"If you have any desire to do this trail – DO IT! They are an incredibly well-oiled machine, and they will make your trip go so smoothly you'll forget how to order food for yourself by the time it's over."

Jackie joined our Alps 2 Ocean Classic guided group trip in February 2026 — and she came back with nothing but glowing things to say. Starting at the impossibly blue shores of Lake Tekapo and finishing on the charming Oamaru coastline, she covered the full length of New Zealand's longest Great Ride over six days, five nights.

Travelling with a group of 14 (mostly Americans, plus a couple from Ireland), Jackie described how quickly the group became firm friends — one of those rare trips where the people are just as memorable as the scenery. Her dad was along for the ride too, which made crossing the finish line together especially sweet.

Each day brought something different: glacial turquoise lakes framed by Aoraki Mt Cook, the dramatic remote singletrack of Sailor's Cutting along Lake Benmore, fresh salmon sashimi at the Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre, and wood-fired hot tubs in Omarama. The final night was spent at the elegant Burnside Homestead — a step back in time, complete with a conservatory and a wolfhound nearly the size of a horse.

Trip Highlights

• Aoraki Mt Cook views from seldom-visited spots along Lake Pukaki
• Freshly farmed salmon sashimi on the trail 
• Sailor's Cutting: remote, breathtaking singletrack along Lake Benmore
• A soak in Omarama's famous wood-fired hot tubs after a long day in the saddle
• A winery stop in Kurow 
• An unforgettable final night at the historic Burnside Homestead