Alps to Ocean Biking Adventure

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~~$4484~~

$4282

Alps to Ocean Biking Adventure

6 Days Starting in Christchurch, New Zealand and ending in Christchurch

Visiting: Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Tasman River, Alps To Ocean Cycle Trail, Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Lake Ohau Lodge, Quailburn Road, Otematata, Benmore Hydro Station, Kurow, Duntroon, Oamaru

Tour operator:

Active Adventures

Tour code:

AlpsOcean

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

5 - 10

Physical rating:

High, 4: Challenging

Age range:

16-80

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$4484

$4282 Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$202

NB: Prices correct on 17-May-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Join us on our all-inclusive New Zealand E-Bike Adventure tour, with every detail sorted. 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!

Highlights

The world-famous Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail – New Zealand's longest continuous cycle trail.
Enjoy helicopter flight over the Tasman River.
Trail to the Benmore Hydro Dam, the largest dam within the Waitaki power scheme.
Explore the Takiroa Maori rock art site and view the rock art.
Learn the Victorian history of Oamaru.

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive, Drive To Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Bike Fitting

Location: Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Aoraki Mt Cook Lodgings, Mt Cook Village

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner,

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 8km (5 miles) ride to White Horse Campground. If there's time today we'll take a popular walk along Hooker Valley, around 2-3 hours return. 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!Hiking:9 kilometers (5.6 miles), 2-3 hours (time permitting)Biking:4 kilometers (2.5 miles)

Day 2 : Helicopter Flight, Ride Braemar Road To Twizel

Location: Tasman River, Alps To Ocean Cycle Trail, Lake Tekapo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Mackenzie Country Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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 a water break (around 13 kilometers / 8 miles into today's ride). This is your 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. Today is our biggest day in the saddle, but the mixture of ups and downs, plus views unlike anywhere you've ridden before, make it a day you won't want to end, even when your bum gets sore! 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! Biking:73.5kilometers (45.6 miles)

Day 3 : Bike From Twizel To Quailburn Road, Via Lake Ohau Lodge

Location: Twizel, Lake Ohau Lodge, Quailburn Road, Lake Ohau Lodge

Accommodation: Lodge

Accommodation Name: Lake Ohau Lodge, Ohau

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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.Biking:58.5 kilometers (36.3 miles)

Day 4 : Bike Quailburn Road To Otematata

Location: Quailburn Road, Otematata

Accommodation: Homestay

Accommodation Name: Otematata Lakeside Apartments, Otematata

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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 for another 35 kilometers (21 miles), and arrive in Otematata. We'll retrace our steps from Otematata on the bus back to Omarama where we'll spend the night.Biking:58 kilometers (36 miles)

Day 5 : Bike Otematata To Duntroon Via Benmore Hydro Dam And Kurow

Location: Otematata, Benmore Hydro Station, Kurow, Duntroon

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Brydone Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch,

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, where we'll eat dinner together.Biking:72 kilometers (44.7 miles)

Day 6 : Bike The Final Leg Of The Alps 2 Ocean Trail, Duntroon To Oamaru, Depart

Location: Duntroon, Oamaru, Christchurch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,

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, and enjoying a beer to celebrate our efforts, we'll hit the road back to Christchurch and say our goodbyes.Biking:48 kilometers (29.8 miles)

What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation are included.
Fully Guided

An experienced guide/drive on this tour.
Transport

All transportation from start to end of trip
An experienced guide/chef
Our ‘Red Carpet’ pre-trip customer care service available to answer question
Travel Wallet: a resource for everything you need to know about your trip in one secure space!
Most meals (except where indicated, so you can experience local cuisine independently!) Occasional alcoholic beverages to match the moment
Some meals specially prepared by our highly rated guides
Unlimited snacks
Specially curated tour ‘Wow’ moments throughout your trip
All activities described in the itinerary
All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities

What's Not Included

Additional Services
Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.
International Travel

International/Domestic Flights to and from the meeting point not inlcuded.
Optional

Optional extra activities not included.
15% NZ Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Alcoholic beverages
Gear on packing list (optional to rent some equipment)
Gratuities for your guides at the end of your fabulous trip

Trip Notes

Click here to read the trip notes

Check out our Q&As

What is the maximum group size?

The max group size is 10 peoples.
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes, Local English speaking guide on this tour.
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

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.
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

As detailed in itinerary.
Are flights included in this tour?

International/Domestic Flights to and from the meeting point are not included.

What is the tipping policy?

Gratuities for your guides at the end of your fabulous trip are not included.
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

You are covered by our Active Adventures Assurance policy.
How long has the tour company been trading?

Since 1996
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

Our trips attract a wide range of people from all different backgrounds, countries and ages, which makes our small group adventures all the more interesting and fun. All our people tend to enjoy active lifestyles, great food, good company and new experiences. If this sounds like you, then you’ll be in good company
What documents will I receive before I travel?

We send online booking information via our club page you’ll gain access to your trip notes, destination information, a detailed gear list and all the information you need for your trip. There are a few things to fill in – medical and dietary information, extra accommodation requests, gear hire requests etc. – to ensure you are well prepared for your adventure vacation.
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

Travellers Against Plastic
Can I join the tour once it has departed?

No
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

Yes,
What policies are in place for Covid-19?

When it comes to the safety of our guests, it has always been our number one priority. We’ve introduced strict protocols to adhere to current Covid safety guidelines that are relative to the destination, country and location of your adventure – these are dependent on the current rules and restrictions that are in place at the time of your trip.
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Health and safety are just as important as the amazing places in the most stunning parts of the world we travel. Another focus of ours is having a good place to rest and rejuvenate at the end of a busy day, and to make sure we are fully charged for the next day’s activities, so you’ll always find yourself in a clean, comfortable room.
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

No

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Louise

Alps to Ocean bike ride

10-Mar-2023

I loved the Alps to Ocean bike ride. The scenery is exceptional and beautiful. However, our 2 guides showed a wealth of knowledge and experience, and this translated into a number of great decisions, which ensured our group could capitalize on the best possible biking experience. The accommodation and food are excellent. Best moments? Too many the mention. Highly recommended.

Kate

Amazing trip

16-Apr-2022

We loved our Active Adventures trip. The guides were amazing, super organised and great company.

Kristen

This is my 4th trip with Active

22-Mar-2023

This is my 4th trip with Active. All my trips have been exceptional and I still talk about them to my friends. All the guides have been great and always happy to assist if needed. I love that we do some activity every day. Some have been challenging even for a fit 67 yr old but facing the challenge and accomplishing the bike ride or hike is the best feeling. I can't wait to plan my next trip

Mario

Alps to Ocean Ride

13-Apr-2023

This iconic ride had a bit of everything over the six day journey. Changing weather conditions, tough hills, sometimes rugged trails, creek crossings and technical cycling areas were challenging but upon completion a definite accomplishment. This gradually created a bond between the cyclists which was encouraged by the supportive guides. Van support was always timely and hot tea/coffee and snacks greatly appreciated. Memorable ride in beautiful setting.

1 Dates & Availability

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Saturday - Thursday

Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 17, 2024

~~$4484~~ $4282