After all the planing and preparation the wait is finally over! Please make your way to your Australian gateway airport for your flight to Christchurch. Flight details will be sent once you register. On arrival into Christchurch we will be met by our guides at the international airport. We will be taken to their depot for a bike fitting and tour briefing. We will enjoy a short warm up ride through Hagley Park and the central city and then the rest of the afternoon will be free to explore. In the early evening we have our first group dinner together where we will learn more about the exciting itinerary in the week ahead. Cycling Distance: up to 15km

Meals:  D

After an early breakfast we depart Christchurch and drive across the Canterbury Plains towards Geraldine for a refreshment break before heading into the arid Mackenzie Country. We drive to Lake Tekapo Village for lunch and visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby statue standing as a tribute to the sheepdogs that make farming the Mackenzie Basin possible. This afternoon we set away on the first of the three famous cycle trails we are to conquer this tour - the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, following quiet roads that follow the turquoise blue waters of the canal system. We cycle past a salmon farm and enjoy a fast down hill to the edge of Lake Pukaki. We cycle round the shores of the lake on cycle trail to the visitor centre at the very southern edge of the lake and admire the views of majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook across its cerulean waters. Here we load up our bikes and transfer to Lake Ohau Lodge, we will be rewarded with fantastic views over Lake Ohau and treated to a delicious home cooked dinner. Cycling Distance: Tekapo to Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre - up to 45km

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have 2 options to continue along the Alps to Ocean trail. The first will take us alongside Lake Ohau and the Pukaki Canals towards Twizel and the second option for those who would like a challenge can follow the trail which climbs up to the Tarnbrae Saddle. At 900m this is the highpoint of the whole Alps to Ocean Cycle and your efforts are rewarded with stunning views across the Mackenzie Basin. The rough shingle track is steep and narrow and is suited to the more confident and fitter riders. In the afternoon we transfer to Clyde, a quaint historic gold mining town once a wild and rollicking “canvas” town bustling with gold miners, shop keepers and ever-present dancing girls. There will be time to explore the historic precinct with its stone buildings, gift shops, art galleries and numerous cafes. Those keen for more cycling can ride alongside the Clutha River. Then we enjoy sampling some local boutique wines at a vineyard in Clyde before heading to dinner. Cycling Distance: Lake Ohau Lodge to Twizel - 35 km or Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama via Tarnbrae Saddle - 41 km Optional Clutha River Ride - 12km one way

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we embark on the second of our cycle trails - the Otago Central Rail Trail, a beautiful 150km historic journey into the Central Otago heartland. As one of the historic gold mining locations of New Zealand, the Central Otago region is full of colonial history. We set off from the trail head in Clyde and head towards Chatto Creek, with views of the Dunstan Mountains and Raggedy Range in the distance. The trail starts to rise before levelling off to Omakau where we stop for lunch. We then take a drive to visit the quaint township of Ophir and the iconic road bridge. After lunch the remaining 9kms flow under the wheels until we arrive at Lauder. Late afternoon we will visit another historic gold mining village, St. Bathans, for a walk around the incredible man-made Blue Lake, with sluicings and gold mining remains. This evening it is time for a relaxing beer and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner. Cycling Distance: Clyde to Lauder - 44km

Meals:  B,L,D

Our cycle ride today takes us onto the most dramatic part of the trail following the rocky and willow tree-edged Pooleburn Gorge, crossing the 37m high Poolburn Viaduct, and through 2 long tunnels before we emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. Here we stop for a visit to the Hayes Engineering works, where some of New Zealand's first industrial farm equipment was invented. The stop is also perfectly located to fuel up with a hearty lunch at their cafe before our afternoon ride. One last short easy climb takes us to the highest point of the rail trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that take us to the art deco township of Ranfurly. We’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some washing. Around 4:30pm we drive out to Naseby, a small foresting township, just off the trail. Here we have the option of trying our skills at curling: bowls on ice. This is a lot of fun and is the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling doesn't appeal, a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel, or a walk around the village or in the forest plantation are alternatives. After these activities we head back to Ranfurly for dinner and overnight. Cycling Distance: Lauder to Ranfurly - 47km

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we complete the Otago Central Rail Trail. From Waipiata the trail follows the edge of an old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge. The trail crosses through further tunnels and bridges before a fast downhill to the old hotel at Hyde. From here a final 27kms takes us past the scene of the famous Hyde rail disaster of 1943 and then out onto Strath Taieri valley under the Rock and Pillar mountain range, slowly descending into Middlemarch. This is the end of the trail and time for a celebratory drink at a local cafe. However the day is not yet finished and we board the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular train ride through the gorge to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand. Our dinner tonight is a group celebration to acknowledge the 150kms and completion of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Cycling Distance: Ranfurly to Middlemarch - 59km

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we visit Baldwin Street, reputedly the “steepest street in the world”, for a short but challenging early morning stroll! We then head towards Roxburgh and the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail linking towns established during the Gold Rush of the 1860’s. From Dunedin we drive to Millers Flat where we start our final riding day. Today sees us squeezing past Dumbarton Rock, which once stretched all the way across the river, before riding past the network of orchards and rural farmland alongside the Clutha River back to Lake Roxburgh Village. We continue our journey onto Roxburgh Dam, the oldest Hydro Dam in the South Island, from where we connect with the final section of our ride, known as the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. The Roxburgh Gorge is a stunning landscape of steep hillsides strewn with giant boulders leading down to a willow-lined river and lake. Our final ride is split up with a scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha River before arriving in the town of Alexandra. Here we load up the bikes and transfer to the adrenalin capital of NZ; Queenstown, making a fitting end to our tour. Tonight we enjoy a final group dinner to celebrate our week’s cycling achievements. Cycling Distance: Millers Flat to Alexandra - up to 50km

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning after breakfast we have a half day by our self where you can organise a jet boat ride or go bungee jumping before your 15:45 afternoon flight. We say a sad farewell to our guides and cycling companions as we catch a shuttle to the airport for check in. We will be delivered to Queenstown Airport time for our flights. Flight details will be sent once you register.

Meals:  B