Southern Alps Epic

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrivals, Nelson Riding

   Kia Ora Mates! Welcome to this little slice of paradise called the South Island of New Zealand! Today, pick-ups are offered from your hotel by 10 am. Your guides will ensure you and your bike are ready for an incredible adventure ahead.

   You'll set off for a favourite ride in the Nelson Region, which could be locally or further into the Marlborough Sounds or Golden Bay areas. The Nelson region offers some world-class MTB trails that keep on delivering, with new tracks being built by Kiwi legends. After a great welcome ride, you’ll get together for a group dinner and go over the epic 8 days of MTB adventure ahead!
   
   

   • Nelson Accommodation
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Wakamarina Track, Marlborough Sounds

   Rising to delicious flat white coffee and the sound of summer, you'll be off to explore a hard-to-access MTB Track in the fern-filled gullies of The Marlborough Sounds. An all-time Kiwi classic track called the Wakamarina offers riders a chance to explore an old mining track, woven deep into the thick of the NZ jungle forests with technical sections to keep everyone on their toes. This track is ridden as a shuttle drop off, offering riders an awesome day in the saddle. Explore an old mining hut and some wicked downhill sections that will leave you grinning ear to ear. This adventure ride is a local's delight. Post ride enjoy a local brew amongst the sun-drenched shores of the Tasman Sea.
   

   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Old Ghost Road Ride and Heli-bike Option

   After an early start, you’ll head west to the ghost town of Lyell and get ready for a good climb up part of the Old Ghost Road.
   
   Here, you’re heading into New Zealand’s newest and epic backcountry singletracks ever made. You’ll ride up a well-graded incline of awesome singletrack, through magical forests and alpine ridgelines of the wild west coast. The Old Ghost Road is NZ’s longest singletrack, comprising of an impressive rugged 87 kms in total. Today, you’ll ride and enjoy a stunning part of it!
   
   For those ready for an extra adventure, there's a chance to opt in for a Heli Biking Experience to the top ridgeline of The Old Ghost Road and save the legs, while also experiencing an epic downhill.
   
   For those riders willing to pay for the helicopter, ( +400.00 NZD per rider on average) you’ll strap the bikes up and set off in style to the top of the Victoria Range to a sweet hut perched in pure beauty overlooking endless ridgelines of New Zealand’s west coast wilderness at its finest! You’ll be on top of the world, living life simply but awesomely in a backcountry hut with views to die for.
   
   
   Please Note: Weather and/or riding abilities may dictate that the heli-bike be changed to the Croesus Track or something else. Heavy rain does not allow us to chopper up here.

   The Heli-biking experience requires all bikes to be strapped securely to a rope that hangs under the chopper in flight. Although the bikes are packed with care, it is likely that the bikes will shift during air transport, creating scratches on the bike's paint. If you are concerned with your bike getting scratched, you have the option of wrapping your bike in a foam pad, which we will supply, and you will then be responsible for riding out with the foam pad in your backpack. Renting a bike through the Add-Ons tab is also an option. The operator is not responsible for scratches on bikes.
   
   
   

   • Backcountry Hut
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Try Heli-biking

     Get stuck into an epic adventure and fly high with your bike

4. Day 4West Coast Backcountry

   Rising in the heart of NZ’s remote backcountry and to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and great views, you’ll gear up for a great West Coast ride with character.
   
   You’ll flow through stunning Beech tree and Fern Gully forests on an epic West Coast backcountry track. After your ride, you’ll hop in the shuttle and drive down the Grey Valley heading inland, up and over the Southern Alps to the Craigieburn Forest.
   
   A scenic drive and rest after an awesome backcountry MTB Adventure.
   
   

   • Craigieburn Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
5. Day 5Craigieburn Trails

   Today, you’re in a completely different landscape, as you find yourself in the foothills of the Southern Alps. You’ll get back in the saddle for some epic riding in the rugged wilderness of Craigieburn Forest—a long-time favourite playground for hikers, skiers, climbers, and riders.
   
   You’ll start with tackling an uphill gravel road to the bottom of Craigieburn Ski Field, before heading down the well-named Edge trail and onto a track called “The Luge.”
   
   After the Luge, a short uphill is followed by the new Dracophyllum and Hogsback Track. This is New Zealand’s singletrack at its best, mates… a real hoot—sweet singletrack all the way! In the afternoon, you’ll rest your muscles as you drive to the high dry McKenzie Country.
   
   Some of NZ’s finest scenery and stunning turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, and home to the clearest skies in the world!
   
   

   • Lake Tekapo Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Lunch
6. Day 6Lake Tekapo & Mt Cook Backcountry Trails

   Waking to the beauty and stunning landscapes of the Mackenzie Country, home to NZ’s highest mountains and some of the most outstanding natural scenery in the world, there's an inspiring singletrack ride to warm up with, which flows through native Tussocks along with incredible views of the turquoise-tainted Lake Tekapo & its glaciers.
   
   You’ll then move onto a secret gem of a ride on private land. This sheep singletrack flows through the best alpine views the South Island has to offer, with some of the best views of Mt Cook and the Ben Ohau Mountains. Imagine riding through glaciated peaks, roaming sheep, and flowers on a super fun cross-country ride, ending with a cold beer (or two).
   
   You’ll ride to your unique accommodation tonight—staying in a converted shearer’s quarters with views to die for. It doesn’t get more Kiwi than this, mates!
   
   

   • Converted Shearer’s Quarters
   • Breakfast and Lunch
7. Day 7Lake Wanaka & Alexandra Rides

   After leaving this breathtaking place, you’ll head down to Central Otago, home to semi-desert-like landscapes, great Pinot Noirs, and amazing riding.
   
   You’ll enjoy another postcard drive as you head over the Lindis Pass, and on to the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka & Alexandra. Here, you’ll spend the afternoon riding some amazing, fast, flowing singletrack made by the keen local mountain bike community.
   
   The rides offer both flow and technical rocky sections. After the riding, you’re off to some quaint accommodation right in the heart of a small local riding town.
   
   

   • Queenstown Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
8. Day 8Queenstown Riding

   Today, you’re off on a short drive over to the adventure capital of New Zealand, to the breathtaking area of Queenstown. The trails just keep on being created here, and we’re all about new discoveries.
   
   The ride of choice around these parts starts up on Coronet Peak, offering spectacular views over the Wakatipu Basin. You’ll enjoy a few laps on the epic downhill track known as Rude Rock before flowing onto the Skippers Canyon Pack Track. You’ll shred down into the remote Skippers Canyon, before climbing out onto the classic Zoot Track.
   
   If riders still have some legs, there’s an awesome ride that flows to a small little town, where you can end your amazing riding adventure in NZ.
   
   After smiling from ear to ear from these incredible trails, you’ll end your riding adventure this afternoon with some tired legs and happy hearts.
   
   Tonight, you’ll have a final farewell dinner and drinks in town.
   
   

   • Queenstown Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
9. Day 9Queenstown Goodbyes

   The last morning of the trip!
   
   High five your new riding pals and say your goodbyes until next time. Sob, weep, waaaaa!
   
   Today, your Guides will be offering drop-offs to the Queenstown Airport at 10:00 a.m. or to your hotel of choice in Queenstown by 10:30 a.m.
   
   Until next time!

   
   
   
   

   • Breakfast