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Guided Tours - South Island
The South Island offers some of the best cycling in the world. Choose from one of the following spectacular tours:
The SOUTHERN ALPS 15 DAY tour takes one on a breathtaking loop through some of the world's finest scenery, from Christchurch down the West Coast to Queenstown and back to Christchurch. A SOUTHERN ALPS 10 DAY tour from Christchurch to Queenstown is also available.
The SOUTHERN GRAND 16 DAY tour starts in Picton with a magical ride around the Marlborough Sounds coastline, to Nelson Lakes National Park, and then it's down spectacular Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast. Pedal over Haast Pass and down to Wanaka and Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. This tour can be taken in two parts - The NELSON LAKES 7 DAYS and the WEST COAST 10 DAYS.
The SOUTHERN SCENIC 8 DAY follows the Southern Grand. Pass towering mountains and waterfalls to world famous Milford Sount, stay with a local farming family and finish at Larnach's Castle near Dunedin.
Southern Alps - 15 days
DEPARTURE DATES
16 Nov. - 30 Nov. 2009
16 Dec. - 30 Dec. 2009*
29 Jan. - 12 Feb. 2010
22 Mar. - 05 Apr. 2010
Accommodation includes luxury wilderness lodges, farmstay, alpine chalets and character inns.
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ITINERARY
DAY 1 CHRISTCHURCH
Meet in the cathedral city of Christchurch for a ride along the Port Hills.
DAY 2 ARTHUR'S PASS
Start biking at Porter's Pass through Southern Alps wilderness to Arthur's Pass.
DAY 3 HOKITIKA
After a short walk to the Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall enjoy a fabulous descent of Otira Gorge to the sea and Hokitika.
DAY 4 + 5 FRANZ JOSEF.
Time for a walk up the valley to the terminal ice and perhaps a scenic flight onto the snow.
DAY 6 LAKE MOERAKI.
Ride through lush rainforest to Lake Moeraki. Here we enjoy the comfort of the Wilderness Lodge, take a bush walk or canoe on the lake.
DAY 7 MAKARORA.
Enjoy an optional jet-boat ride up the Wilkin River in Mt Aspiring National Park.
DAY 8 WANAKA
To picturesque Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, famed for trout fishing.
DAY 9 + 10 QUEENSTOWN
Pass Arrowtown, a beautifully restored old gold mining town, on the way to Queenstown, surrounded by mountains on spectacular Lake Wakatipu. Try rafting, jet boating, a day trip to Milford Sound or a bungy jump.
DAY 11 OMARAMA
Ride through the Otago tussock country and across the Lindis Pass to McKenzie Country.
DAY 12 MT COOK
We ride alongside Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook, Australasia's highest mountain. Time to take in the grandeur of the scene with a walk up Hooker Valley.
DAY 13 FARM STAY
Ride to Lake Tekapo, down Burke's Pass to stay on a sheep farm at Fairlie.
DAY 14+15 CHRISTCHURCH
After a short ride through the Pareora Gorge we bus to Christchurch for a farewell dinner.
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Includes 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners.
* Christmas trips have a NZ$50 surcharge.
Meet: Noon. Christchurch
Trip End: After breakfast in Christchurch.
Route Rating: Moderate.
Mt. Cook chalets
Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge
Lake Wanaka
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Southern Alps - 10 days
The Southern Alps tour takes one on a breathtaking loop through some of the world's finest scenery. Stay in charming inns and hotels. Walk on a glacier, experience the rainforest on a range of short hikes and meet friendly New Zealanders. Besides great biking you can try jet-boating, rafting, scenic flights and bungy jumping. This is one of our most popular trips.
Departure Dates
16 Nov. - 25 Nov. 2009
16 Dec. - 25 Dec. 2009
29 Jan. - 07 Feb. 2010
14 Feb. - 23 Feb. 2010
22 Mar. - 31 Mar. 2010
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Includes 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners. |
ITINERARY
DAY 1 CHRISTCHURCH
Meet in the cathedral city of Christchurch for a ride along the Port Hills.
DAY 2 ARTHUR'S PASS
Start biking at Porter's Pass through Southern Alps wilderness to Arthur's Pass.
DAY 3 HOKITIKA
After a short walk to the Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall, enjoy a fabulous descent of Otira Gorge to the sea and Hokitika.
DAY 4 and 5 FRANZ JOSEF.
Time for a walk up the valley to the terminal ice and perhaps a scenic flight onto the snow.
DAY 6 LAKE MOERAKI.
Ride through lush rainforest to Lake Moeraki. Here we enjoy the comfort of the Wilderness Lodge, take a bush walk or canoe on the lake.
DAY 7 MAKARORA.
Take an optional jet-boat ride up the Wilkin River in Mt Aspiring National Park.
DAY 8 WANAKA
To picturesque Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, famed for trout fishing.
DAY 9 and 10 QUEENSTOWN
Pass Arrowtown, a beautifully restored old gold mining town. In Queenstown try rafting, jet boating, a day trip to Milford Sound or a bungy jump.
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Christmas/New Year trip has a NZ$50 surcharge.
Meet: Noon, Christchurch
Trip End: After breakfast in Queenstown
Route rating: Moderate
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Grand Tour - 16 days
This is the grand South Island experience. Wonderful biking with a superb range of magnificent scenery that includes four National Parks.
We start with a magical ride around the Marlborough Sounds coastline, to Nelson Lakes National Park, and then down spectacular Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast. See Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Paparoa National Park.
Pedal past picture perfect West Coast Glaciers and lakes, over Haast Pass and down to Wanaka and Queenstown, the bungy jumping capital of New Zealand.
The Grand Tour is comprised of two short tours combined: Nelson Lakes 7 days and West Coast 10 days
This tour can also be combined with Southern Scenic 8 days,
to make a magnificent 23 day tip to tip South Island tour.
Departure Dates
06 Jan - 21 Jan. 2010
25 Feb. - 12 Mar. 2010
ITINERARY
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DAY 1 PICTON.
Take a short ride around the bays.
DAY 2 NELSON
Along Queen Charlotte Drive with its beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds to New Zealand's sunniest city of Nelson.
DAY 3 ST ARNAUD.
We cycle through orchards and farmland on our way to Nelson Lakes National Park.
DAY 4 MURCHISON.
Time for a forest walk before following the Buller River down to Murchison.
DAY 5 WESTPORT.
Ride down impressive Buller Gorge to the sea and the start of the West Coast.
DAY 6+7 PUNAKAIKI
Visit a seal colony and the famous Pancake Rocks and blow holes. A rest day gives time to explore the area, go kayaking or walk in Paparoa National Park.
DAY 8 HOKITIKA
We head south along the rainforest clad coast to Greymouth and then to Hokitika, an old gold rush town.
DAY 9 HARIHARI
Ride through native bush, past lovely Lake Ianthe, renowned for trout fishing, and visit a wonderful craft shop at Harihari on the way to a deer park.
DAY 10+11 FOX GLACIER
Cycle over Mt Hercules into Westland National Park, with superb views of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. A rest day gives time for a walk to the glacier, a day on the beach, a visit to the white heron colony, or a scenic flight.
DAY 12 LAKE MOERAKI
Time for an early morning walk around Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Mts Cook and Tasman. Ride through tall stands of ancient rainforest to stay at a beautiful lodge overlooking the Moeraki River. Canoe on the lake or take a bush walk.
DAY 13 MAKARORA
Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun.
DAY 14 WANAKA.
Spectacular mountain and lake views as we pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka.
DAY 15 + 16 QUEENSTOWN.
Over the Crown Range to the quaint old gold mining town of Arrowtown. Queenstown lies ahead with a chance for exciting activities: rafting, jet-boating, a scenic flight or a lake cruise on the historic SS Earnslaw.
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Accommodation includes award-winning eco-tourism hotel, alpine lodge and friendly luxury lodge.
Includes 15 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 12 dinners.
Meet: 1 pm. Picton
Trip End: After breakfast in Queenstown
Route Rating: Moderate.
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Nelson Lakes - 7 days
We start with a magical ride around the Marlborough Sounds coastline, to Nelson Lakes National Park, and then it's down spectacular Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast. See Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Paparoa National Park.
Departure Dates
06 Jan. - 12 Jan. 2010
25 Feb. - 03 Mar. 2010
ITINERARY
DAY 1 PICTON.
Take a short ride around the bays.
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Includes 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners. |
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DAY 2 NELSON.
Along Queen Charlotte Drive with its beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds to New Zealand's sunniest city of Nelson.
DAY 3 ST ARNAUD.
We cycle through orchards and farmland on our way to Nelson Lakes National Park.
DAY 4 MURCHISON.
Time for a forest walk before following the Buller River down to Murchison.
DAY 5 WESTPORT.
Ride down impressive Buller Gorge to the sea and the start of the West Coast.
DAY 6 PUNAKAIKI
Visit a seal colony and the famous Pancake Rocks and blow holes at Punakaiki.
DAY 7 CHRISTCHURCH
This morning our mini-bus travels across the Alps to Arthurs Pass. We stop en route for lunch on our way back to Christchurch, where our tour finishes.
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Meet: 1.00 pm at Picton
Trip End: Evening in Christchurch.
Route Rating: Moderate
Buller Gorge
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West Coast - 10 days
Pedal past picture perfect West Coast Glaciers and lakes, over Haast Pass and down to Wanaka and Queenstown, the bungy jumping capital of New Zealand.
DEPARTURE DATES
12 Jan. - 21 Jan. 2010
03 Mar. - 12 Mar. 2010
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ITINERARY
DAY 1 PUNAKAIKI
The mini-bus departs Christchurch this morning before heading across the Alps to Punakaiki.
DAY 2 HOKITIKA
We head south along the rainforest clad coast to Greymouth and then to Hokitika, an old gold rush town.
DAY 3 HARIHARI
Ride through native bush, past lovely Lake Ianthe, renowned for trout fishing, and visit a wonderful craft shop at Harihari on the way to a deer park.
DAY 4+ 5 FOX GLACIER
Cycle over Mt Hercules into Westland National Park, with superb views of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. A rest day gives time for a walk to the glacier, a day on the beach, a visit to the white heron colony, or a scenic flight.
DAY 6 LAKE MOERAKI
Time for an early morning walk around Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Mts Cook and Tasman. Ride through tall stands of ancient rainforest to stay at a beautiful lodge overlooking the Moeraki River. Canoe on the lake or take a bush walk.
DAY 7 MAKARORA
Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun.
DAY 8 WANAKA.
Spectacular mountain and lake views as we pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka.
DAY 9 + 10 QUEENSTOWN
Over the Crown Range to the quaint old gold mining town of Arrowtown. Queenstown lies ahead with a chance for exciting activities: rafting, jet-boating, a scenic flight or a lake cruise on the historic SS Earnslaw.
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Includes 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners.
Meet: 9.00 am. Christchurch
Trip End: After breakfast in Queenstown.
Route Rating: Moderate
Accommodation includes an award-winning eco-tourism hotel, and friendly luxury alpine and wilderness lodges.
Lake Matheson
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Southern Scenic - 8 days
The Grand Tour can be extended to a wonderful 23-day holiday by combining it with the Southern Scenic route, or the Southern Scenic can be taken as a magnificent week long holiday by itself.
We follow the road to Milford Sound, cycling through towering mountains, beside lakes and innumerable waterfalls. Much of our route is on very quiet sealed roads with little or no traffic. We finish at Larnach's Castle on beautiful Otago Peninsula, close to the city of Dunedin.
Departure Dates
21 Jan. - 28 Jan. 2010
12 Mar. - 19 Mar. 2010
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Includes 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners, and cruise on Milford Sound.
Meet: 5.00 pm. Queenstown.
Trip End: After breakfast in Dunedin
Route rating: Moderate
Accommodation includes a character lodge in the grounds of a castle, and a farmstay.
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ITINERARY
DAY 1 QUEENSTOWN
We meet at the hotel late afternoon where our guides will assist you with unpacking your bike or fitting you to your rental before heading off for an introductory ride around Queenstown.
DAY 2 TE ANAU
A beautiful ride beside Lake Wakatipu to Kingston, where the vintage steam train departs.
DAY 3 TE ANAU
Drive to Milford Sound (fiord) along one of the most spectacular roads in the world, with plenty of stops for beautiful walks on the way. Lunch overlooking Mitre Peak, take a cruise on scenic Milford Sound then drive back to Te Anau.
DAY 4 OTAUTAU
We stay with a local farming family.
DAY 5 INVERCARGILL
Around the coast to Invercargill, New Zealand's most southerly city.
DAY 6 PAPATOWAI
Quiet rural riding through mixed farm land and the Catlins Forest, an area of native bush, waterfalls and beautiful deserted beaches. Some excellent coastal views.
DAY 7 + 8 DUNEDIN
Dunedin is a small attractive city with a rich architectural heritage and strong Scottish ancestry. You may like to spend additional time on spectacular Otago peninsula, and visit the albatross and penguin colonies.
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 Larnach Castle, Dunedin
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Canterbury Wine - 2 days
Indulge your passion for good wine and fine dining and join us for a leisurely wine tour. Soak in the hot outdoor spa at Hanmer Springs. Quiet country roads and our support vehicle to carry your wine purchases make for a great short break.
Meet: 9 am. Christchurch
Trip End: Mid afternoon in Christchurch.
Tours will be run on request for a minimum of two cyclists.
Essential to pre book.
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ITINERARY
DAY 1. HANMER SPRINGS.
You will be met at your hotel in Christchurch (we will be pleased to arrange accommodation for you) to try out your bikes.
We will then take you out of the city to a delightful quiet road where you will cycle to a succession of vineyards on your way to Hanmer Springs, an attractive village set in a natural amphitheatre. There are hot mineral pools opposite your lodging and the opportunity to try bungy jumping or jet-boating.
DAY 2 CHRISTCHURCH.
A delightful ride along a quiet valley before lunch at a vineyard. We then meander along quiet roads past more vineyards and the historic steam train at Waikari, finishing mid afternoon. It is a short drive back to Christchurch, to your hotel or the airport.
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Includes all meals.
Route Rating: Gentle.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve
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Banks Peninsula - 4 days
Extinct volcanoes and challenging hills will reward you with breathtaking panoramas and exhilarating descents. Savour the atmosphere of Akaroa's French heritage and the high quality Bed & Breakfasts. Dolphin watching is an optional extra not to be missed.
Accommodation includes a character bed and breakfast, and a homestay.
ITINERARY
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DAY 1 CHRISTCHURCH.
We meet in the evening to try out the bikes and sample one of the city's many fine restaurants.
DAY 2 CHURCH BAY.
Ride from the city to the sea at Sumner, then cross Evans Pass to the attractive port of Lyttelton. Skirting Lyttelton Harbour, with its many bays, we ride to Church Bay. Our comfortable home stay has superb views of the bays and hills.
DAY 3 + 4 AKAROA.
It is a mostly flat ride to Little River where the support van will take you to Hilltop to enjoy a wonderful descent to Duvauchelle on Akaroa Harbour. The village of Akaroa was settled by the French in 1840 and still retains a distinct French flavour. Time to explore the village or take a dolphin watching cruise on the harbour.
On the final day you will be driven up to the Summit Road overlooking the harbour to cycle back to Little River on the high road. From here it is a short drive back to Christchurch.
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DATES
This tour will be run on request at any time for a minimum of 2 cyclists.
Meet: 5.00 pm Christchurch
Trip End: mid afternoon in Christchurch
Includes all meals.
Route Rating: Challenging.
New Zealand traffic jam
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