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Southern Lakes Cycle
This superb cycling adventure from Christchurch to Queenstown offers you a chance to explore the vast and impressive Mackenzie Basin by bike to truly appreciate its huge glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains. The itinerary also allows you an opportunity to stretch the legs to admire the grandeur of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, when you walk beneath its flanks.
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelFamiliar
- Skill Level3 - Intermediate
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainAlpine
- Distance285.8 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance40.4 miles
The tour begins with an awesome ride on the Banks Peninsula with views of the vivid blue Lyttelton harbor, the crater of an extinct volcano. Day 2 takes you through beautiful farm country before some superb riding alongside the stunning turquoise lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki.
Following the Waitaki River to the coast via the "big-sky country" in Central Otago you will head inland again to finish in Queenstown, nestled beside the impressive Lake Wakatipu. This charismatic town, widely regarded as the 'Adventure Capital of New Zealand', is a great place to spend a few extra days if your schedule allows.
The Southern Lakes Cycle is graded moderate. You will need to be a competent road rider with stamina and a good level of fitness, you should be able to cycle comfortably for 4-6 hours or around 80km/50miles per day, day after day. There are some long undulating and hilly sections. You should be confident riding on main roads alongside traffic which can be traveling at speed. This tour is not for beginners. The tour is fully supported and if at any stage you feel like having a rest from cycling you will be able to ride in the support vehicle.