Southern Lakes Sensation

Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch
We will be at the Christchurch airport to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel (between 7am and 2pm). In the afternoon, we will take a 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. Later, we will fit your bikes, before enjoying an evening at one of the many excellent local restaurants.
Biking: None
Meals: NoneDay 2: Christchurch to 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.
Biking: 45km single trail & gravel road biking; Summit Road Tracks 500Am, Lake Coleridge 80Am
Meals: B/L/DDay 3: Lake Coleridge, Pinnacle Track
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.
Biking: 41km biking; 860Am
Meals: B/L/DDay 4: Lake Coleridge to 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.
Biking: 45km; 685Am
Meals: B/LDay 5: Omarama to 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 Bathan’s 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.
Biking: 45km; 1045Am
Meals: B/L/DDay 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.
Biking: 34km; 1140Am
Meals: B/L/DDay 7: Shortlands Station to Clyde
Phil, our local mountain bike 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 where we stay the night in an historic homestead.
Biking: 95km; 850Am
Meals: B/L

Day 8: Clyde to 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.
Biking: 35km; 994Am
Meals: B/L

Day 9: Queenstown – Departure
We have a last leisurely breakfast together and then you are free to leave the tour at any time today. We offer airport transfers between 7am and 3.30pm from the hotel.
Biking: None
Meals: B

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.