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Cycle New Zealand: Alps 2 Ocean
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: PHXA
Overview
Destination:
New Zealand,
Duration:6 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
January 2027 - March 2028
Take on New Zealand's Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail over six unforgettable days. This active adventure strikes just the right balance between rewarding climbs and easier days where you can really take in all the scenery from the saddle – with stops at Lake Pukaki, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Lake Ohau and Lake Benmore, this trip is full of unforgettable vistas. Cycle up to a 900-m-high lookout for dramatic views of Ben Ohau, explore Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park on foot and opt to cycle to the remarkable Omarama Clay Cliffs. The path is set – are you ready to join the adventure of a lifetime?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. It is vital that you provide us with your height at least 30 days prior to your trip starting so we can ensure the correct sized bike for you. If we do not have your height we cannot guarantee a bike that fits you perfectly. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price
2. This trip starts at 8am and finishes on arrival back to Christchurch on Day 6 (approx 6pm)
3. To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
4. Bicycle helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own helmet.
5. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group.
6. This trip does not have a support vehicle but your luggage is transported for you from accommodation to accommodation each day.
7. Luggage is limited to 1 bag per client, no heavier than 15kgs. Fees apply if baggage limit is exceeded and extra weight will need to be in a separate bag. If staying in Christchurch before and after your trip, you may want to ask your accommodation provider to store your extra belongings as they may allow this free of charge.
8. Our riding is done mostly on roads and well-graded and maintained gravel cycle paths, so there are no technical cycling skills required.
9. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are on an 'on request' basis only - it is important to advise us of your height at the time of request.. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.
10. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip starts at 8am and finishes on arrival back to Christchurch on Day 6 (approx 6pm)
3. To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
4. Bicycle helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own helmet.
5. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group.
6. This trip does not have a support vehicle but your luggage is transported for you from accommodation to accommodation each day.
7. Luggage is limited to 1 bag per client, no heavier than 15kgs. Fees apply if baggage limit is exceeded and extra weight will need to be in a separate bag. If staying in Christchurch before and after your trip, you may want to ask your accommodation provider to store your extra belongings as they may allow this free of charge.
8. Our riding is done mostly on roads and well-graded and maintained gravel cycle paths, so there are no technical cycling skills required.
9. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are on an 'on request' basis only - it is important to advise us of your height at the time of request.. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.
10. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Highlights:
- 1. It is vital that you provide us with your height at least 30 days prior to your trip starting so we can ensure the correct sized bike for you. If we do not have your height we cannot guarantee a bike that fits you perfectly. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price 2. This trip starts at 8am and finishes on arrival back to Christchurch on Day 6 (approx 6pm) 3. To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle. 4. Bicycle helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own helmet. 5. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group. 6. This trip does not have a support vehicle but your luggage is transported for you from accommodation to accommodation each day. 7. Luggage is limited to 1 bag per client, no heavier than 15kgs. Fees apply if baggage limit is exceeded and extra weight will need to be in a separate bag. If staying in Christchurch before and after your trip, you may want to ask your accommodation provider to store your extra belongings as they may allow this free of charge. 8. Our riding is done mostly on roads and well-graded and maintained gravel cycle paths, so there are no technical cycling skills required. 9. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are on an 'on request' basis only - it is important to advise us of your height at the time of request.. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking. 10. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 5 breakfasts.
- Transport: Bicycle (e-bike available, subject to availability), support vehicle.
- Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse (3 nights), Lodge (1 night), Guesthouse with shared facilities (1 night).
- Shuttle from Christchurch to Tekapo.
- Guided cycling from Tekapo to Twizel.
- Guided cycling from Twizel to Lake Ohau.
- Morning drive to Mount Cook for a quick walk.
- Guided cycling Lake Ohau to Omarama.
- Guided cycling from Omarama to Kurow.
- Takiroa Maori rock art site visit.
- Elephant Rocks visit & walk.
- Oamaru Botanical Gardens visit.
- Guided cycling from Duntroon to Oamaru.
- Return shuttle transfer from Oamaru to CHC.
Itinerary
Expand all 
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Collapse allDay 1: Christchurch
Kia ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch. You’ll be picked up at 8 am and transferred to Lake Tekapo, where your cycling journey officially kicks off. Today’s easy, scenic ride along the Tekapo Canal to Lake Pukaki is a great chance to get to know the terrain and get a sense of what’s in store over the next six days. Along the trail, you’ll stop by the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Farm, then continue to the Tekapo B Power Station. Sitting 130 m above Lake Pukaki, this spot has excellent views over the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie Basin. Continue riding down to the lakeshore before crossing the Twizel Flats. This alpine tussock plain leads you to the town of Twizel, where you’ll settle in for the night after an exciting first day on the bike. Don’t forget to look up tonight – Twizel is located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so the views of the night sky here are spectacular.
Day 2: Lake Ohau
This morning, drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. This is one of the four national parks that make up the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to New Zealand’s tallest mountains and largest glaciers. Mt Cook itself towers at 3724 m (12,217 ft), and a total of 19 of the park’s peaks exceed 3000 m. Go on a short walk to take in the raw natural beauty, then return to Twizel and hop back on the saddle. Follow a sealed road to the Ohau Canal, taking in views of the mighty Ben Ohau on the way to Lake Ohau. Cycle around the lake, soaking up the tranquil surrounds as you ride past the clear, still waters. After, check into your lakeside lodge for the night and get some rest – your adventure ramps up tomorrow with a ride that's set to be a bit more challenging.
Day 3: Omarama
Gear up for a thrilling day as you take on the first real climb of the trip. Say farewell to Lake Ohau and make the easy ride to Freehold Creek, giving you a new viewpoint back across to Ben Ohau, then begin your climb up through native beech forest to the highest point of the trail. Once you've surmounted the 900-m-high lookout, you’ll be rewarded with views over the Mackenzie Basin, Ben Ohau, Lake Ohau and Lake Ruataniwha. Then, descend to the remains of the historic woolshed at Quailburn Road, where you’ll stop for a packed lunch. It’s a gentle ride from here, taking you along a quiet backroad and a side trail that leads to the small town of Omarama. You’ll have the option to cycle to the Omarama Clay Cliffs – it’s an extra 14 km, but the sight of these towering cliffs separated by narrow ravines is well worth it.
Day 4: Kurow
Today will be your longest day on the bike, but the ride won’t be overly strenuous or technical – so you can focus on soaking up the scenery. Leave Omarama and cycle through lake country, riding east down the Waitaki Valley, past the Chain Hills Viewpoint, then follow the edge of Lake Benmore – New Zealand’s largest artificial lake – to Pumpkin Point. Along the way, you’ll follow a route through the Benmore Gorge to reach the top of Benmore Dam for dramatic views of the lake below. After lunch, continue your ride, leaving the town of Otematata and following the southern shore of Lake Aviemore. Cycle right up to the dam wall, then continue along the final stretch, past the Wharekuri ruins – the stone buildings of an abandoned 19th-century village – to the town of Kurow, where you’ll stay for the night. Located on the banks of the Waitaki River, this is the perfect spot to put your feet up and maybe have a drink at one of the local wineries.
Day 5: Duntroon
Leave Kurow this morning and cycle down through the valley along the Waitaki River. Pass rolling vineyards and stop in at River-T Estate Wines, before continuing to the Takiroa Maori rock art site – an important landmark for the Ngai Tahu Whanui people. Ride on to the Duntroon Wetlands before arriving at Duntroon, where you might like to have some lunch at the Duntroon Hotel. After lunch, hop back on your bike to make a detour from the official trail, veering into Otago to visit the Elephant Rocks site. This was used as a filming location for the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. After, cycle back to the Duntroon Hotel – your accommodation for the night. If you arrive back with enough time, why not head to a local winery and end the day with a glass or two.
Day 6: Oamaru
Rise and shine for your final day on the bike, bound for the South Pacific Coast. Have an early breakfast, then leave Duntroon and get back on the trail, passing through the historic Rakis Railway Tunnel and following the old railway line to Windsor, then all the way through to Enfield. Stop for an early lunch, then ride the final stretch to the seaside town of Oamaru via the Botanical Gardens and the Oamaru Heritage Precinct. Finish up at Oamaru Harbour. Oamaru is known for its remarkable collection of Victorian buildings built from Oamaru whitestone and is full of nods to the Victorian period, with a local bookbinding shop, a cobbler, various boutiques and even the occasional penny farthing bike roaming the streets – the town even hosts an annual Victorian fete which includes the New Zealand National Penny Farthing Championships. When you arrive, a private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Christchurch where your trip comes to an end.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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per person twin share
5 nights
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