Set off on a New Zealand bucket-list ride from the foot of Mt. Cook to the Pacific Ocean, including a scenic flight. Enjoy six days of stunning landscapes, mountains, lakes, rolling countryside, and us taking care of every detail.
Start - End: Christchurch - Christchurch
Total trip: 6 days
Average group size: 12 people
Level: 2
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There's no shortage of breathtaking views on our 6-day E-bike adventure tour through the world-famous Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail – New Zealand's longest continuous cycle trail. After driving from Christchurch to the cozy Mount Cook Village, you'll hop on your E-bike and enjoy riding under the towering mountains of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. This adventure continues with a helicopter ride across the Tasman River, cycling alongside Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau, enjoying views along the sweeping Waitaki Valley, and ending at the Pacific Ocean in Oamaru. With two guides and plenty of picnic breaks along the way, you'll finish every day of your adventure ride happy and satisfied!
If you're looking for more biking adventures, such as in Vietnam, USA, Netherlands, we recommend exploring our sister brand, Discovery Bicycle Tours.
IMPORTANT: E-Bikes are included in the trip cost.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Pedal beneath New Zealand’s highest peak as you begin your journey surrounded by the dramatic alpine landscapes of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Braemar Road to Twizel
Cycle past shimmering glacial lakes and wide-open tussock plains on this peaceful stretch from Braemar Road to the welcoming town of Twizel.
Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge
Ride through rolling farmland and alongside sparkling canals before reaching the tranquil shores of Lake Ohau and its cozy lodge retreat.
Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama
Climb steadily through golden tussock country to reach the high point of the trail before descending to the quiet, alpine-flanked village of Ōmarama.
Omarama to Otematata
Follow quiet backroads through rugged high-country landscapes and alongside the Ahuriri River on this scenic ride from Omarama to Otematata.
Otematata to Duntroon
Journey past shimmering hydro lakes and over the rolling hills of the Waitaki Valley, finishing in the charming rural village of Duntroon.
Duntroon to Oamaru
Cycle through limestone country, past ancient Māori rock art and pastoral landscapes, before arriving at the historic Victorian precinct of Oamaru by the sea.
Tasman River Flight
Soar above braided turquoise channels and towering peaks on a scenic Tasman River flight that gives you a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Aoraki/Mount Cook’s wilderness.
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Leaving the city behind, we’ll head south toward the magnificent Aoraki Mount Cook. Along the way we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps.
After being fitted with our e-bikes, we will journey into Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park where we’ll embark on a scenic ride to White Horse Hill Campground.
We’ll be spending the night at lodgings in Aoraki Mount Cook Village. Get a good sleep tonight, tomorrow our ride to the ocean begins!
Accommodation: Mt Cook Lodge and Motels, Mt Cook
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 4 miles (6 kilometers)
Notes: Test ride on smooth, level terrain.
After breakfast at our accommodation this morning, it's a short ride from the start of our trail at White Horse Hill Campground, to the helipad, where comes an experience you won't soon forget - a helicopter flight over the Tasman River to 'Rotten Tommy', the next section of the Alps to Ocean trail. Our pilot will fly us and our bikes over the thundering waters of the river, flowing out of New Zealand's longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. Be sure to stock up your day pack with snacks from the basket on the bus before we head off!
Our ride today takes us from the end of Braemar road to Tekapo B Power Station, one of the hydroelectric stations on this network. The system transfers water from Lakes Tekapo and Ohau to lakes Pukaki, Benmore, and Aviemore, and finally along the Waitaki River to the Pacific on the East Coast, and is responsible for generating a vast amount of New Zealand's annual energy requirement. From Tekapo B Power Station, we'll skirt the rest of the east side of Lake Pukaki, but before we leave this lake behind, we'll pause at the lookout point for an opportunity to capture one of the most famous scenes in New Zealand - looking across the cobalt blue water of the lake to Aoraki Mt. Cook, where our ride started yesterday.
Tonight we’ll stay in the Mackenzie Country basin, with stunning views stretching across the Southern Alps. The area is known for the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with light pollution strictly controlled, so it’s the ideal spot to stargaze!
Accommodation: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: Options:
Elevation Gain/Loss: Up to 345 feet (105 meters) ascent, 1,155 feet (358 meters) descent
Notes: Our terrain today is rolling with periodic gentle hills and declines. Vehicle support is available at points along the way.
Today, under our own steam, we'll travel along the winding canal to the shores of Lake Ohau. We’ll leave behind us the town of Twizel, built initially as a settlement for construction workers working on the hydroelectric scheme, these days Twizel has a character all of its own! Our ride today winds mostly along quiet, sealed roads, though towards the end of our pedal we'll negotiate smooth shingle on the wide biking trail leading up to Ohau Lodge. You can be forgiven for being distracted by the views along this stretch, looking across to Lake Ohau and the surrounding peaks.
If we’re up for it, we’ll conquer the grunty climb up from the Lodge at 1,837 feet (560 meters) to the highest point on the whole trail, Tarnbrae, at 2,953 feet (900 meters). Along the way, we'll cross Parsons, Sawyers, and Freehold Creek, and be able to look across to the route we rode today.
Once we hop over the top, it's a glorious uninterrupted downhill to Quailburn Road where we'll hop on the bus and drive back to Ohau Lodge for the night – if we’re lucky we may be able to relax in the hot tub on the deck! We'll dine together tonight in the Lodge restaurant.
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge, Ohau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: Options:
Elevation Gain/Loss: Up to 1,760 feet (520 meters) ascent, 965 feet (295 meters) descent
Notes: To Lake Ohau Lodge (first 38 kilometers), we’ll ride through a diverse landscape of flat, rolling, and hilly sections. Vehicle support is available at points along the way. The final 19 kilometers is unsupported and no vehicle access is available.
Today's section of the Alps to Ocean trail starts where we finished yesterday, with an easy downhill section on Quailburn Road, all the way to Omarama. Omarama is the gliding capital of New Zealand - due to its position on a flat plain surrounded by taller peaks, the thermals here are perfect for flying without an engine, so be sure to look up occasionally!
From Omarama, we'll push on down to Sailor’s Cutting, and our favorite portion of the ride! The trail winds its way around the Ahuriri arm of Lake Benmore, well hidden from the highway, and the trail will take us up to the Benmore Hydro Dam, the largest dam within the Waitaki power scheme.
We’ll hope off our bikes once we arrive in Otematata where we’ll spend the night.
Accommodation: Otematata Lakeside Apartments, Otematata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: Options:
Elevation Gain/Loss: Up to 541 feet (165 meters) ascent, 692 feet (211 meters) descent
Notes: We’ll ride through a diverse landscape of flat, rolling, and hilly sections. Vehicle support is available at points along the way.
Our day starts with a 30-mile (45-kilometer) ride from Otematata to Kurow, and almost all of this section is on low-traffic, tar-sealed roads- which might be a welcome break for your bum after yesterday's climb! We'll pass over the Benmore Hydro Dam, New Zealand's secondlargest hydro station, before skirting the edge of Lake Aviemore and on to Kurow. Kurow is New Zealand's most up-and-coming pinot noir region, the limestone-rich soils have proved a great tonic for the vines.
After a leg stretch, we’ll jump back on our bikes and tackle the second part of the day, a 28-kilometer ride from Kurow to Duntroon. This predominantly gravel trail brings us alongside the Waitaki River and sweeps along the valley. Today is our biggest day in the saddle, so we'll be taking it easy and making sure everyone is well-fuelled and hydrated. There’s plenty to see along this diverse trail - we'll pass vineyards, rivers, and the Takiroa Maori rock art site - a limestone shelter containing several pieces of rock art dating back to between 1400 and 1900 AD.
Once we arrive in Duntroon, we'll continue onto Oamaru, to spend the night and share our last dinner together!
Accommodation: Brydone Hotel, Oamaru
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: Options:
Elevation Gain/Loss: Up to 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 935 feet (285 meters) descent
Notes: Our ride today is predominantly flat terrain with occasional gentle slopes. Vehicle support is available at points along the way.
Today is our last day together, and we'll finish in style - with the final ride from Duntroon to the Pacific Ocean at Oamaru. Today is another big day, but we'll be motivated by the upcoming reward of the Pacific East Coast! Most of our ride today is on smooth shingle and away from traffic. We'll pass through irrigated farmland, as well as Elephant Rocks, so-called because of their likeness to, you guessed it, elephants - this limestone formation was millions of years in the making! We're following an old railway for part of our ride today, which includes a tunnel of around 328 feet in length (100 meters).
When we reach Oamaru, we'll wind our way into Oamaru Gardens, which the trail passes through, and follow our noses through the Victorian Historic Precinct to the harbor where the trail ends at the aptly named 'Friendly Bay'. We'll all have been enriched by new friendships, and by the feeling of achievement that comes with completing New Zealand's longest continuous cycle trail.
After exploring the Victorian Precinct on foot, we'll hit the road back to Christchurch and say our goodbyes.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: Options:
Elevation Gain/Loss: Up to 1,215 feet (370 meters) ascent, 1,590 feet (485 meters) descent
Notes: Our ride today is on hilly terrain, characterized by frequent and steeper inclines. Vehicle support is available at points along the way.
On the first morning of the trip, please meet us outside reception at the Merivale Manor at 9:00am, our designated departure point for all guests on your trip. Please make your own arrangements to get there. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Christchurch. Be prepared today with comfortable closed toe footwear for this evening's short ride once we reach Aoraki, Mount Cook.
Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Christchurch Airport (CHC) in time for flights below or anywhere in Central Christchurch around 6pm.
Arrival: We recommend arriving in Christchurch the day before your trip begins, or earlier, to accommodate potential flight delays and give you time to explore the city before your adventure starts.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Christchurch after 6pm for domestic and 7pm for international departures. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.
We have selected the accommodation on your trip for their stunning settings and adventuresome feel. You’ll love the places you’ll stay in on this trip, but it’s not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels in New Zealand.
Laundry facilities will be available at your accommodation on days 2 & 3. Please check with reception on check-in, or we can do that for you.
Getting from one breathtaking destination to the next in New Zealand means road travel is essential. That’s why having comfortable, reliable transport plays a big role in making your adventure vacation enjoyable.
We own and operate our very own fleet of medium-sized coaches — perfectly suited for New Zealand’s unique roads. They’re ideal for accessing the country’s iconic highlights and venturing off the beaten track to the lesser-known places most travelers miss.
So sit back, relax, and let us take the wheel. Your New Zealand adventure is calling — and we’ll make sure you travel in comfort and style.
By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here.
*Terms and conditions apply - read more here.
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Our passion for exploration is rooted in a strong connection to the natural beauty of our home, New Zealand, and the drive to venture beyond its shores to discover a world different to our own.
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