Cycling the Alps to Ocean Trail in New Zealand

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced cycling guide or guides with extensive local knowledge of the area
  • Accommodation in motels, lodges, a cottage and a rural camp based on double occupancy (6 nights)
  • 6 days of cycling along the Alps to Ocean cycle trail
  • 6 Breakfasts, 6 picnic or cafe lunches, 6 two-course restaurant dinners catered to all dietary requirements
  • Nutritious snacks, drinks, treats, and morning and afternoon teas
  • Heli-flight across the Tasman River with bikes to the official start point
  • Transport from Queenstown to Christchurch
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Pre-departure information kit
  • Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
  • Rider fees paid to the A2O Trail Trust for ongoing maintenance and improvements

Mountain bike/e-bike and helmet rentals are available for an added fee of $125 and $360, respectively.

What’s not included:

• • Airfare and visa costs (if applicable)
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Bike rentals — available for an extra fee
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, apart from breakfast and afternoon tea
  • Optional activities during the adventure (like Omarama hot tubs and Steampunk Gallery)
  • Any personal expenses
  • Travel and medical/rescue insurance
  • Guide gratuities — optional

To fully enjoy this guided Alps to Ocean cycling trip in New Zealand’s South Island, a reasonable level of fitness is essential. The journey is graded as moderate, with an average daily distance of approximately 37 miles (60 km), and the longest day spanning up to 50 miles (80 km).

The terrain varies along the route, with most sections on sealed or hard-packed gravel (75% of the trails), making for relatively easy riding. However, other segments consist of looser gravel, which can be rough and uneven in places. Additionally, you’ll encounter moderate sections over the Tarnbrae Saddle and from Sailors Cutting to the Benmore Dam, featuring narrower tracks with switchbacks and occasional exposure.

It’s important to note that this cycling trip is not intended to be a marathon event. You should ride at your own pace, and there’s no pressure to keep up with others. Your guides will assess your skill level, observe your technique and always provide advice and encouragement, while keeping everybody safe. The journey is fully supported, allowing less confident riders to opt for easier alternatives if desired. Additionally, the support vehicle will always be nearby, ready to assist with transportation if needed.

In preparation for this adventure, we recommend dedicating 90 minutes to cycling three to five times a week for at least three months leading up to your trip. This practice will help you build the endurance and stamina required for the journey. There are ample hills to conquer, so it’s advisable to practice cycling uphill and on rougher terrain before your tour to ensure you fully appreciate the fantastic riding and diverse scenery.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• • Bike and helmet — available for rent
  • Daypack large enough for all the items you might need on the move — comes with bike and helmet rental
  • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
  • Sneakers or sport shoes
  • Breathable outside layer or jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Fleece
  • Quality thermal wear
  • Casual clothes and sneakers for when you’re not cycling
  • Swimsuit
  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder
  • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, cosmetic products, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

The ideal months for travel, from November to April, bring temperatures ranging from 50°F to 86°F (10°C to 30°C) during the South Island summers, along with a comfortable humidity level of 40-50%. However, keep in mind that higher altitudes can be significantly cooler, and snowfall is possible even in summer.

Additionally, there are occasional hot, dry, and fierce winds during the summer months. While you won’t need a full winter wardrobe, packing a good waterproof jacket and some warm clothing (including a fleece or jumper and quality thermals) will ensure you’re prepared for any unexpected changes in temperature and weather conditions during your tour.

You can rent a bike and helmet during the booking process and two different styles of bikes are offered for rental—a hybrid mountain bike or an e-bike. If hiring a bike, please leave a note with your height and weight so that you get the bike in size that best suits you.

The Avanti Discovery hybrid mountain bike is perfect if you prefer a relaxed, upright riding style. Custom-built specifically for New Zealand trails, it combines the best characteristics of the mountain bike and the hybrid bike. It comes with faster rolling tyres, upgraded suspension forks, easy shifting 1x gear system, quality disk brakes, and handy bike rack. These bikes are also available in a low-rise frame, also known as a step-through frame (leave a note when booking if you prefer a low-rise frame).

For those who might appreciate a little pedaling assistance, Sinch e-bikes can be hired. These electric bikes are easy to operate, incredibly comfortable, and gentler on the body than traditional bikes. You’ll still get a workout, but the e-bikes provide up to 62 miles (100 km) of pedal assistance before needing a recharge.

Plus, safety is the priority, so rest assured that bike helmets will be provided with your rental, along with a handy 15L saddle bag. As an added bonus, all your equipment and luggage will be conveniently carried by the support vehicle, ensuring you have a smooth and enjoyable cycling experience.

Throughout this journey, accommodations offer you comfort and excellent value in prime locations. Your lodging includes quality 3* and 4* motels, pool-equipped lodges in scenic natural environments (by Lake Ohau for example), cottages, and a rural glamping site with luxurious tents and sprawling views.

All accommodations provide all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, while private facilities are based on twin share or double rooms. If you prefer a room to yourself, a single supplement is available for an additional fee, with a limited allocation of 2 per departure. Please keep in mind that occasional seasonal shortages may require the usage of alternative lodging of a similar high standard.

Group sizes and prices:

• • The maximum group size for this group tour is 14 participants.
  • If 8 or more people join the tour, 2 guides will accompany the group.
  • The minimum number of participants that need to join for this group to operate is 4.
  • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Alps to Ocean Trail cycling in New Zealand can be arranged for bigger and private groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Children as young as 10 are able to go on trips with a legal guardian. That said, if you have a young rider strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain, then they may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.

If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Queenstown, most people fly into Queenstown Airport. You will meet your guide and fellow cyclists at a central location in the city at 8.00 am on Day 1.

We recommend arriving a day prior to the cycling adventure as our journey kicks off right after this initial gathering. Arriving a day in advance provides you with the opportunity to relax and ensures a seamless and stress-free start to your experience.

Please keep in mind that the adventure finishes in Christchurch in the late afternoon on the last day. We advise against booking an international flight immediately after the tour, as there’s a considerable risk of missing your flight should your group’s arrival in the city be delayed. We highly recommend arranging accommodation in Christchurch following the adventure.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in the South Island please refer to the U.S. Department of State’s travel information on New Zealand.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!