Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Tour

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is the longest continuous ride in New Zealand and takes in some of the country's most incredible scenery.
From New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook, the trail descends over 2000ft and travels 300km to the coastal town of Oamaru. This trail showcases New Zealand's geological, geographical and historical highlights from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean.
Experience an unspoilt paradise in the South Island halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown where people come from all over the world to enjoy stunning vistas, wide open spaces and expansive landscapes.
Suitable for cyclists with dirt trail experience, the trail includes a mixture of off- and on-road trail, which can be enjoyed in sections or in its entirety.
We have chosen one of the most scenic sections of the trail for cruise ship passengers to experience.
This section is up to 13 miles (22 kms in length) but you can stop at any stage of the cycle after 6 miles and ride in the support vehicle.
We travel from the Port of Timaru through to Lake Tekapo, a turquoise glacial lake with a stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps at its head. A further 30 minutes from Tekapo we reach our cycle start point, a road that runs alongside the Tekapo Canal.
Our guides will fit you out with a mountain bike, helmet and safety vest, and brief you on the cycle ahead.
We start near the Mount Cook salmon farm where you may enjoy the chance to see salmon feeding. The cycle trail runs alongside the Tekapo hydro canal and follows it at a very gradual downhill until you get to a lovely downhill section which takes you to the edge of Lake Pukaki. The surface is sealed at first and then becomes a dirt shingle track around the lake edge. There are stunning views in this section of the Southern Alps, Lake Pukaki, and the Mackenzie Basin. Once at the Lake edge the trail becomes purpose made for cyclists and walkers, a fine dirt gravel surface, following the Lakes shoreline with spectacular views of Aoraki Mount Cook at the head of the lake.
The cycle finish is at the Lake Pukaki Information Centre, where you can enjoy a light lunch, coffee, cold drink before returning to the Port of Timaru.

Special Notes:

This tour is not suitable for guest with limited mobility. This tour is not suitable for beginner cyclists; dirt trail cycling experience is required and the trail includes a mixture of off- and on-road trail. The section covered is up to 13 miles (22 km) in length but you can stop cycling at any stage after the first 6 miles and ride in the support vehicle. The surface is sealed at first and then becomes a dirt shingle track around the lake edge, followed by a fine dirt gravel surface alongside the lake.