Tereza's Best of the South Island - bike & hike

You will be met off your flight at Christchurch airport and then delivered to your central city hotel. You will then be free to explore the city with its many museums and galleries, cafes and restaurants and rest up before your adventure begins tomorrow. Depending on your time of arrival, if there is time we can try out the bikes on a short ride around the city centre. Accommodation: The George Hotel - www.thegeorge.com

Meals:  Nil

We will meet in the hotel reception at 7:30am. Your guide will drive you to the Christchurch train station in time for the TranzAlpine Express departure at 8.15am. We enjoy one of the world's most scenic train journeys across the Southern Alps to arrive at Greymouth on the West Coast around 1pm. We will eat our lunch on the train (this can be bought from the onboard cafe) and then we can get on the bikes shortly after getting off the train. A short transfer takes us to the coastal settlement of Rapahoe and we set off on our first stunning ride along the wild coastline with interesting rock formations and lush rainforest. On arriving at Punakaiki, nestled on the edge of the Paparoa National Park we will have a leisurely stroll around Dolomite Point, famous for its curious Pancake Rocks and thundering blow holes. Our accommodation tonight is located on the beach and there are incredible ocean views from the restaurant where we will have our dinner. After dark we can visit a nearby cavern to check out the glowworms and be awed by the magical array of glowworm galaxies! Cycling Distance: Rapahoe to Punakaiki - 33km Hiking: Pancake Rocks walk - 30mins Accommodation: Scenic Resort Punakaiki - www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/Punakaiki/scenic-hotel-punakaiki

Meals:  B,D

We'll start this morning with the Truman Track; a short, easy, but stunning, walk through beautiful sub-tropical rainforest to a secret beach! From there we’ll head to Kumara (a drive of approx 1 hour) where we will set off cycling the West Coast Wilderness Trail, following water races, logging tramways and remnants of the 1883 gold rush era. The ride takes us past the Kapitea Reservoir for fine views of the surrounding mountains and ancient podocarp forest. We wind our way along smooth bush tracks to our high point and after crossing a swing bridge we descend to Cowboys Paradise, a replica wild west town. We enjoy a sweeping descent to Milltown, home of saw-milling in earlier times before the final climb up and over to beautiful Lake Kaniere. Here we have the option to load up the bikes or to continue riding along the historic Kaniere Water Race to reach Hokitika. We will be greeted by our welcoming hosts at our accommodation and then we'll join a sunset cruise. Here we will experience the serene beauty of the Mahinapua waterways with the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. A delicious evening meal will later be served by our hosts. Cycling Distance: Kumara to Lake Kaniere (50km) or Kumara to Hokitika (70km) Accommodation: Lake Mahinapua Waterways - www.westcoastscenicwaterways.co.nz/accomodation

Meals:  B,L,D

Today's ride takes us to the end of the West Coast Wilderness. The trail leaves from our accommodation and follows the Mahinapua Creek, and then a historic tramline through wetlands, native forest and old mill sites with views of Lake Mahinapua. There's an option to divert slightly to the West Coast Treetop Walkway, where we can view the temperate rainforest giants from elevated platforms. Our last ride will be against a backdrop of stunning views on a fine day across to Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. In Ross we will load up the bikes and drive southwards towards Glacier Country. In the afternoon we will visit Okarito. Okarito is New Zealand's largest unmodified estuarine lagoon - home to more than 70 bird species, including the beautiful kotuku or white heron and royal spoonbills. The lagoon is surrounded by lush native rainforest, above which rise the towering snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. The area is an important feeding ground for thousands of wading birds and there's a huge area of shallow open water and tidal flats perfect for sheltered water kayaking. We will have the choice to either embark on a self guided kayak trip into the lagoon (own expense), or walk to Okarito Trig Viewpoint. The kayaking is easy and suited to beginner paddlers, we will kayak through the lagoon exploring the inland rivers and viewing the birdlife up close. Or the walk will take us through bush before crossing the estuary on a curving boardwalk and then winding gently uphill to the Trig. On a clear day, the view is unbeatable overlooking Westland National Park from the snow-capped Southern Alps extensive native forest to the lagoons and beaches of the coast. We then overnight in Franz Josef Glacier. Cycling Distance: West Coast Wilderness Lake Mahinapua to Ross - 30km Optional Activities: Visit Okarito and kayak the lagoon - 2-3 hours, or walk to Okarito trig point 1.5 hours. Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier - www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/franz-josef/scenic-hotel-franz-josef-glacier

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have a day off the bike with time to enjoy the scenic highlights along the West Coast. We will take a walk to visit the Franz Josef lookout and after a short drive over to the township of Fox Glacier, we can walk to view the jewel-like Lake Matheson. If the weather is clear we will have mirror reflections of Fox Glacier and the Southern Alps. Continuing our drive south, we will make a number of stops at beautiful viewpoints which could include Bruce Bay, Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Falls and Fantail Falls, we'll then reach the Gates of Haast and cross from Westland over the Haast Pass into Otago. We’ll travel past coastal scrub, rain forest and native bush, alpine tussock lands, lakes and mountains - this road showcases the best of South Island scenery all in one go. From Makarora we will take an exciting 1 hour jet boat ride up the Wilkin River into the Mount Aspiring National Park. Surrounded by snow capped peaks and through pristine river valleys, this is an incredible journey. We end the day at our waterfront hotel within walking distance of Wanaka, which will be our base for the next 3 nights. Scenic Drive: approx 5-6 hours Accommodation: Edgewater Resort Wanaka - www.edgewater.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we set off on our bikes along the side of the lake shore, we will pass by the famous Wanaka Tree. We then join the Outlet Trail following the crystal clear waters of the Clutha River/Mata-Au from the Lake Wanaka outlet to Albert Town. This stretch of the river is world-renowned for its trout fishing and the track offers easy riding with many spots to stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. We visit the Pembroke Patisserie for a delicious morning tea and next up is the Hawea River Track. This 10km bike trail following the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea is an easy grade and beautifully scenic. Look out for the surfing wave on the way! After lunch we take a walk offering stunning panoramic views over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. After a short drive round the western edge of Lake Wanaka we start our walk by climbing gently around the side of Rocky Mountain to the grassy summit offering a superb vista into the Mount Aspiring National Park. On a fine day we should be able to see the snowy peak of Mount Aspiring/Tititea. We descend via the beautiful Diamond Lake and return to Wanaka. Cycling Distance: Wanaka to Lake Hawea - 26km Hiking Distance: Rocky Mountain - 7km, 3 hours Accommodation: Edgewater Resort Wanaka - www.edgewater.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is your guide's rest day, there’s the option of a long lie-in and spending the rest of the day cruising Wanaka’s many cafes and outdoor shops or you can stick with the active theme of the tour and choose one of the myriad of activities offered by local operators, such as kayaking on Lake Wanaka, off-road driving, mountain biking and hiking … and there are plenty of walks and easy rides that you can do yourselves, Tereza will be able to give you lots of ideas. Accommodation: Edgewater Resort Wanaka - www.edgewater.co.nz

Meals:  B

This morning we get to sit back and enjoy another stunning drive over the Crown Range Road. Renowned for its beautiful views and epic scenery the road traverses New Zealand's highest sealed alpine pass at 1076m and there will be a chance to see the iconic Cardrona Hotel. Today we will ride some of the best sections of the Queenstown Trails, either starting from the Gibbston Valley and riding back to the historic Kawarau bridge and then on to Arrowtown. Or setting off from Arrowtown we can make a loop to include the Countryside Trail and Lake Hayes. Either way we will get to ride the Arrow River Bridges Trail which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges and is a delightful ride also taking in the Kawerau Bridge where we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! We will have time to explore Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town before heading to our comfortable accommodation. Cycling Distance: Queenstown Trails - approx 40km Accommodation - Millbrook Resort - www.millbrook.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast at our accommodation we drive through the picturesque lower Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell. We unload the bikes at Smith’s Way and start our journey with an easy ride following the glistening shores of Lake Dunstan. We pass through Cromwell’s Old Town, a small historic precinct dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s, where galleries, coffee shops and boutiques give us a short break from the bike. The trail continues along the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge offering stunning views across the lake while passing by wineries and olive groves. This is the perfect stop for lunch and a wine tasting at a nearby boutique vineyard. From Cornish Point we can continue along the new Lake Dunstan Trail into the dramatic Cromwell Gorge, where the track winds around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above the lake to Clyde. For those riders who wish to avoid the more demanding section through the gorge, there will be an option to drive to Clyde and ride all or part of the easier river trail to Alexandra, or explore the small historic town. We stay in Clyde for the next 2 nights. Cycling Distances: Smith’s Way to Cornish Point – 30km Cornish Point to Clyde via Lake Dunstan (Moderate) – 25km Clyde to Alexandra River Trail (Introductory) – 12km each way Accommodation: Lord Clyde Hotel - www.olivers.co.nz/the-lord-clyde

Meals:  B,L,D

Our Central Otago cycling adventure continues on The Roxburgh Gorge Trail. We follow the route of the old railway into Alexandra and then cross the Clutha River to head into the Roxburgh gorge. Our trail takes us through a remote barren, treeless landscape, flanked by bluffs up to 350 metres high, following stone walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. We arrive at Doctor's Point to meet a jet boat (own expense) to take us on a scenic journey for the next 13km through the gorge to Shingle Creek. Back on our bikes we start a gradual climb to Elbow Creek and pass through a small, secluded valley with regenerating Kanuka (tea tree) scrubland and into sweeping hill country farmland. A series of switchbacks lead us to the impressive Roxburgh Hydro Dam lookout. Its then a further 9km along the river to reach Roxburgh, where we load up the bikes and return to Clyde. Cycle Distance: Clyde to Roxburgh - 43km Accommodation: Lord Clyde Hotel - www.olivers.co.nz/the-lord-clyde

Meals:  B,L

Today we head to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Leaving Clyde behind, we drive up the shores of Lake Dunstan that leads us to the dramatic Lindis Pass. Crossing the Pass we enter the high-country landscape of the MacKenzie Basin where we ride some more of the Alps to Ocean trail. Setting off from Omarama we cycle to Sailor’s Cutting following the edge of Lake Benmore. We traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree covered islands. The trail then drops us down from above the impressive Benmore Dam. We then load up the bikes and continue driving to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, a scenic journey which takes us past the stunning Lake Pukaki with a drive time of around 1.5 hours. We settle into our accommodation with panoramic views of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps. We will stay here for the following 2 nights. Cycling Distance: Omarama to Benmore Dam - 29km Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel - www.hermitage.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres, including Mount Tasman. This morning we’ll experience the only Glacial Boat tour in New Zealand, on the Tasman Lake, a proglacial lake formed by the recent retreat of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier It’s a surreal and mesmerising experience in a totally unique environment and the 3 hour tour is designed to both thrill and educate as you learn about the ever-changing glacial landscape. Depending on the weather and our energy levels in the afternoon, we can either relax in the Mt Cook Village visiting the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre or the Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (own cost) or we can tackle one of the outstanding walks in the National Park. 1. The Hooker Valley track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Mueller Glacier on a clear day. Along the way we’ll cross the Hooker River via three swingbridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains. 2. The Sealy Tarns is an adventure hiking up the 'stairway to heaven' some 2,200 steps straight to the freshwater lakes of Sealy Tarns. An abundance of alpine flowers in summer and the views from the tarns make the effort worthwhile. A second night in Aoraki/Mt Cook Village provides another opportunity to view these peaks at sunset and marvel at the incredible starry night sky. Hiking Options: Hooker Valley 10km return, 3hrs; Sealy Tarns 6km return, 3 hrs Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel - www.hermitage.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

The drive back to Christchurch offers more great views as we head back down Lake Pukaki and continue through the MacKenzie Basin via Lake Tekapo to the pretty country towns of Fairlie and Geraldine. Depending on the time available there will be options to do a number of walks or cycle rides on the way, such as riding more of the Alps to Ocean alonside the Tekapo Canals, ride to Lake Alexandrina or walk up to the top of Mount John for views over Lake Tekapo. Our final drive takes us across the vast Canterbury Plains to arrive back into Christchurch in the early evening. Accommodation: The George Hotel - www.thegeorge.com

Meals:  B,L

After breakfast, one group transfer will be provided to take you from your hotel to Christchurch airport.

Meals:  B