Great West Coast Cycle - (9 days) Guided
Prices From: NZD$2995
Bike Rental: NZD$210
E-Bike Rental: NZD$720
Single Supplement: NZD$795
2019: Nov 18th / Dec 14th
2020: Jan 13th / Feb 17th / Mar 16th / Apr 15th
Known as New Zealand's most famous and scenic multi-day cycle ride this spectacular trip from Christchurch to Queenstown is also regarded as one of the world's top five cycle touring routes.
Averaging daily rides of up to 100kms, and many high alpine pass crossings including the spectacular Haast Pass, the cycling will take you past an ever changing landscape; from glacier country through to quiet sealed roads fringed with mighty podocarp rainforest and past dramatic coastlines before finally crossing over the Crown Range into the beautiful Southern Lakes district around Wanaka and Queenstown.
Out of the saddle the highlights are equally spectacular. Your adventure begins with a memorable journey on the Tranz Alpine Express train to Greymouth via the spectacular Waimakariri Gorge and lush forests of Arthur's Pass National Park and there is a free day built in for you to enjoy the many optional activities at the Franz Josef Glacier such as relaxing in the hot pools, enjoying guided walks or taking an optional scenic flight.
This comprehensive itinerary truly is a cyclists ideal adventure.
Bike Rental: NZD$210
E-Bike Rental: NZD$720
Single Supplement: NZD$795
2019: Nov 18th / Dec 14th
2020: Jan 13th / Feb 17th / Mar 16th / Apr 15th
Known as New Zealand's most famous and scenic multi-day cycle ride this spectacular trip from Christchurch to Queenstown is also regarded as one of the world's top five cycle touring routes.
Averaging daily rides of up to 100kms, and many high alpine pass crossings including the spectacular Haast Pass, the cycling will take you past an ever changing landscape; from glacier country through to quiet sealed roads fringed with mighty podocarp rainforest and past dramatic coastlines before finally crossing over the Crown Range into the beautiful Southern Lakes district around Wanaka and Queenstown.
Out of the saddle the highlights are equally spectacular. Your adventure begins with a memorable journey on the Tranz Alpine Express train to Greymouth via the spectacular Waimakariri Gorge and lush forests of Arthur's Pass National Park and there is a free day built in for you to enjoy the many optional activities at the Franz Josef Glacier such as relaxing in the hot pools, enjoying guided walks or taking an optional scenic flight.
This comprehensive itinerary truly is a cyclists ideal adventure.
Day 1: Christchurch - Greymouth - Hokitika:
We pick you up from your Christchurch hotel early this morning and bring you back to the depot for a bike fitting. Following that, we drop you and your bikes at the train station for your TranzAlpine Express departure at 8.15am.
We arrive in Greymouth at around 12.45pm and from here we cycle southwards through the rural countryside before we finally reach the craft center of Hokitika, home of the local jade known as Pounamu, or Greenstone.
Ride 40kms/25 miles.
Meals: L,D
We pick you up from your Christchurch hotel early this morning and bring you back to the depot for a bike fitting. Following that, we drop you and your bikes at the train station for your TranzAlpine Express departure at 8.15am.
We arrive in Greymouth at around 12.45pm and from here we cycle southwards through the rural countryside before we finally reach the craft center of Hokitika, home of the local jade known as Pounamu, or Greenstone.
Ride 40kms/25 miles.
Meals: L,D
Day 2: Hokitika to Franz Josef:
Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp rainforests. Along the way we break for coffee at Ross, one of the early gold-mining townships and then onwards through Hari Hari and Whataroa until finally we reach Franz Josef Glacier township for the next two nights.
Ride - 135 kms/84 miles
Suggested Shorter Option – Ross to Whataroa – 81kms/50 miles
Meals: B
Further south, the glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the mighty podocarp rainforests. Along the way we break for coffee at Ross, one of the early gold-mining townships and then onwards through Hari Hari and Whataroa until finally we reach Franz Josef Glacier township for the next two nights.
Ride - 135 kms/84 miles
Suggested Shorter Option – Ross to Whataroa – 81kms/50 miles
Meals: B
Day 3: Franz Josef:
Time for a day off the saddle and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. With hot pools, ice climbing and lots of short walks – there are plenty of options. You could also relax and catch up with your diary or read a book. Flight-seeing is very popular here either in fixed wing planes around the mountains (up to 40 mins) or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village (1.5 - 2hrs). There is also an option to enjoy some sea-kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Okarito Lagoon & bird sanctuary. Additional costs for optional activities apply.
Meals: B
Time for a day off the saddle and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy this. With hot pools, ice climbing and lots of short walks – there are plenty of options. You could also relax and catch up with your diary or read a book. Flight-seeing is very popular here either in fixed wing planes around the mountains (up to 40 mins) or a helicopter flight to land on the snowfields high above the village (1.5 - 2hrs). There is also an option to enjoy some sea-kayaking into the rainforest at the nearby Okarito Lagoon & bird sanctuary. Additional costs for optional activities apply.
Meals: B
Day 4: Franz Josef to Fox Glacier:
This morning's start is flexible depending on the weather and what people would like to do. There are a number of options – if the previous day's weather hasn't been friendly and you were wanting to take to the skies to see the glacier or enjoy some sea-kayaking you can do your activity this morning.
In the afternoon we ride through to Fox Glacier (optional). The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 kms but that ride crosses threestrenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one of the village cafes or bars. In the evening we take a short walk around nearby Lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains.
Ride - 25kms/16 miles
Meals: B,L
This morning's start is flexible depending on the weather and what people would like to do. There are a number of options – if the previous day's weather hasn't been friendly and you were wanting to take to the skies to see the glacier or enjoy some sea-kayaking you can do your activity this morning.
In the afternoon we ride through to Fox Glacier (optional). The distance to Fox Glacier is only a matter of 25 kms but that ride crosses threestrenuous passes, each followed by an exciting and exhilarating downhill. The ride is worth the effort with the last downhill into Fox leading straight into one of the village cafes or bars. In the evening we take a short walk around nearby Lake Matheson with its famous sunset reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains.
Ride - 25kms/16 miles
Meals: B,L
Day 5: Fox Glacier to Haast:
After a couple of ‘relaxing’ days we head off again on some lovely flat roads. We reach the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again, skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then out to the Knights Point coastline. Eventually we roll into Haast township and a final night on the west coast.
Ride - 120kms/75 miles
Shorter Option – Fox to Lake Moeraki – 89 kms/55 miles
Meals: B,L,D
After a couple of ‘relaxing’ days we head off again on some lovely flat roads. We reach the coast at Bruce Bay before turning inland again, skirting the beautiful Lake Moeraki and then out to the Knights Point coastline. Eventually we roll into Haast township and a final night on the west coast.
Ride - 120kms/75 miles
Shorter Option – Fox to Lake Moeraki – 89 kms/55 miles
Meals: B,L,D
Day 6: Haast to Makarora:
Haast Pass presents another cycling highlight. For some 50 kms the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough River joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road and the lush rainforest changes to beechforest higher up the valley. A final serious climb takes us to the summit of the pass at 678m. From here there is a 20km ride down into the beautiful township of Makarora and a well-deserved conclusion to the day's ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement there is a thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park.
Ride - 82 kms/51 miles
Meals: B,L,D
Haast Pass presents another cycling highlight. For some 50 kms the road slowly rises as the mighty Landsborough River joins the nearby Clark Valley. Countless waterfalls cascade from the mountains towering above the road and the lush rainforest changes to beechforest higher up the valley. A final serious climb takes us to the summit of the pass at 678m. From here there is a 20km ride down into the beautiful township of Makarora and a well-deserved conclusion to the day's ride. If the descent does not provide enough excitement there is a thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park.
Ride - 82 kms/51 miles
Meals: B,L,D
Day 7: Makarora to Wanaka:
There are dramatic changes in the landscape today as we enter the dry arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today we cycle alongside spectacular lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the shore of Lake Wanaka before taking us into the bustling resort township of the same name. The afternoon is free to enjoy some shopping or just to relax alongside the lake.
Ride - 68kms/42 miles
Meals: B
There are dramatic changes in the landscape today as we enter the dry arid country on the eastern side of the ranges. Today we cycle alongside spectacular lakes as the road rolls down into the headwaters of the Otago valleys and then climbs along the shore of Lake Wanaka before taking us into the bustling resort township of the same name. The afternoon is free to enjoy some shopping or just to relax alongside the lake.
Ride - 68kms/42 miles
Meals: B
Day 8: Wanaka to Queenstown:
This morning we cycle out of town for 25km to the historic township of Cardrona, with a chance to stop for a coffee in the old pub with its beautiful gardens. From here the last serious climb of our tour takes us to our highest point, 1070m, at the top of the Crown Range for some spectacular views. A wicked drop down into Arrowtown follows before we break for lunch.
We have time to enjoy this historic gold mining town before our final ride into Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. The town is situated alongside a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. Relaxation and shopping here are fantastic.
Ride - 78kms/48 miles
Meals: B,L,D
Day 9: Queenstown:
Our tour ends today after breakfast. We are happy to help with extra accommodation bookings (additional cost applies) if you would like to spend more time in Queenstown after your tour. The Queenstown area offers more stunning scenery and bike trails to explore if you want to continue your holiday a bit longer.
Meals: B
Trip Grading:
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Great West Coast Cycle is graded moderate. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 60 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.
Trip Highlights:
Our tour ends today after breakfast. We are happy to help with extra accommodation bookings (additional cost applies) if you would like to spend more time in Queenstown after your tour. The Queenstown area offers more stunning scenery and bike trails to explore if you want to continue your holiday a bit longer.
Meals: B
Trip Grading:
To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Great West Coast Cycle is graded moderate. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 60 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.
Trip Highlights:
- Embark on this 9 day road cycling adventure taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown
- Wonder at Lake Matheson, famous for its sunset reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook
- Enjoy a breathtaking TranzAlpine train ride across the Southern Alps
- Challenge yourself on the hill climb up Haast Pass
- Ride up to 100km a day with full vehicle support
- Discover Wanaka and the gold mining history of quaint Arrowtown
- Experience a scenic flight, heli-hike or walk on the ice at Franz Josef Glacier (optional)