Southern Off Road Adventure
15 day South Island Mountain Bike Tour

Introduction
Our 15-Day Off Road Tour is full of adventure, challenge and excitement for the average to 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. See the rugged West Coast, the rainforest and the mighty glaciers. Cycle the spectacular Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sound and finish with a unique Whale Watch Tour. Taste New Zealand's delicious cuisine washed down with our fine wine. 



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
Meals: none

Whatever the time of year, Christchurch is the perfect choice for a well-deserved short break, longer stay or even for just a few hours.
Christchurch's unique combination of fascinating heritage, beautiful coastline, peaceful rivers and spectacular natural harbour appeals to all ages and provides all the ingredients to make your visit extra special.

Christchurch Tourism - the Southern Alps provides a fantastic backdrop to the city. Perched on the coast, the city is the doorway to the Canterbury Plains, which spread westwards towards the mountains. To the south-east, Banks Peninsula, formed by two huge volcanic craters, extends into the Pacific Ocean. Nature has been kind to this part of New Zealand and it is nature that offers the richest rewards for the visitor.

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 single trail & gravel road biking, 3.5h riding time
Summit Road Tracks 500Am, Lake Coleridge 80Am
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, 860Am,  Meals: B/L/D

  


Day 4. 	Lake Coleridge - Omarama
The day starts with an upstream jetboat ride on the Rakaia River, which is an adventure in itself. Then we bike along the expansive riverbed of the Rakaia River and around the Mount Hutt Range where the view 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 the 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, 685Am
Meals: B/L


  


Day 5.	Omarama - Shortlands 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 Bathans 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, 1045Am
Meals: B/L/D

    

Day 6.	Shortlands 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, 1140Am
Meals: B/L/D


  


Day 7.	Shortlands Station - Clyde
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 to Alexandra followed by another 10km alongside the mighty Clutha River to Clyde.

95km biking, 850Am
Meals: B/L


   

Day 8.	Clyde - 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.

35km biking, 994Am
Meals: B/L

  

Day 9.	Queenstown - Rest Day 
Queenstown, the outdoor adventurer's capital of the world!  
Take the Gondola ride to the Skyline restaurant, viewpoint and luge ride. Don't miss the lake cruise aboard the historic steamship 'Earnslaw', jet boating on the Shotover river, Bungy jumping, white water rafting, paragliding, or a visit to the Kiwi and Birdlife Park to see New Zealand's national icon in the flesh. Or take a day trip to Fiordland's, Milford or Doubtful Sound. 

Meals: B

Welcome to the original home of the Bungy
The Kawarau Bridge is a 43 metre Bungy Jump above the Kawarau River, situated 20 minutes from the heart of Queenstown.

Originally built to link Queenstown to Central Otago during the gold rush of the 1880's, later replaced by the larger and more modern Battling Betty Bridge in the 1960's. The bridge fell into a state of disrepair and was deemed unsafe until Henry van Asch and AJ Hackett applied for a one month license to use the bridge commercially for Bungy Jumping in 1988. 


As they say; the rest is history and a piece of New Zealand heritage has been saved. A fee is paid to the Department of Conservation for every jump by AJ Hackett Bungy to maintain the site. In 2002 the company is investing in a new development for the Kawarau Bridge reserve, this will include a Cinematic Bungy Experience, interactive displays, quality cafe and shopping facilities.

Day 10.	Queenstown -  Fox Glacier
Of all the rides, none more than today's ride typifies New Zealand as a land of contrast. After traversing Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, the road enters the Makarora Valley and the Mt Aspiring National Park. Notice how the vegetation slowly becomes more lush and dense as we travel towards the west, indicative of an increasing annual rainfall. We start cycling from Makarora to the Haast Pass (563m), from where we bike 60km along the Haast river. Haast township is situated in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's largest. The park is part of an area, "Te Wahipounamu", which the United Nations awarded "World Heritage Park" status in recognition of its international importance as a largely unmodified ecosystem. 
On reaching Haast we load up the bikes and drive the final 115km through the enchanting rainforest of South Westland and the 'Pakihi Swamp' area to Fox Glacier Township 

84km road biking, 5.5hrs riding time, 745Am
Meals: B/L

Day 11.	Fox Glacier  -  Punakaiki	
This morning there is time for a walk to the Glacier face which is just above sea-level, or there maybe time for an optional Helicopter flight over the Glaciers, before we continue our northbound journey in the vehicle. We notice the change of landscape from dense Rainforest  to the 'real' West Coast with its driftwood-littered beaches. After 165km we arrive in Hokitika and for those are interested, there is time to visit a Greenstone factory before we drive to our picnic lunch spot at Lake Kaniere. This afternoon we have a 1.5 - 2 hour single trail ride along the 'Water Race' before driving to Punakaiki with its famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. 

15km biking
Meals: B/L

    

Day 12.	Punakaiki -  St. Arnaud
Early morning walk along the Truman track before our journey takes us through the beautiful Buller Gorge. Late morning we ride through old West Coast gold and coal mines. We have lunch in Murchison and cycle via the Braeburn Pass to Lake Rotoroa. It is a mixture of road and gravel, with some great climbs. The small village of St. Arnaud lies in the Nelson Lakes National Park, one of the best in New Zealand, where we will stay overnight. 

62km biking, 675 Am, 3.5hrs riding time
Meals: B/L

Day 13.	St. Arnaud - Portage (Queen Charlotte Track)
A long and exciting day awaits us. In the early hours our bus takes us to Picton, where we board a small Ferry. A boat trip of about an hour will take us through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to Resolution Bay (or Ship Cove), where we start our single trail ride along the amazing coast. We bike through dense forest where we will be escorted by numerous singing birds. After lunch at Punga Cove (not included), a challenging afternoon lies ahead, during which we will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Marlborough Sounds. 

51km single trail riding
Meals: B

    

Day 14.	Portage - Kaikoura
The last section of the Queen Charlotte Track is as equally attractive as the rest. You bike from lush green coastal forest over mountain ridges, where you again have magnificent views. From Anakiwa we ride along the winding coastal road to Picton, where our bus is waiting to take us to Kaikoura. This fishing village is well known for it's Whale Watch Tours and that is a worthy final highlight.

20km single trail, 20km road
Meals: B/L 


Day 15.	Kaikoura - Christchurch - Departure
The morning is at your own leisure, or as a final highlight you can join a "Whale Watch" tour (included). 

Welcome...
In the South Island of New Zealand lies Kaikoura, an area steeped in Maori history and legend. Off the coast of the village is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. Among them the giant Sperm Whale which can grow up to 20 metres in length and has the largest brain of any animal alive. Let us take you on the most breathtaking adventure of a lifetime. Let us take you right into the world of the whales to meet them face to face... 

Images: (c) Whale Watch Kaikoura
 

Not only can we introduce you to the magnificent Sperm Whale, but also to migratory Humpback Whales (June & July), Orca (summer months), New Zealand's own tiny Hectors dolphin, the high spirited displays of the Dusky dolphins, New Zealand Fur seals and the Royal Albatross.
Introducing 'Whale Watch Photography' and the new 'Whale Watch Cafe'   

Late morning we load our bikes onto the trailer for the last time and head back to Christchurch (arriving mid afternoon) for your departure. If you have enough time then a visit to the Antarctica Centre, which is just five-minute walk from the airport is well worth a visit.

Meals: B/L


Please note that your trip may differ from the above itinerary either to better suit the needs of the group, or due to circumstances beyond our control such as the weather.





Tour Includes:
* Airport transfers 
	Day 1 only:   Christchurch (between 7am & 2pm from the Airport)
	Day 15 only: Christchurch (enroute from Kaikoura - mid afternoon)
	Transfers outside these days/times are your own arrangements 
* 14 nights accommodation 
10 nights in 3-4star hotels/motels 
4 nights in Farmstays (sometimes with shared facilities)
* Meals = 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 4 dinners (excluding drinks)
* Support vehicle (minibus or 4WD) with a bike trailer (& luggage space)
* Tourguide (who is also the driver) & local MTB guide for Farm tracks
* Boat transfer to Queen Charlotte Track
* Whale Watch Tour (Kaikoura)
* Jetboat trip on Rakaia River
* Local fees for use of private land

Tour Excludes:
* International flights & airport taxes
* Airport transfers outside the days/times specified above 
* Travel Insurance
* Meals where not specified on the itinerary
* Drinks (except water while riding), phone calls & Minibar expenses
* Personal expenses (including any specific medical related requirements)
* Bike repairs and maintenance (except if hiring a bike)

Tour Grading: 		
1= Easy, 2=Moderate, 3=Medium, 4=Challenging, 5=Extreme

The tour is suitable for clients with average to good levels of fitness & with some mountain biking experience.
Riding is predominantly on shingle roads and 4 Wheel drive farm tracks with opportunities for single track riding on some days. (Queen Charlotte Track is predominantly single trail & after rain can become more technical).
The terrain does not generally require a high level of technical ability but there are plenty of challenges for the more experienced mountain biker.
For the lesser experienced riders, easier options can usually be offered.

Optional Bike Hire is available:
For more information on our optional bike hire including hardtail and full suspension mountain bikes, please request our Bike Hire information sheet or follow this link:
http://www.bike-nz.com/bikes/

For the latest departure dates and pricing visit our website:
http://www.bike-nz.com/






pacific CYCLE tours		US TEL:    800 732 0921
Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Road		NZ TEL: +64 3 9829 913
Christchurch, 8002		NZ FAX: +64 3 9829 911
New Zealand		reservations@bike-nz.com
		www.bike-nz.com




pacific CYCLE tours		US TEL:    800 732 0921
Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Road		NZ TEL: +64 3 9829 913
Christchurch, 8002		NZ FAX: +64 3 9829 911
New Zealand		reservations@bike-nz.com
		www.bike-nz.com