Mountain Bike Safari

This 9-day Off Road Tour is full of adventure, challenge and excitement for
the experienced mountain biker. You will bike amid the breathtaking
scenery of New Zealand's South Island with its incredible diversity of
landscapes.

Our route takes you along quiet roads, past beautiful lakes and across
private farmland. You will travel over high alpine passes surrounded by
dense bush and high, rugged peaks, down through masterful river valleys
and across wide, rolling pastoral plains. Taste New Zealand's delicious
cuisine, washed down with our fine wine and finish your tour in the
outdoor adventure capital of the world!

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 biking, 3.5h riding time, 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, Meals: B/L/D

Day 4. Lake Coleridge - Omarama
The day starts with an upstream jet boat ride on the Rakaia River. This jet boat 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, 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, Meals: B/L/D

Day 6. Shortland Station / Danseys Pass
The Station owned by our hosts David & Glenys, is huge and a mountain 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, 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 stay on the Rail Trail for the 25km cycle to Alexandra followed by another 10km alongside the mighty Clutha River to Clyde
85km biking, Meals: B/L

Day 8. Alexandra - Queenstown
This morning we start with a steep ascent to the Bannockburn Range. 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, 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.

Grade C
Up to 6 hrs of physical activity per day.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 600m on harder days.
Reasonable standard of fitness required.

Parts of the off-road routes are difficult, requiring care and sometimes pushing. To ensure your safety, an experienced guide wil accompany you, and the support vehicle will be there for the parts that can be driven. All off-road cycling is weather dependent. In the event of bad weather, alternative routes will be used.

Throughout every tour our knowledgeable guide is always at your side.

Essential Items

tee shirts and shorts

swimming gear

bicycle pants recommended

long sleeved lightweight top or shirt

thermal top and pants (polypropylene or equivalent)

lightweight woollen jumper/sweat top/fleece jacket

waterproof jacket

socks and underwear

sunhat and sunglasses

suitable cycle footwear eg. running shoes

sandals/jandals/thongs

light trekking boots recommended

personal toilet gear, towel, suncream, lip balm

insect repellent

small daypack

camera and film (optional)

casual evening clothes

if you bring your own bike don't forget spare parts

cycle helmet

All tours are accompanied by mini bus with a special trailer or 4WD Landcruiser, so not only can you rest when you want to, but we also carry your luggage for you, and take care of catering and accommodation.

The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners (excluding drinks), as well as snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to keep the pedals turning. The remaining dinners are taken at local restaurants.

The tour includes 8 nights accommodation. Four nights in 3-4 star hotels/motels and 4 nights in Farmstays sometimes with shared facilities.

Bike hire from $300

Price Includes:

Airport transfer on Day 1 and Day 9

8 nights accommodation

4 nights in 3-4star hotels/motels

4 nights in Farmstays sometimes with shared facilities

Meals = 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinner (excluding drinks)

Local fees for use of private land

All transfers in a minibus or 4WD support vehicle with a bike trailer

Jetboat trip on Rakaia River

Tourguide

Local MTB guide for farmtracks

Payment: We will secure your tour booking on receipt of a 25% deposit. Tour balance to be paid no less than 42 days prior to tour departure. By paying the deposit you are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.

Transferring: We will allow you to transfer the amount paid to another departure if done so more than 60 days prior to tour commencing. An administration cost of $50NZ will apply.

Changing tours within 60 days prior to departure will be considered a cancellation of the tour. The booking and cancellation policy above will then apply. There will be no refunds once a tour has commenced.

Cancellations: Cancellations will require notification to be done in writing by the person taking the tour.
Greater than 90 days prior to departure 50% of deposit
Between 90 and 60 days prior to departure 100% of deposit
Between 60 and 30 days prior to departure 50% of full tour cost
Less than 30 days prior to departure 100% of full tour cost

Travel Insurance: We suggest clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance.

Notes: Itineraries may be modified in situations such as adverse weather or to better suit client needs.

This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.