- Discover the beauty of New Zealand's Wild West Coast - Experience one of the World's Great Train Rides on the Trans Alpine Express - Cycle along quiet coastline and through rainforests. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: The Gold Mining Town of Arrowtown and Wanaka We begin our New Zealand Bike Tour in Queenstown where we cycle the easy lakeside track towards Frankton Arms and onto Arrowtown where we explore this beautiful old gold-mining town. By cycle we enter the top of Kawaru Gorge, taking time out to view the bungee jumping from the beautiful historic bridge. After watching folks in freefall, we enjoy a mostly downhill ride through the scenic Cardona Valley and into the town of Wanaka. We pause for afternoon tea before an afternoon of cycling either the lakeside tracks or the Clutha river edge. Meals: Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Archway Motels, Wanaka. Day 2: Cycling through the Gates of Haast An early morning ride takes us along the scenic edge of Lake Hawea. From here we drive to the top of Haast pass and into New Zealand's famous West Coast forests for a downhill cycle through the "Gates of Haast" to the shores of the Landsborough River where your guides prepare a picnic lunch. Our last stop today is the headquarters of the World Heritage Park for a video presentation about the rich and varied ecosystem of the Haast area. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Lodging: Heritage Park Lodge, Haast. Day 3: Cycling along the Coast and A Glacier Walk. New Zealand Bike Tour. Our morning ride takes us along peaceful forest roads to Bruce Bay. From Bruce Bay we shuttle to Fox Glacier for one of my favorite activities in all of New Zealand, a guided glacier hike. Options include a helicopter ride onto the glacier or trip to Lake Matheson. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Rainforest Motels, Fox Glacier Day 4: Exploring Franz Joseph. Leaving the town of Fox Glacier we cycle to the quaint alpine village of Franz Josef. After lunch enjoy some free time for shopping, exploring or join your guides for an afternoon hike. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Lodging: Punga Grove Motor Lodge, Franz Josef. Day 5: Cycling through Rain Forests. Stunning views await us as we cycle through ancient forests to the secluded Lake Ianthe and through pristine valleys on our way to the rainforests around Lake Kaniere and Mahinaupa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Jade Court Motel, Hokitika. Day 6: Arthur's Pass and the Trans Alpine Express A morning shuttle carries us through Beach Forests to Lake Brunner for stunning lake side views and a swim. From here we cycle New Zealand's rugged coastline and into the rugged mountains peaks of the Southern Alps. A shuttle takes us up over Arthur Pass before we remount our bikes for a ride through alpine meadows and into the village of Arthur's Pass. We conclude our tour by hoping aboard the Tranz Alpine Express, considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world, for a ride back to Christchurch. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. 2010 Tour Dates: - January 8-13, 2010 - February 4-9, 2010 - March 3-8, 2010 - March 30- April 4, 2010. Notes:
Vacation Poll
Also see tour packages in: Australia and Oceania New Zealand Outdoor: Land Rambler Bicycle Touring |
|||||||||||||||
