Great West Coast Cycle

We will meet in central Christchurch at Cathedral Junction at 7:15am. Your guide will drive you to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Train departure at 8.15am. We enjoy a scenic train journey across the Southern Alps and arrive at Moana on Lake Brunner around Midday. We will eat our lunch on the train and then we can get on the bikes immediately to follow an undulating and winding course through the picturesque Arnold Valley to Stillwater. A flat ride beside the banks of the Grey River takes us out to the coastal township of Greymouth. One of the trip's many highlights is the coastal riding that follows as we head north to the small settlement of Punakaiki. The riding is pure quality, with enough hills to keep you honest and plenty of distractions with stunning rock formations, lush rainforest and the wild coastline. Once in Punakaiki, we'll have time for a short walk to the famous Pancake Rocks, a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools, before settling into our accommodation and enjoying our first group dinner together. Cycling Distance: 75km /47miles, +651m/2135ft

Meals:  D

This morning we start with a transfer South, stopping for a short visit to Hokitika, one of the early gold-mining towns and known for the crafting of Pounamu (greenstone), a spiritual treasure for the Maori and found only in the South Island. Continuing South, glacier country beckons and the road soon changes from rural countryside to one fringed with the towering podocarp rainforests. Starting our ride late morning at the Waitaha River, we cycle through native forests with stunning mountain views, crossing several of the mighty West Coast rivers as they come to the end of their journey from the Southern Alps. Passing through the remote settlements of Harihari, the landing stage of the first solo crossing of the Tasman Sea in 1931, and Whataroa, the only NZ breeding ground of the majestic Kotuku/White Heron, we finally reach Franz Josef Glacier township, our home for the next 2 nights. Cycling Distance: 90km/56miles, +944m/3096ft Suggested Shorter Option: Harihari to Franz Josef– 63km/39miles,+694m/2276ft

Meals:  B,D

Time for a day off the saddle and Franz Josef Glacier is a great place to enjoy a multitude of activities; your guide(s) will need to have 24 hours off driving so won't be available for transport or guiding today but can help with arranging any activities. 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 – 2 hours). 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

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 three strenuous 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. Cycling Distance: 25km/16miles, +643m/2109ft

Meals:  B,L

After a couple more ‘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 reach the longest one-lane bridge in New Zealand, the Haast River Bridge, spanning 737 meters (2,418 feet) across the Haast River and taking us across to the Haast township and our final night on the west coast. Cycling Distance: 120km/75miles, 1024m/3358ft Shorter Option: Fox to Lake Paringa – 72km/45miles, +431m/1413ft

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 an optional thrilling jet-boat ride nearby taking you deep into the Mount Aspiring National Park or a delightful short nature walk at the back of the rustic accommodation. Cycling Distance: 80 km/51miles, 1247m/4090ft

Meals:  B,L,D

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 glacial 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. This evening we enjoy our final group dinner together to celebrate our week's cycling achievements. Cycling Distance: 66km/41miles, +901m/2955ft

Meals:  B,L,D

Our ride this morning is a classic ride that follows the lakefront from Wanaka, heading West to the idyllic Glendhu Bay. This is a favourite amongst Wanaka locals who never tire of the spectacular views of the lake and mountains that accompany the route. We'll return the same way, head across to the historic Luggate Red Bridge and finish at the family-owned Maori Point Vineyard, named for the Maori prospectors who panned for gold here in the 1860s. After a platter lunch and tasting, it's a 90 minute transfer into Queenstown, along the lakeshore of Lake Dunstan and through the stunning Kawerau Gorge, with the opportunity to check out the original bungy jump site on the historic Kawerau Bridge. Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown is situated alongside beautiful Lake Whakitipu, surrounded by mountains. Relaxation and shopping here are fantastic. Cycling Distance: upto 59km/37miles, +514m/1685ft

Meals:  B,L