Day 1 - Christchurch

You will be met and greeted on arrival at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. Join us with the scenic afternoon tour of this picturesque city, including a highlight stop at the "Sign of the Takahe", where you will be treated to a bird's eye view of the city, the Canterbury plains, Southern Alps and the South Pacific Ocean. We will fit your bikes, before enjoying an evening at one of the many excellent local restaurants.

No Cycling

Day 2 - Christchurch - Lake Coleridge

The nearby Port Hills not only provide us with magnificent views, but are a mountain biker's dream. After lunch in Sumner we board our bus and will be driven to Lake Lyndon, a ninety minute drive across the Canterbury Plains, before we reach the lower peaks of the impressive Southern Alps. We cycle on a gravel road to Ryton Station, where we will be based for the next two days.

45km single trail & gravel road biking, 3.5h riding time, Summit Road Tracks 500Am, Lake Coleride 80Am, Meals: B/L/D

Day 3 - Lake Coleridge

After a hearty country breakfast we get on our bikes and make our way through the "high country". The Pinnacle Track guides us over meadows and rivers, up and down with fantastic views of the mountains and valleys. We have got all day to experience the peaceful natural surroundings on private farmland.

41km biking, 3.5hrs riding time, 860Am, Meals: B/L/D

Day 4 - Lake Coleridge - Omarama

The day starts with an upstream jetboat ride on the Rakaia River. This jetboat ride is an adventure in itself. Then we bike along the expansive riverbed of the Rakaia River and around the Mount Hutt Range. Overlooking the wide Plains is spectacular. At Lake Heron we load our bikes onto the trailer. During the 3 hour bus ride you will witness a dramatic change in landscape from barren farmland to rich fertile land of the Fairlie Basin, before we travel past the turquoise coloured Lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki. On a clear day, we can view the snowcapped famous peak of Aoraki, or "Mount Cook", the highest mountain of New Zealand. We then continue to Omarama or "Place of light" which is famed as a gliding centre.

45km biking, 685Am, Meals: B/L

Day 5 - Omarama - Shortland Station

For the next few days we will be accompanied by a local guide. We follow the Omarama stream with many river crossings before we climb to St Bathan`s pass. This is an old goldmining track and leads us to the little settlement of the same name. Today the former digging hole is a fantastic lake that varies in colour daily. A refreshing dip in the lake or a cold beer at the historic pub could finish this beautiful ride, before our bus takes us back to the farm.

45km km biking, 1045Am, Meals: B/L/D

Day 6 - Shortland Station / Danseys Pass

The Station owned by our hosts David & Glenys, is huge and a moutain biker's heaven. Today's track provides us with breathtaking views and a fantastic downhill ride. At the end of the day a scrumptious meal in Glenys' kitchen awaits us.

34km biking, 1140Am, Meals: B/L/D

Day 7 - Shortland Station - Alexandra

Phil our local MTB guide will show us some great tracks around Naseby Forest, the highest exotic forest in the South Island. We will then ride along the famous Otago Rail Trail. It is an old railway line, which has been officially converted into a cycling and hiking track. After lunch at Chatto Creek we cycle the final 25km to Alexandra.

85km biking, 850Am, Meals: B/L/D

Day 8 - Alexandra - Queenstown

Our local guide will lead us along the mighty Clutha River to Clyde. Then a steep ascent to the Bannockburn Range begins. As always we will be rewarded with magnificent views - this time across the old gold digger's country, and on a clear day we can see Mt. Cook in the distance. The last stretch for the day is a downhill ride to the well known wine-growing area of Bannockburn, where our Bus is waiting for us.

45km biking, 994Am, Meals: B/L

Day 9 - Queenstown - Departure

Queenstown - the outdoor adventure capital of the world! If time allows take the Gondola ride to the Skyline restaurant, viewpoint and luge ride. Don't miss the lake cruise aboard the historic steamship "Earnslaw", jetboating on the Shotover river, bungy jumping, white-water rafting, paragliding, or a visit to the Kiwi and Birdlife Park to see New Zealand's national icon in the flesh. Or take a day-trip to Fiordland's, beautiful Milford or Doubtful Sounds.

Please note that your trip may differ from the above itinerary either to better suit the needs of the group, or due to circumstances beyond our control such as the weather.