hike to the Lake Matheson lookout for spectacular views of Mount Tasman and Mt Cook/Aoraki. For those wanting a bit of excitement, this morning presents a great opportunity to take a heli-flight over the Glaciers (weather permitting, pre-booking essential, not included in the tour). After breakfast, we head north to start our first ride on the West Coast Wilderness Trail near Treetops Café. We ride to Hokitika for lunch on the beach. After lunch, for those wanting to ride more, we drive up to Lake Kaniere for a downhill ride on the water race back to Hokitika, our destination for the night
Cycling: West Coast Wilderness Trail (Ross to Hokitika 33km) Grade 2/easy to Grade 3/intermediate (on-road sections are Grade 3/intermediate)
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel or alternative Stopforths
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Ten - Hokitika to Christchurch via the TranzAlpine
It’s back on the bikes this morning for the last time and another stretch of the West Coast Wilderness trail – this time from Kumara to Greymouth – arriving in time to board the TranzAlpine for your spectacular train journey over Arthur’s Pass, back to Christchurch. A farewell dinner is included for the group tonight.
Cycling: 31km, Grade 2/easy
Accommodation: The Distinction or alternative Quest Cathedral Junction
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Day Eleven - Departure Day
It's time to head home after ten days on tour. Please let us know if you wish for airport transfers to be organised (extra cost).
Meals: No meals included today
Tour Includes:
x10 nights in mostly 4 - 5 star accommodation (pre and post nights can be arranged on request for an additional cost)
x8 breakfasts, x3 dinners, 8 Lunches & Daily Snacks
Air-conditioned Mercedes Benz Sprinter Coach
Luggage transport during the entire journey (luggage is transported on the bus during the cycling stages)
2 guides/drivers on trips of 8 or more people
Jet Boat Ride in Roxburgh Gorge
TranzAlpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch
E-bike hire
Panniers
Multi tool, tyre levers, spare tube and repair kit
All Department of Conservation fees and trail fees
Tour Excludes:
- Meals/food not included in itinerary
- Airfares/travel costs to/from the start/finish of the tour
- Airport transfers (can be arranged on request for additional cost)
- Drinks (except water during the cycling), telephone & mini-bar costs
- Personal expenses such as laundry, any internet charges etc
- Drink bottles
- Helmet. It is law that Helmet’s must be worn and they can be purchased for guests prior to arrival for $35, or you are welcome to bring your own
Bike Information
We use the Merida eBig Seven/Nine 300SE E-bike, which is arguably the most versatile e-bike in Merida's range. It's a bike that can handle serious off-road riding but also provides the the perfect balance of day-to-day usability. It has a long lasting 504Wh battery and a Shimano drive unit - it's the perfect bike for our trails.
- A removable gel seat can be supplied for no extra charge
- Carrier and back cage to for x1 Pannier (provided)
- Helmet can be supplied at no extra charge