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 rain forest on a range of short hikes and meet friendly New Zealanders.
Ride to Mt Cook and stay on a sheep farm. Besides great biking you can try jet-boating, rafting, scenic flights and bungy jumping. This is one of our most popular trips.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: The tour starts in the cathedral city of Christchurch, (pop. 350,000) New Zealand's cycling capital. It is an attractive city with the river Avon winding its way through the center bordered by weeping willows, and has an excellent botanical garden at Hagley Park. The hotel is only a 10 minute walk from Cathedral Square and about 15 minutes drive from Christchurch International Airport. Your tour leader will hold a trip orientation meeting prior to lunch. Time will be set aside to fit you to your rental bike or unpack your own. (L), (D)
Day 2: Our minibus takes us through the suburbs and across the Canterbury Plains to the Torlesse Range and Porters Pass (929m). At the top of the pass we unload the bikes to enjoy an exhilarating descent to Lake Lyndon. The terrain is rolling as we pass Lakes Pearson, Grasmere and Sarah on our way to the Waimakariri River and the gentle climb through dense beech forest to Arthur's Pass National Park. (B), (L), (D)
Day 3: We ride through beech forest to Arthur’s Pass village and then climb to the top of the pass, dominated by Mt Rolleston (2270 m). The descent through Otira Gorge is very spectacular and initially steep. From Jacksons (a quaint old pub) the terrain is gentle as we ride alongside the Taramakau River. Through stands of native forest, we reach Kumara (tavern) where we meet to drive the last few miles to our lodging. (B), (L), (D)
Day 4: Hokitika is known for greenstone (jade) which is collected from local river beds and can be seen worked in a shop factory. Crossing the Hokitika River we head south through native bush of rimu and kahikatea (white pine). The country is rolling with one climb after the town of Harihari and a final flat run from Whataroa. Entering Westland National Park as we pass beautiful Lake Mapourika, we have superb views of snow-capped peaks. (B), (L), (D)
Day 5: A walk up the glacier valley gives spectacular views of the terminal ice, while the Westland National Park Visitors Centres house a wealth of information. (Thirteen percent of N.Z. is national park). Also highly recommended are ski- plane or helicopter flights over snowfields, forests and glaciers. Neighbouring Okarito Beach, site of Abel Tasman's landfall and once a thriving town, is a further option. (B)
Day 6: From Franz Josef to Fox Glacier is just 24 km, but includes three quite severe climbs (and descents); it is through beautiful native forest. The remaining terrain is very gently undulating. From Fox to Lake Paringa the road passes through lush rain forest of rimu and rata, flax filled swamps and past rugged hills. The many rivers become raging torrents after rain. With fine weather there will be superb views of Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps. (B), (L)
Day 7: Just south of Lake Moeraki, Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun. From Haast we head inland, following the Haast River towards the snowcapped peaks. We pass innumerable waterfalls and much bird life, notably keas, fantails and bellbirds. After lunch the stiff climb through the Gates of Haast is negotiated before the gentle descent to Makarora. (B), (L), (D)
Day 8: The country is now dramatically drier, dense bush giving way to open sheep paddocks. The road closely follows Lake Wanaka, crosses the Neck to Lake Hawea and then recrosses to Lake Wanaka. (B)
Day 9: Our route today takes us up the Crown Range, over the Cardrona Road. We climb past the historic Cardrona Hotel; on reaching the top there will be amazing views of The Remarkables mountain range and Queenstown. We descend the exhilarating hairpin bends down to Arrowtown, with its quaint old cottages and avenues of elms.
An easy flat ride beneath Coronet Peak, a winter ski field, takes us to Arthur's Point where we cross the Shotover River on our way to Queenstown. Surrounded by mountain peaks (including the famous Remarkables), and set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has much to offer. (B), (L), (D)
Day 10: Options today include a jet boat or rafting trip on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, the steamer "Earnslaw" to visit a high country sheep station, the gondola cableway, Skippers canyon, a flight to Milford Sound (fiord), and much more. Queenstown also has an excellent botanical garden and a very good shopping centre. (B)
Day 11: We drive from Queenstown to Cromwell, on Lake Dunstan, as we head for Lindis Pass (971m), with its huge sheep stations of 25 to 30,000 acres. From the tiny settlement of Tarras the road climbs gently beside the Lindis river with its weeping willows. The summit affords sweeping views of Otago tussock country and a wonderful descent to Omarama known for fly fishing and gliding. (B), (L), (D)
Day 12: Mt. Cook, our next destination, should be visible before Twizel is reached (the town was built to house dam and canal construction workers and has an interesting audio-visual display centre). The road to Twizel is flat and thereafter gently undulating. The ride alongside Lake Pukaki will bring spectacular Tasman Glacier and Mt. Cook village ever closer. (B), (L), (D)
Day 13: To fully appreciate the beauty of the area we take a walk up Hooker Valley to Hooker Glacier terminal moraine, the start of the trans-alpine Copland Track. The day's ride starts near the outlet of Lake Pukaki and follows the Tekapo canal through the wide open spaces of the MacKenzie Basin. At Tekapo the church of the Good Shepherd's stained glass window is a photographic must. Down Burkes Pass we ride to Fairlie, where we meet our farm hosts. (B), (D)
Day 14: Your hosts will show you their property and a little of their lifestyle and then we cycle along a very attractive quiet road through a gorge to Cave; the road then sidles above the Pareora Gorge, following the main water route to Timaru. Approaching Timaru you will pass lifestyle blocks (small farms). Here we take our minibus back to Christchurch for our farewell dinner. (B), (L), (D)
Day 15: Christchurch - It is here that we must say farewell, a safe journey home and hope to see you again. (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Fully supported tour by comfortable mini van with a seat for everyone
- Purpose built trailer to carry bikes
- Knowledgeable friendly local guide
- Accommodation in mostly 3-star resorts, hotels and motels. Some 4-star
- Accommodation. An emphasis on individual, friendly lodges where available
- Dinner most nights
- Cooked breakfasts every day
- Picnic or café lunches some days
- Pedaltours cycling jersey or T-shirt
- Wine with final dinner, and wine and cheese briefings every 2-3 days
- Daily Maps, with profiles, one per cyclist, plus South Island map
Drink bottles, two
Price Excludes:
- Alcohol other than specified
- Flights
- Sightseeing other than specified
Cycle hire is an additional charge.
Note: There is a 10% discount on November trips. Christmas trips have a NZ$50 surcharge.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Bicycle Touring
Hiking & Trekking
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