Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook
You'll arrive in Christchurch before 10am and connect with your guides at either the pick-up hotel or airport. From there, it's a drive south toward Aoraki Mount Cook with a picnic lunch waiting for you in the Southern Alps foothills. Once you get fitted with your touring bike, you'll take a scenic 8km ride to White Horse Campground. If there's time left, the Hooker Valley walk is there if you want it (2-3 hours return). That night you're staying in Aoraki Mount Cook Village.
- Start point
- Christchurch Airport, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Merivale Manor in Christchurch at 9.30am or at Christchurch airport (CHC) in front of the Help Desk (near door 7) at 10am.)
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch in the foothills of the Southern Alps), Dinner
Included Activities
- Picnic lunch in the Southern Alps foothills
- Bike fitting and orientation
- Scenic 8km bike ride to White Horse Campground
Optional Activities
- Hooker Valley walk (approximately 2-3 hours return, 9 kilometres)
Landmarks/POIs Aoraki Mount Cook Southern Alps White Horse Campground Hooker Valley 
- Day 2
Aoraki Mount Cook to Mackenzie Country
After breakfast, you're heading out on a helicopter flight over the Tasman River to reach the 'Rotten Tommy' section of trail. You'll fly over New Zealand's longest glacier and see the thundering waters below. Then you bike from Braemar Road to Tekapo B Power Station, skirting Lake Pukaki with a water break at the scenic lookout. This is your biggest day at 73.5km of riding. For the night you're in Mackenzie Country with Southern Alps views. The clear skies make this perfect for stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Helicopter flight over Tasman River to 'Rotten Tommy'
- Bike ride from Braemar Road to Tekapo B Power Station
- Water break at Lake Pukaki lookout with views of Aoraki Mount Cook
- Scenic 73.5km bike ride through Mackenzie Country
Optional Activities
- Stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Tasman River Tasman Glacier Tekapo B Power Station Lake Pukaki Lake Tekapo Lake Ohau Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve - Day 3
Mackenzie Country to Lake Ohau
Today you ride along the winding canal to Lake Ohau's shores, passing through Twizel (built originally for hydroelectric workers). You'll follow quiet sealed roads and smooth shingle trails to Ohau Lodge. If you're up for a challenge, try the climb from the Lodge to Tarnbrae at 900 metres, the trail's highest point, then you get an uninterrupted downhill to Quailburn Road. You'll cross several creeks with spectacular views the whole way. The bus takes you back to Ohau Lodge for the night. If the weather cooperates, there's a hot tub to relax in, and dinner happens together in the Lodge restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at Ohau Lodge restaurant)
Included Activities
- Scenic 58.5km bike ride through Mackenzie Country to Lake Ohau
- Ride through Twizel
- Dinner at Ohau Lodge restaurant
Optional Activities
- Climb from Ohau Lodge to Tarnbrae (900 metres / 2953 feet), the highest point on the trail
- Relax in the hot tub at Ohau Lodge
Landmarks/POIs Twizel Lake Ohau Ohau Lodge Tarnbrae Parsons Creek Sawyers Creek Freehold Creek 
- Day 4
Lake Ohau to Omarama to Otematata
You start with easy downhill riding on Quailburn Road straight to Omarama, known as New Zealand's gliding capital for its perfect thermals. Then it's another 35km to Otematata. The bus brings you back from Otematata to Omarama for the night. The riding conditions are excellent throughout and the scenery stays that way too.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Easy downhill bike ride from Quailburn Road to Omarama
- Scenic 35km bike ride from Omarama to Otematata
- Bus transfer back to Omarama from Otematata
Optional Activities
- Observe gliding operations in Omarama
Landmarks/POIs Omarama Otematata - Day 5
Otematata to Kurow to Duntroon to Oamaru
Today's 45km from Otematata to Kurow mostly follows low-traffic tar-sealed roads. You'll pass over Benmore Hydro Dam (New Zealand's second-largest hydro station) and skirt Lake Aviemore. Kurow is your lunch stop and it's in New Zealand's emerging pinot noir region. After stretching your legs, you tackle the second part: 28km of gravel from Kurow to Duntroon alongside the Waitaki River through the valley. You'll see vineyards, rivers, and the Takiroa Maori rock art site, a limestone shelter with rock art from 1400-1900 AD. Then it's on to Oamaru for dinner and the night. Your total for the day is 72km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic 45km bike ride from Otematata to Kurow on tar-sealed roads
- Passage over Benmore Hydro Dam
- Scenic 28km gravel ride from Kurow to Duntroon
- View of Takiroa Maori rock art site
- Dinner in Oamaru
Optional Activities
- Explore Kurow pinot noir wine region
- Visit Takiroa Maori rock art site (limestone shelter with rock art from 1400-1900 AD)
Landmarks/POIs Benmore Hydro Dam Lake Aviemore Kurow Waitaki River Duntroon Takiroa Maori rock art site Oamaru - Day 6
Duntroon to Oamaru Pacific Ocean
You finish the Alps 2 Ocean trail with a celebratory 48km ride from Duntroon to the Pacific Ocean at Oamaru. Most of this ride is smooth shingle away from traffic through irrigated farmland. You'll pass Elephant Rocks, a distinctive limestone formation millions of years old, and ride along an old railway that includes a 100-metre tunnel. The trail ends at Friendly Bay as you enter Oamaru through the Gardens and the Victorian Historic Precinct. After celebrating with fellow riders, you can explore the Victorian Precinct on foot and grab a beer before heading back to Christchurch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Final 48km bike ride from Duntroon to Oamaru Pacific Ocean
- Passage through Elephant Rocks
- Ride through historic railway tunnel (approximately 100 metres)
- Ride through Oamaru Gardens
- Walk through Victorian Historic Precinct
- Celebration at Friendly Bay (trail endpoint)
Optional Activities
- Explore Oamaru Victorian Historic Precinct
- Celebratory beer at Friendly Bay
Landmarks/POIs Elephant Rocks Oamaru Gardens Oamaru Victorian Historic Precinct Friendly Bay Pacific Ocean 
