New Zealand

 

Beach to Beech and Wine to Whales

Glaciers and Wineries

Beach to Beech and Wine to Whales Trip

A 6 Day scenic cycle through bush clad lakes and tracks, wild coastal rides and a small samplings of the best New Zealand Wines.

Day 1
After a pick-up from your hotel we start with our first cycle on the volcanic Port Hills above Christchurch. From a set up on the summit road, we cycle towards Sumner nestled on the coast. This ride provides spectacular views north to the Kaikoura ranges, and South to the Southern Alps. After a picnic lunch we drive and cycle the plains of Canterbury into the foothills. Edging onto the bushclad Lewis Pass and its mountain ranges is the thermal resort of Hanmer springs. At the end of this first day the hot pools are a welcome interlude.

Day 2
This morning the beautiful beech forests of the Lewis Pass beckon and by cycle and coach we gradually climb our way over this and then tackle the picturesque Rahu Saddle before another downhill rush with long sweeping corners. On beautifully sealed roads with lush temperate rainforest lining the roadside we ride until we reach the rugged beauty of the West Coast. Our accommodation for the evening is in the character filled old mining town of Greymouth.

Day 3
One of the trips many highlights is the coastal riding as we head northwards to Westport. From the Strongman Memorial through to the famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, the riding is pure quality – with enough hills to keep you honest. After a midday break we continue along the coast and finally reach our accommodation for the evening.

Day 4
We cycle the sealed roads through the impressive Buller Gorge where the upper gorge landscape provides us with snapshot vistas of the Buller River whose white water attracts many a rafting and kayak enthusiast. There are plenty of photo opportunities on this scenic and gently undulating ride, before we board our coach for a final ride into Nelson, home of NZ leading arts and crafts exhibits.

Day 5
By coach we motor over the steep outlying hills to arrive at the start of the beautiful Queen Charlotte Drive which skirts the Marlborough Sounds into Picton. From here it is a short hop over the hill to Blenheim, New Zealand's premier wine producing region. After a great lunch at one of the countries leading wineries, we head south down the dramatic East Coast to reach Kaikoura, home of New Zealand 's Whale Watch icon.

Day 6
For the early risers, an optional chance to view one of the great natural sights as whales surface against the spectacular mountain backdrop of the seaward Kaikoura Mountains. Following a late sumptuous breakfast we head further south cycling some of the great back roads and enjoying the scenery as we eventually return to Christchurch and deliver you to your accommodation for the night.

Departure Dates 2007: January 22nd , February 17th , March 15th , April 11th

Price: NZ$1,985 . Single Supplement (extra) NZ$483

Included in trip cost
• All meals excluding breakfast on day one and two dinners
• Guides and transportation
• Accommodation as detailed on a twin share basis
• Wine tasting and lunch
• Cycle and helmet
• All activities as shown
• Access and Concession fees to the Department of Conservation land
• New Zealand Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Not included
• Accommodation on Day 6
• Evening meals on Days 2, 4 and 5
• Personal expenses
• Alcohol other than that supplied on day 1 evening meal

Accommodation and Meals- The accommodation for this trip has been carefully selected to provide an experience which will match the grandeur of the scenery through which you cycle. With the exception of Top House the accommodation is on a twin share or double room basis with private facilities. The historic Top House is a special homestay with shared facilities. Meals are usually at a local restaurant or provided by our hosts, and are included in your trip price. Breakfasts and lunches are usually prepared by the accommodation or the guides themselves, and we use this time together to review the day and brief clients on their needs.

Glaciers and Wineries

This trip is the combination of the West Coast Escape and the Beach to Beech, Wine and Whales.

This 13 days bicycle vacation travels up the west coast of the south island, crosses to Christchurch before heading over the beech clad Lewis Pass en route to the arts and craft centre of Nelson. After exploring the regions wineries we head down the east coast via Kaikoura and its famed Whale watching to finally return back to Christchurch.

This itinerary provides incredibly diverse cycling – from the tussock headwaters of the east to the rainforests of the west, and then repeating them again and again. Awesome coastal rides contrast with the beech forests and wineries. Incredibly diverse, this route may just be one of the hidden treasures in our bicycle vacation portfolio!

* Cycle the shores of the Southern lakes as you head into the beech forests of the Haast Pass.
* Pause at the dramatic Gates of Haast bridge before entering the lowlands of the west coast.
* Explore the icy surfaces of the Fox Glacier with your party and qualified guide who wants to keep you out of the inner workings of the glacier!
* Relax on your bike as you clock up the miles through the rural farmlands and remote mountain lakes.
* Kickback on board the Trans Alpine Express back into Christchurch and your free day to explore this beautiful city.
* Soak up the hot thermal pools of Hanmer Springs as we head back into the foothills and head over Lewis Pass.
* Enjoy possibly one of the finest coastal rides as we stop off to explore Pancake Rocks and then onto Westport.
* Follow the Buller River as we head inland via quiet rural backroads and then finally arrive at Nelson, our arts capital.
* Sample some of the worlds best Sav Blancs as we toast ourselves over our winery lunch – before continuing en route to Kaikoura.
* Watch a sun rise as part of the optional whale watching activity on our final day, before we set sail again southwards towards the end at Christchurch.

Departure Dates 2007 : February 10th , March 8th , April 3rd

Prices 2007 : NZ $4,449 Single Supplement (extra) NZ $1,096