5 - 10 guests
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Read more about the Active Range
Price
USD $3899/per adult (+tax)
Tax info:
Our New Zealand trip fares are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST 15%)
Next available departure
16 Dec - 21 Dec
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
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 exhausted!
IMPORTANT: E-Bikes are included in the trip cost.
Get a print-friendly PDF version of this itinerary - you will also get a copy in your inbox!
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Biking
Braemar Road to Twizel
Biking
Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge
Biking
Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama
Biking
Omarama to Otematata
Biking
Otematata to Duntroon
Biking
Duntroon to Oamaru
Biking
Tasman River Flight
Plus ...
Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDFDay 1
Whether you’re combining this trip with a longer South Island adventure or simply taking a well-deserved week out of your day-to-day life, Christchurch is just a short journey from any other New Zealand airport. We recommend arriving the day before we start our trip. If that’s not possible, you’ll just need to make sure you arrive into Christchurch before 10am. Once we’ve met you at the pick-up hotel or Christchurch Airport, we’ll head south to the magnificent Aoraki Mount Cook. Along the way we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Once we arrive in Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, we'll be fitted with e-bikes for our trip which are perfect for the backcountry gravel roads and trails we’ll be traveling on. Once fitted, we’ll embark on a scenic ride to White Horse Hill Campground. If there's time today we'll take a popular walk along Hooker Valley. To wrap up an adventure-packed day 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!
Aoraki Mt Cook Lodgings, Mt Cook Village (Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 9 kilometers (5.6 miles), 2-3 hours (time permitting)
Biking: 4 kilometers (2.5 miles)
Day 2
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!
Mackenzie Country Hotel, Mackenzie Country (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Biking: 73.5 kilometers (45.6 miles)
Day 3
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 560 (1837 feet) meters to the highest point on the whole trail, Tarnbrae, at 900 meters (2953 feet). 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 in the deck! We'll dine together tonight in the Lodge restaurant.
Lake Ohau Lodge, Ohau (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Biking: 58.5 kilometers (36.3 miles)
Day 4
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 favourite 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.
Otematata Lakeside Apartments, Otematata (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Biking: 58 kilometers (36 miles)
Day 5
Our day starts with a 45-kilometer (30 miles) 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 second-largest 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!
Brydone Hotel, Oamaru (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Biking: 72 kilometers (44.7 miles)
Day 6
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 100 meters in length (328 feet). 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.
No Accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch)
Biking: 52 kilometers (32.3 miles)
Tax info:
Our New Zealand trip fares are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST 15%)
Get in touch with our specialized team to find out more and get personalized advice.
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Want to visit both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand? Relish biking but also love to hike? Yearn for a challenge but also need a holiday? When you book two fully guided small group tours in New Zealand during the month of August, you’ll receive 20% off* your second trip.
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.
T&Cs Apply. Read more here.
You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace.
We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional and warm style of hosting. We’re always here to help with planning... even hiking boot recommendations!
We've got everything covered – top-notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you'll get to know your fellow travelers and have the flexibility to go at your own pace.
All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy an authentic local experience.
We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.
