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Around the Mountains & Doubtful Sound Overnight

We will meet our guides in central Queenstown at 8:00am for a tour briefing and a bike fitting. Our warm up ride takes us along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, following the Queenstown Trail to the historic Kawarau Falls Bridge, where Lake Wakatipu flows into the Kawarau River. We continue past impressive lakeside mansions and numerous jetties and beaches until reaching the Sculpture Trail at Kelvin Heights. Be sure to watch out for the Wakatipu Kuikui, a figure with wild hair blowing in the wind and magnificent views out over the lake. We then transfer the short distance to the historic railway town of Kingston where we start the Around The Mountains Cycle Trail. Weaving our way through the pretty rural Mataura valley, surrounded by the Hector and Eyre mountains towards Garston and Athol, we cross a number of suspension bridges called the Golden Gate bridges. Our ride ends at Five Rivers where there is a cafe and gallery for us to visit before we drive to Mossburn, known as the deer capital of New Zealand. We will stay at our accommodation here for the next 2 nights. We meet in the evening again for our first group dinner. Cycling Distance: Queenstown Trail to Kelvin Heights - 16km Kingston to Five Rivers - 48km

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast we return to Five Rivers to continue riding the trail to Lumsden. We pass through rich farm lands by the banks of the Oreti River, and carry on along a mix of old railway line and well-graded track, threaded between the highway and farmland back to Mossburn. A lunch stop at Bracken-Hall allows us to sample the region's famous venison pies and 'Southland sushi'. This afternoon we continue to follow the Oreti River on purpose built trail, with views towards the imposing Fiordland mountains. At Centre Hill the trail meets a busy gravel road and here we have the option to load up the bikes and return to Mossburn or for those wanting a longer ride, we can return the same way back along the trail. We meet again in the early evening for our well earned dinner. Cycling Distance: Five Rivers to Mossburn - 35km Mossburn to Centre Hill - 23km

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will drive to Te Anau and have time to enjoy the township, where the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is a 'must visit'. Here are some of Fiordland’s special birds that are difficult to see in the wild, including the Takahe, Kaka, blue duck, Parakeets and many more. Then its another short drive to Manapouri, where we are dwarfed by the mountains looming all around us and there is no question that we are on the edge of the wonderfully remote Fiordland National Park. At midday we join a spectacular Doubtful Sound experience beginning with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri, a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove to meet our expedition style small ship. We cruise out into the Doubtful Sound, formed by glaciers, with huge cascading waterfalls and vertical cliff faces. As we sail we are surrounded by magnificent views with a nature guide sharing their knowledge of the region, and wildlife which might include dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. There also might be the chance to kayak from the boat. At the end of the day we relax into an evening of entertainment, fine food and comfortable sleep in our private cabins. In the heart of the wilderness of the Fiordland National Park we are constantly surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains, the sunset is superb and we feel quite insignificant amongst this grandeur.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a delicious on-board breakfast and the the ship located in a stunning bay the captain and crew request your attention to enjoy a period of complete silence. The "sounds of silence" is a powerful way to highlight the immensity of Doubtful Sound and an opportunity to enjoy the morning bird call. We then have more time cruising through the fiord. We then return to Deep Cove and travel back to Manapouri over Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri, arriving at midday. This afternoon, we enjoy a delightful ride on the new Lake to Lake trail connecting Lake Te Anau to Lake Manapouri, following the glistening Waiau River. In the heart of Fiordland with lake, mountain and riverside views as well as native bush, wetlands and farmland scenery. On arriving into Te Anau in the late afternoon there will be time to relax or wander along the shores of Lake Te Anau. There is an option to join an excursion to see the glowworm caves by boat. Your guides can help with suggestions and make any bookings. In the early evening we head to Fiordland Cinema to see "Ata Whenua" (Shadowland) a beautiful short movie showcasing Fiordland landscapes from the air before our final evening meal together. Cycling Distance: Lake to Lake Trail - 28km

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we leave Te Anau and after a short drive we cycle from the hidden Mavora Lakes, a site of scenes from Lord of the Rings. We ride by the lakes and through the beech forest before continuing on to the colourful Von Valley. There is a real sense of isolation and the huge mountain and tussock landscape is vast. We farewell our supporting coach as we cycle downhill to the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Mount Nicholas station. Here we are greeted with stunning views of alpine peaks and snow covered Mount Earnslaw at the head of the lake. We then follow the lakeside trail to Walter Peak Station where we have a celebratory drink before boarding the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamer and crossing Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown which brings our journey to an end. Cycling Distance: Mavora Valley to Walter Peak Station - 55km

Meals:  B,L