New Zealand South Island Bike Tour

Overview

Welcome to New Zealand’s South Island! Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at 8:00 AM at the Novotel, Christchurch Cathedral Square. Begin your adventure with a three-and-a-half-hour private shuttle that takes you through magnificent landscapes, arriving at Lake Tekapo, renowned for its vivid turquoise waters and dramatic Southern Alps backdrop. Enjoy a lakefront picnic featuring regional specialties before your guides give you a personalized fit on your Trek bike and provide tips tailored to cycling in New Zealand. Ride along the Alps to Ocean Trail, tracing Lake Tekapo’s edge and revealing the striking expanse of Lake Pukaki, fed by Mount Cook’s glacial waters. This gravel trail, far from busier main roads, offers countless photo opportunities and your guides are there to share insights into the region's unique landscapes and cultural heritage. After the ride, a 45-minute shuttle leads to Mount Cook Village. Settle in at the Hermitage Hotel, your base for the Aoraki/Mount Cook region. Rooms are simply furnished and vary across the property, but few hotels place you this deep inside a UNESCO World Heritage Area. The evening opens with introductions over drinks followed by a three-course dinner at the hotel restaurant, with South Island specialties setting the tone for the week ahead.

Overview

Begin your day with a breakfast of freshly baked pastries and locally roasted coffee as you take in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 270 square miles of the Southern Alps. A short drive through this incredible park leads to the Hooker Valley Track, where a hike takes you into one of New Zealand's most iconic alpine landscapes, home to 19 peaks soaring over 9,800 feet. Cross three suspension bridges spanning glacial rivers, each with unique, dramatic views, while your guide shares stories of the Māori connection to the land and the daring exploits of pioneering mountaineers. At White Horse Shelter, a fresh picnic with vistas of the peaks surrounding Hooker Lake awaits. In the afternoon, embark on an exciting Tasman Glacier boat ride, as our captain navigates a labyrinth of freshly calved icebergs beneath New Zealand's longest glacier—one of more than 70 that define this region's rugged beauty. Return to The Hermitage for dinner as the alpenglow bathes the Southern Alps in soft evening light.

Overview

Breakfast at Mount Cook Village sets up one of the most distinctive days on the itinerary. Cycle to Mount Cook Airport and board a helicopter for a short transfer across the Tasman River, bikes in tow. The flight offers a glimpse of this awe-inspiring landscape as it takes you to a remote stretch of the Alps to Ocean Trail. After landing, the route sets off across a stretch of rugged gravel before transitioning to a smoother trail along the glacially fed waters of Lake Pukaki. We'll pause for a picnic lunch at a viewpoint overlooking this pristine lake, where you can take in the views of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook, and its neighboring peaks. The day concludes with a short shuttle to your next accommodation, where you’ll savor a dinner inspired by local flavors, celebrating the day’s adventure. Please note: If there is inclement weather, the helicopter transfer will be replaced with a van shuttle to the ride start.

Overview

Start your day on the Alps to Ocean Trail this morning and finish your day in Central Otago, home to some of the world’s southernmost vineyards. The morning ride is shaped by ancient glaciers and is the most technical of the trip, with singletrack, tight corners, and exposure. You may choose the more serene lakeside ride or explore the full route to Benmore Dam. After navigating the gravel trails around Lake Benmore, pause for a picnic at New Zealand’s largest earth dam, where shimmering waters reflect snow-capped peaks. Afterwards you'll shuttle two hours to the historic gold rush town of Clyde, now the gateway to Central Otago’s wine country, celebrated for its exceptional Pinot Noir. Get settled at the hotel, your home for the next two nights, and then toast today’s achievements at Olivers Restaurant, set in a beautifully restored 1869 merchant's building.

Overview

A stunning boat transfer across Lake Dunstan sets the tone for the day as your bike is transferred to Cromwell for an unforgettable ride on the Lake Dunstan Trail. Completed in 2021, this gravel masterpiece showcases modern trail design as it winds through Central Otago's premier wine country. Choose a relaxed shorter ride to Cornish Point or take on the full route to Clyde, climbing and descending steeper switchbacks before the trail gives way to floating bridges and cantilevered pathways hugging the golden bluffs above the water. Your experienced guides will be nearby, offering tips to navigate the terrain, ensuring your confidence grows with each mile. The trail’s mix of well made paths and technical challenges promises a cycling experience unlike any other. After your ride, descend into Monte Christo’s atmospheric candlelit cellar, pairing local delicacies with exceptional wines, before enjoying an evening at your leisure in Clyde.

Overview

Discover the raw beauty of Central Otago’s gold-mining heritage as your guides lead you on the scenic Roxburgh Gorge Trail, a gravel biking adventure like no other. Dramatic schist cliffs tower above while the Clutha River dances below, offering a spectacular backdrop to your ride. Mid-morning, trade your bike for an exhilarating jetboat transfer that slices through sheer cliffs and the gorge’s most remote, untamed section. Continuing from Shingle Peak Jetty through pristine wilderness, you'll relish the challenge of a steady climb and descent before rolling into Roxburgh. Here, you'll be treated to a picnic lunch to celebrate the completion of your ride. After lunch, a shuttle of just under two hours delivers you to Wanaka and the Edgewater Hotel on the shores of beautiful Lake Wanaka. This evening, we’ll celebrate today’s adventures with dinner at Bistro Gentil, the acclaimed French restaurant at the Maude Wines property.

Overview

Today, unwind in Wanaka, a serene alpine haven where still waters mirror rugged mountain peaks. After a hearty breakfast at Edgewater Hotel, the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Discover why Central Otago is lauded as one of the world's finest wine regions by following the lakeside trail to the legendary Rippon Vineyard. Here, four generations of winemaking expertise have produced exceptional biodynamic Pinot Noir and aromatic whites. If you prefer a different kind of adventure, glide across Lake Wanaka on an eco-cruise to spot rare native birds, or experience the thrill of a jetboat ride up the Matukituki River, where glacial waters carve through dramatic valleys. (Please note: Some optional activities require advance reservations and are not included in the trip price. You can review options and book via the hotel Edgewater's "Experience Wanaka" webpage). End your evening savoring Wanaka’s vibrant culinary scene, with dining suggestions prepared by your guides.

Overview

Begin your day riding the pristine Wanaka Trails, following well-maintained gravel paths where cerulean waters sparkle beneath snow-capped peaks. Along with your guides, take a relaxed morning ride to a lunch cafe and savor local food showcasing the region’s finest flavors. From here, continue your adventure on the spectacular Hawea Trail, where gentle climbs open to expansive views of Lake Hawea’s crystal-clear waters, a rewarding 25-mile day on the bike. This evening, you’ll be welcomed with a meaningful cultural experience as local Māori welcome you with a powerful traditional ceremony on the tranquil shores of Lake Wanaka. Witness the mesmerizing haka—an ancient dance combining fierce expressions, chants, and rhythmic movements once used to prepare warriors for battle. Tonight, we'll dine at the celebrated Kika restaurant, a fitting finish to an unforgettable day.

Overview

Wake up to your final full day of riding as you take on the Queenstown Trails. Sun-drenched vineyards stretch across ancient river terraces, framed by mountains that have watched over this valley since long before the gold miners arrived. After breakfast, you’ll shuttle 90 minutes through Central Otago’s striking landscapes to historic Gibbston, where your gravel ride begins. Tracing the Kawarau River through the heart of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine country, the trail is perfectly suited for exploring by bike. You’ll ride past rows of Pinot Noir vines, cross heritage bridges before rolling into the valley below. Winding into charming Arrowtown, you’ll pause for a relaxed lunch at Provisions before continuing along the sparkling shores of Lake Wakatipu. Conclude your day in Queenstown at tonight’s hotel. There, you’ll share stories and savor a celebratory dinner with newfound friends, with the Remarkables mountains providing a majestic backdrop to a memorable finale in New Zealand.

Overview

With hearts full of cherished memories, savor your final morning in Queenstown. After breakfast, opt for an early ride along the Queenstown Trail, or enjoy a leisurely morning soaking in the town’s vibrant alpine charm. You will depart at 11:45 AM from the hotel for a short 15-minute shuttle that takes you to the airport for 12:00 PM.