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 scenic three-and-a-half-hour private shuttle 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 ensure a perfect fit to 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 well-maintained gravel trail, far from busier main roads, offers countless photo opportunities and your guides are always nearby to share insights into the region's unique landscapes and cultural heritage. Later, a picturesque drive leads to Mount Cook Village, with stops to admire the alpine panoramas. Settle into the iconic Hermitage Hotel, offering unmatched views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. This evening, after a round of introductions and a toast to the amazing trip ahead, enjoy a delicious three-course dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Overview

Begin your day with a breakfast of freshly baked pastries and locally roasted coffee as you take in views of 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 your 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, enjoy a fresh picnic with vistas of the peaks surrounding Hooker Lake. 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 over 70 that define this region's rugged beauty. Return to The Hermitage for a buffet dinner highlighting South Island specialties and celebrated regional wines, as the alpenglow bathes the Southern Alps in soft evening light.

Overview

As morning breaks, breakfast at Mount Cook Village fuels anticipation for an extraordinary day of riding and alpine adventure. Cycle to Mount Cook Airport, where you’ll board a helicopter for an amazing flight across the Tasman River, bikes in tow. Take in sweeping aerial views of this majestic landscape before continuing your Alps to Ocean adventure. After landing, follow the trail along the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, with panoramic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook reflected in glacial waters. Pause for a gourmet picnic lunch at Mount Cook Station, a high-country sheep farm offering an authentic glimpse into pastoral life. Enjoy a private 4X4 tour of the station before resuming your ride along the lake’s edge, finishing at a stunning viewpoint. The day concludes with a short shuttle to Twizel, where you’ll savor a dinner inspired by local flavors, celebrating the day’s adventure. Please note: If there is inclement weather, the helicopter flight will be replaced with a van shuttle to the ride start.

Overview

Start your day in Central Otago, home to some of the world’s southernmost vineyards, where your bike awaits on the Alps to Ocean Trail. Choose a serene lakeside ride or explore the full route to Benmore Dam, traversing smooth paths and gravel tracks shaped by ancient glaciers. This dramatic wine region, renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir, boasts over 80 wineries across five sub-regions. 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. In the afternoon, ride to the historic gold rush town of Clyde, now the gateway to Central Otago’s celebrated wine country. Toast your day’s achievements at Olivers Restaurant, a beautifully restored 1869 merchant's building, with a glass of local Pinot Noir—a wine shaped by the region’s unique combination of warm summers, cool nights, and mineral-rich soils.

Overview

A stunning boat ride 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 ride to Cornish Point or tackle the full route to Clyde, marveling at floating bridges and cantilevered pathways that hug golden bluffs above reflective waters. Your experienced guides will be nearby, offering tips to navigate the terrain, ensuring your confidence grows with each mile. The trail’s mix of smooth paths and technical challenges promises a cycling experience unlike any other. After your ride, descend 60 feet 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 purpose-built Roxburgh Gorge Trail, a gravel biking adventure like no other. Dramatic schist cliffs tower above while the turquoise Clutha River dances below, offering a spectacular backdrop to your ride. Mid-morning, trade your bike for an exhilarating jetboat ride that slices through the gorge’s most remote and untamed section. Enjoy a guide-prepared picnic at Shingle Peak Jetty, surrounded by pristine wilderness, before continuing your ride to Roxburgh along a gentle gravel gradient, with full van support always nearby. End your day in the lakeside paradise of Wanaka at the Edgewater Hotel. This evening, we’ll celebrate today’s adventures with a wine tasting and dinner at the renowned Maude Wines and Bistro Gentil.

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 renowned 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. Prefer another 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. Contact one of our Trip Consultants to help plan your day.) End your evening savoring Wanaka’s vibrant culinary scene, with dining suggestions prepared by your guides.

Overview

Begin your day 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. From here, your biking adventure continues along the pristine Wanaka Trail, following well-maintained gravel paths where turquoise waters sparkle beneath snow-capped peaks. Along with your guides, enjoy a morning ride to Hook Wanaka. Relish a gourmet platter lunch showcasing the region’s finest flavors before setting out on the spectacular Hawea Trail. Gentle climbs lead to expansive views of Lake Hawea’s crystal waters, completing your rewarding 25-mile day with a sense of accomplishment. In the evening, we'll dine at the celebrated Kika restaurant, a fitting finish to an unforgettable day.

Overview

Wake up to your final full day of adventures as you ride the legendary Kawarau Gorge Trail. Crystalline waters tumble past schist cliffs towering 100 meters high, that once echoed with the dreams of gold miners. After breakfast, you'll shuttle through Central Otago’s striking landscapes to historic Gibbston Valley, where your gravel ride begins. Designed specifically to connect gold-rush settlements, the trail’s smooth, packed gravel is perfect for exploring by bike. You'll pedal past preserved mining relics, sluicing sites, and century-old stone cottages, while the turquoise Kawarau River churns 50 meters below. Winding through native kanuka forests, the trail emerges in Bannockburn, a sun-soaked settlement shaped by gold dredges. Conclude your day with a transfer to Queenstown and 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 a delightful breakfast, opt for one last scenic ride along the Queenstown Trail to the iconic Kawarau Bridge, or enjoy a leisurely morning soaking in the town’s vibrant alpine charm. You will depart at 11:30 AM from the hotel before a comfortable 30-minute shuttle takes you to the airport for 12:00 PM. Whether you extend your stay or depart, you’ll carry the unforgettable spirit of the South Island with you, ready for whatever adventures lie ahead.