Hans & Ivo's Best of the South Island Cycle Trails

Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. On arrival at Christchurch airport, please make your own way to your group hotel. Taxi's, shuttles and public buses are readily available from outside the airport terminal. You will then be free to explore the city with its many museums and galleries, cafes and restaurants and rest up before your adventure begins tomorrow. Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel - www.pavilionshotel.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  Nil

Breakfast will be served in your hotel and then you will meet your guides in the hotel reception at 8am. We will set away with a scenic drive south crossing the Canterbury Plains towards Geraldine, then over Burke’s Pass to the famous Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright blue jewel. We will visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby statue standing as a tribute to the Mackenzie sheepdogs. After lunch we set away on the first of the Great Ride Cycle Trails we are to conquer this tour - the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. Initially we follow quiet roads alongside the turquoise blue waters of the canal system. We turn onto a gravel road and head to our accommodation at the remote high country Braemar Station. This is a trip highlight for many as we are rewarded with panoramic views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki made all the better with a celebratory glass of wine before being treated to a delicious home cooked dinner. Be sure to take a walk outside after dark to see the incredible starry skies. Cycle Distance: Tekapo to Lake Pukaki - 51km Accommodation: Braemar Station - www.braemar.co.nz - Shearers Quarters - share bathroom facilities Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

After a hearty breakfast, we leave Braemar Station and start our ride for the day. The trail winds around the edge of Lake Pukaki to a visitor's centre before crossing the extensive tussock-lands of the Pukaki flats to the small town of Twizel, where we stop for lunch. We continue riding alongside the Pukaki and Ohau canals, then around the foreshore of Lake Ohau with a beautiful mountain backdrop. On arrival at Lake Ohau Lodge there is time to unwind and soak in the onsite hot tubs while overlooking the lake. Dinner tonight is a treat in the Lake Ohau Lodge dining room where the views of the lake and alps will impress whilst you're enjoying a tasty three course meal. Cycle Distance: Braemar Station to Twizel - 42km Twizel to Lake Ohau - 38km Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge - www.ohau.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

After we've refueled with breakfast, those who would like a challenge can continue on the trail, which starts as a steady climb to the Tambrae Saddle. At 900m this is the highpoint of the whole Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail and your efforts are rewarded with stunning views across the Mackenzie Basin. The rough shingle Tarnbrae track is steep and narrow and is suited to the more confident and fitter riders. Alternatively for those who want a more relaxing morning there is the option to transfer by the support vehicle and enjoy a final, mostly downhill and flat ride on the trail from the historic wool shed at Quailburn into Omarama, our stop for the night. Omarama is called "Place of Light" in Maori terminology, a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky. This region is also famous for gliding due to some unique air wave systems and feisty thermals. This afternoon there is a visit to the unique geological formations called the Clay Cliffs or those with particularly weary legs may enjoy an optional soak in a private hot tub of fresh mountain water (own expense). This evening enjoy a meal at a typical small town Kiwi pub. Cycle Distance: Lake Ohau to Omarama via Tarnbrae Saddle - 44km Short Option: Quailburn to Omarama - 26km Accommodation: Group split between Sierra Motels - www.omarama.co.nz & Distinction Heritage Gateway - www.distinctionhotelsomarama.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s Alps to Ocean ride follows the Waitaki river down the picturesque Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes, dams, geological formations and growing reputation for cool climate wines. First, we follow the trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting where we join the lake shore to traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree covered islands. There is an easier option for less confident riders who would prefer to avoid this more technical section. After refreshments on top of the Dam, follow the trail on a quiet back country road alongside Lake Aviemore, watching out for wild wallabies as you ride. Crossing back over Aviemore Dam we ride to the small town of Kurow where the trail takes us along the banks of the Waitaki River, past vineyards and wetlands to reach the neighboring town of Duntroon and your accommodation. Cycle distance: Omarama to Duntroon - approx 97km Accommodation: Duntroon Hotel - www.duntroonhotel.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

From Duntroon we ride south-east along the footpath and over the Maerewhenua bridge, then follow the trail through several farms to the unique rock formations known as Elephant Rocks, part of the Waitaki UNESCO Geopark. Picking up the old railway line, we’ll ride through the old Raki's railway tunnel before rolling downhill amidst more spectacular limestone outcrops and pastoral landscapes to Oamaru, where the Alps to Ocean trail ends on the Pacific Coast. We'll take a group photo in the famous picture frame to mark the end of this cycle trail. There will be time for a short wander around the historic Victorian precinct before a 2 hour drive south to the city of Dunedin, where we will stay for the next 2 nights. Cycle Distance: Duntroon to Oamaru - approx 54 km Accommodation: Dunedin Palms Motel - www.dunedinpalms.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you're free to explore, starting with breakfast when and where you please! By the time the Scottish settlers arrived in Dunedin around the mid-19th century, they found an area rich in Maori history. The rough, tough and enterprising whalers added another element of diversity to this burgeoning Otago harbour. The cultural mix of Maori, whaler and Scot gave early Dunedin a character all of its own, and here you will find some of the finest examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Dunedin’s railway station, known as one of the world’s most beautiful train stations, is said to be the most photographed building in New Zealand. Optional activities include a self guided cycle on the Otago Peninsula, a wildlife boat cruise on the Harbour, a visit to the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross in the world and a visit to a craft brewery, so take your pick! Accommodation: Dunedin Palms Motel Status: Confirmed

Meals:  Nil

Today we embark on the second of our Great Rides - the Otago Central Rail Trail, a beautiful journey into the Central Otago heartland. After breakfast, we travel inland to the Central Otago region. As one of the historic gold mining locations of New Zealand, the region is full of Kiwi colonial history. We have chosen the best section of trail and commence riding from the art deco town of Ranfurly. Passing through tunnels and over bridges that once were the secret preserve of railway workers, we witness the natural beauty and look in awe at some early feats of the first settlers of this region. The ever changing landscape includes rugged mountains, crystal clear rivers, and steep winding gorges. We cycle through the 229m Poolburn tunnel over the impressive Manuherikia Bridge and Poolburn viaduct. Our support vehicle will meet us in Lauder, but there will be an option to ride further for those with energy. We then drive the short distance to our accommodation for two nights in the small town of Alexandra, perched overlooking the mighty Clutha River. Cycle Distance: Ranfurly to Lauder - 48km Optional Ride: Lauder to Alexandra - up to 39km Accommodation: Alexandra Heights Motel - www.alexandraheights.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we join Great Ride number three, the striking Roxburgh Gorge Trail. A trail in an otherworldly landscape of steep hillsides strewn with giant boulders leading down to a willow-lined river and lake. We board our transport and drive for approx 45mins to Pinders Pond on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, past interesting riverside landmarks and deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley. The amazing Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail and the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With amazing northerly vistas across the Lake Roxburgh the trail drops into the Gorge and then heads away from the water passing through a small secluded valley with regenerating Ka-nuka (tea tree) scrubland and into sweeping hill country farmland. At Elbow Creek, it’s a gradual descent to Shingle Creek, the halfway mark where we take a scenic jet boat ride for the next 10km to Doctor’s Point. The second half of the trail is equally remote and awe-inspiring with stone-walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. We continue tracing the gorge to finally emerge in Alexandra marking the end of our riding adventure before the drive back to Queenstown. Cycling distance: 37km/23 miles Cycling distance: Pinder's Pond to Alexandra - 37km Optional Ride: Alexandra to Clyde & River Trail back - 22km Accommodation: Alexandra Heights Motel - www.alexandraheights.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we ride the newest Great Ride, the Lake Dunstan Trail, a spectacular ride through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago. The trail journeys through the Cromwell Gorge along the Clutha and the Kawarau Rivers and then follows the shores of Lake Dunstan. The region’s rich modern, pioneering and Maori historical stories are integrated along the way, some of which are brought to life in Clyde and Cromwell Historical Precinct. Starting in Clyde you pass the Clyde Dam and enter the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you cycle around sheer rock faces rising above the Clutha and eventually meet the Kawarau River at Cornish Point. Passing vineyards and olive groves, the trail crosses the Bannockburn Bridge and ducks into the Cromwell Heritage Precinct where we’ll stop to explore and have lunch. Heading along the shores of Lake Dunstan the trail finishes part way up the lake where we'll load up and drive through the Kawerau Gorge and Gibbston Valley to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand (some say the world!) Cycle Distance: Clyde to Smiths Way - approx 58km Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge - www.bluepeaks.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we tackle the fifth of the Great Rides and the final trail of our South Island adventure. We set off riding from our hotel and quickly join the Frankton Trail, a well formed shingle track along the shore of Lake Wakatipu with stunning mountain and lake views. On reaching the old Kawerau Bridge at Frankton, we join the Twin Rivers Trail and then the Countryside Trail through to Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town, in time for lunch. We then continue onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges and is a delightful ride through to the historic Kawerau Bridge where we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! Here we have the choice to continue riding down the Gibbston Valley or to loop back via the Twin Rivers Trail and Frankton Trail back to Queenstown. Tonight we enjoy our final group dinner to celebrate our cycling achievements and the end of our New Zealand Journey. Cycle Distance: Queenstown to Kawarau Bridge - approx 40km Optional Cycle: Kawarau Bridge back to Queenstown - approx 30km Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge - www.bluepeaks.co.nz Status: Confirmed

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you are free to relax and sleep in until check out time at 10am. Please make your own way to the airport.

Meals:  Nil