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Hop on your bike and set out to uncover some of New Zealand’s most incredible landscapes on this 6-day, fully guided and supported Alps to Ocean cycling tour of the South Island.
Cycle Route: Christchurch -Tekapo - Twizel - Omarama - Kurow - Enfield - Christchurch
Departing from Christchurch, head down to Tekapo, passing through the Canterbury Plains to the golden Mackenzie Country. Explore the breathtaking Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, marvel at the sky-scraping peaks and unwind in the region’s geothermal ...
Departing from Christchurch, head down to Tekapo, passing through the Canterbury Plains to the golden Mackenzie Country. Explore the breathtaking Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, marvel at the sky-scraping peaks and unwind in the region’s geothermal hot pools. Journey on to Twizel and follow the ancient pathways through the Waitaki Valley, where you will be awe-struck by spectacular lakes, fascinating hyrdro dams and charming vineyards. A leisurely ride through storybook countryside leads to the historic port town of Oamaru and the finish line. Highlights along the way include New Zealand’s world-class food and wine, Maori rock art and otherworldly alpine vistas. You will also enjoy warm hospitality in accommodation full of heritage charm.
This luxury cycling tour includes 5-nights’ accommodation in handpicked, 4-star hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis. All meals are provided along with all-inclusive bike hire, professional, qualified driver/guide and private vehicle transport/support.
Discover the new frontier on this exciting Alps to Ocean cycling adventure. Get a new perspective of New Zealand’s South Island – beautiful, scenic and without the crowds!
NOTE: The guide will follow guests in the vehicle and provide instructions and support throughout the entire trip. The guide will not cycle with guests and you can cycle your own speed. Your luggage will be transferred daily.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Cycling information Distance 35km | Difficulty Easy
Departing from Christchurch, begin your Alps to Ocean adventure with a leisurely cycle across the picturesque Canterbury Plains. Pass through small country towns – Geraldine and Fairlie – and take in sweeping views of rolling hills and charming colonial farms and houses. Cross Burke’s Pass and enter into the famous Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright blue jewel. Turquoise hydro-canal paths lead to Tekapo Village, where you can soak away any first day aches in Tekapo Springs outdoor hot pools or marvel at some of the darkest, most star-filled skies on earth.
Cycling information Distance 41km | Difficulty Easy
Set out along the hydro canal to reach a high terrace overlooking gorgeous Lake Pukaki and the surrounding mountains. Enjoy a smooth, downhill to the lake and follow the shore to the pick-up point for the scenic drive to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (at your own expense) to learn all about the first man – a New Zealander – to conquer Mount Everest. Or, check out the national park visitor centre (free of charge) before embarking on a short but memorable walk. Returning to Lake Pukaki, roll through expansive tussockland to Twizel, the friendly wee town that is the stopping point for the night.
Cycling information:- Twizel to Lake Ohau Distance 38km | Difficulty Easy - Option 1: Lake Ohau to Omarama via Tarnbrae Saddle Distance 41km | Elevation 900m | Difficulty Intermediate - Option 2: Quailburn to Omarama Distance 23km | Difficulty Easy
Enjoy more incredible views cycling along Lake Ruataniwha, then Lake Ohau. Confident riders can continue on the trail to Tarnbrae Saddle (900m), the pinnacle of the Alps to Ocean, where the magnificent Mackenzie Country stretches on as far as the eye can see. Alternatively, transfer to the historic woolshed at Quailburn for a much easier ride down to Omarama, the stopping point for the night. Known in the Maori language as ‘place of light’, Omarama is famous for its extraordinary clear skies, which are best appreciated from the local hot pools where you can soak in fresh, mountain water (at your own expense).
Cycling information Distance 47km | Difficulty Easy (optional 5km to Otematata Saddle)
Venture down into the Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes and dams. Follow the trail along the edge of Lake Benmore to Sailor’s Cutting where you have the option to tackle the ascent to Otematata Saddle or kick back in the van. Regrouped, enjoy a fun downhill to Aviemore Dam and later Kurow, with plenty of time left in the day to explore the town: the beautifully restored St Albans Church and wine-tasting at local vineyards.
Cycling information Distance 63km | Difficulty Easy
Follow the trail along the banks of the Waitaki River, a rare braided river that is only found in Alaska, Canada, the Himalayas and here in the South Island of New Zealand. Cruise past manicured vineyards and a Maori rock art site to the small town of Duntroon before heading inland to rolling country, where you can stop to explore the unique Elephant Rocks, huge formations strewn across a field. Picking up the old railway line, cycle through Raki’s tunnel before rolling downhill to the settlement of Enfield, where you will spend the night in a beautifully converted old schoolhouse.
Finish off strong with a picturesque ride through rural countryside to Oamaru. Along the way, pass the Oamaru stone quarry where stone has been extracted since the 19th century to create the area’s stunning stone buildings. Cruise through Oamaru’s delightful municipal gardens to the Victorian Precinct and harbor where the Alps to Ocean finish-line sign provides the perfect photo-op. If time allows, explore the local galleries and stores or visit the mind-boggling Steampunk HQ museum. After lunch, bundle into the van to complete your journey back to Christchurch.
NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
Daily departure on request. Peak season rates and minimum stay requirements apply over Christmas holidays and other public holiday and event dates. The displayed price is based on a group of 4 people per departure. For a private tour of 2 people, the price is $6,998pp, twin share.
If you have a group of 6 or more people, please contact us for quote and private group bookings.
The tour starts and ends in Christchurch, New Zealand. The main airport – Christchurch Airport (CHC) – receives domestic and international flights. Arrive in Christchurch the day before the tour departure, as your guide will collect you from central Christchurch on the first morning of the tour. At the end of the tour, your guide will return you to Central Christchurch. It is strongly recommended that you do not book domestic flights earlier than 7pm and do not book international flights until the following day.
New Zealand’s maritime climate makes November to April the most ideal months for travelling to the country.
The South Island’s temperature during summer ranges from 1030 ºC, with a pleasant 40 50% humidity. However, the country’s mountainous terrain and position in the path of the ‘Roaring 40s’ means its weather changes frequently, sometimes unexpectedly. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler, and snowfall is not uncommon, even in summer. Ergo, you should ensure you have a good waterproof jacket and warm clothing.
Day 1 Christchurch to Tekapo: Distance 35km | Difficutly Easy
Day 2 Tekapo to Twizel: Distance 41km | Difficulty Easy
Day 3 Twizel to Omarama: Distance 38km or 61km (900m elevation) depending on route | Difficulty Easy
Day 4 Omarama to Kurow: Distance 47km | Difficulty Easy
Day 5 Kurow to Enfield: Distance 63km | Difficulty Easy
Day 6 Enfield to Christchurch via Oamaru: Distance 25km | Difficulty Easy
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 35% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Deposits are non-refundable once paid- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.