14 Day South Islands Top Ride

You’ll have to make sure you arrive in Christchurch by around 10am, where we'll meet you to start your trip. Here your bike will get sorted and make we will make sure everything is adjusted to your liking, although we can always tweak it on the way around. You’ll then have a chance to stretch your legs by cycling the Waiau Valley through to Hanmer Springs. Hanmer Springs is a wonderful place of natural hot springs where you can soak, relax and socialize in the fresh water mineral spas while enjoying wonderful mountain views.

Notes: Cycling distance - 48miles (77km) - Waipara to Hanmer Springs (ascent 350m, gradual).

ACCOMMODATION: Hanmer Springs lodgings, Hanmer Springs (B,L,D)

Today we'll follow the Inland Scenic route past Mt Lyford, cycling over roller-coaster hills and through farmland with plenty of ups and downs to enjoy. We'll finish our ride where the mountains plunge into the sea, once we hit the Pacific Ocean in Kaikoura. Kaikoura is home to an abundance of marine life including dusky dolphins, whales and seals. Keep an eye out on the beach as there may be a seal or two taking a break from a day of hunting in the sea.

Notes: Cycling distance - 80miles (130km) - Hanmer to Kaikoura (ascent 300m, descent 550m, rolling terrain).

ACCOMMODATION: Admiral Creighton B&B, Kaikoura (B,L,D)

We'll start the day with a quick breakfast before heading out to swim with some of Kaikoura’s more famous local personalities – the playful Dusky dolphins! You’ll be fitted with all the gear you need before jumping on the boat and heading out into the bay, where you'll have the opportunity to enter the world of the dolphins and swim with them as they pass by. If you prefer not to jump in the water, you can stay on board the boat and marvel at their acrobatic displays from the deck. It’s amazing! Afterwards, we'll bike along the coastal road, watching the local New Zealand fur seals (arctocephalus forsteri) cavorting in the water and sunbathing on the rocks. We'll carry on into the Marlborough wine region and Forrest Estate Winery, where we'll finish up our day sampling their fantastic wines.

Notes: Cycling distance - 80miles (130km) - Kaikoura to Blenheim (ascent 275m, descent 275m).

ACCOMMODATION: Blenheim lodgings, Blenheim (B,L,D)

Following the route of “the grape ride” we start at Renwick on the outskirts of Blenheim and cycle through the heart of the wine region. Once we arrive in Picton, we'll join on to the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive – one of the best rides in New Zealand and a real highlight of this trip – and wind our way around the fabulous Marlborough Sounds to our destination at Portage Bay in Kenepuru Sound. Enjoy your evening at this peaceful retreat in the heart of nature.

Notes: Cycling distance - 46miles (75km) - Renwick to Portage (ascent 200m, descent 200m, 3 hills).

ACCOMMODATION: Portage Resort, Marlborough Sounds (B,L,D)

You’ll wake up this morning to a wonderful view and the sounds of native birds. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast while you take it all in. When you're ready, we'll cycle from Portage Resort back along Kenepuru Sound and into Havelock. Havelock is well known for their scrumptious green lipped mussels, so if you're a sea food fanatic, they’re sure to be on the menu for lunch! We'll cycle back into rolling farmland in the afternoon, and head inland along the Pelorus River, climb over the Rai and Whangamoa Saddles and wind our way down into the sunny, arty and colourful town of Nelson.

Notes: Cycling distance - 65miles (104km) - Portage to Pelorus River to Nelson (ascent 400m, descent 400m, 3 hills).

ACCOMMODATION: Nelson lodgings, Nelson (B,L)

You’ve been working hard, so it’s time to take a break and make your own plans. There’s a heap to do if you want to explore, whether you opt to soak up the local art and café culture that Nelson is well known for, or do something more energetic. If you're opting for a laid back day, Saturday is market day in Montgomery Square in the town centre, so it’s always fun to have a poke around there - we recommend trying the home-made gourmet pies! It’s all up to you today and there’s plenty to do – enjoy yourself.

ACCOMMODATION: Nelson lodgings, Nelson

We'll depart Nelson in the morning and make our way through more stunning green New Zealand countryside and fruit orchards out to Motueka. From there we'll head on to Abel Tasman National Park, a place of lush forests, turquoise waters and golden sands. A fun option for the afternoon is to catch one of the boats round the coast to hike part of the Abel Tasman track, so if you're keen to take a break from the saddle, your guides can easily arrange this for you. Otherwise, we'll bike on the inland roads and enjoy the sea air of the Abel Tasman area.

ACCOMMODATION: Abel Tasman lodgings, Abel Tasman (B,L,D)

Takaka Hill is the largest continuous climb on the Top Ride and it’s a monster! Category One class, it’s 17km from sea level to the top of the mountain, with the first 3km being the hardest at almost 9% gradient – so let’s do it! You’ll be well rewarded at the top with panoramic views out over Golden Bay and the mountains of Kahurangi National Park. A superb picnic lunch prepared by your co-guide will also be waiting for you at the top and then the most amazing downhill back down! After a fabulous and challenging day, we'll relax and recharge in Abel Tasman over a good meal before preparing for tomorrow’s ride.

ACCOMMODATION: Abel Tasman lodgings, Abel Tasman (B,L,D)

t’s time to farewell the golden sands of the Abel Tasman region and cycle out past fruit orchards and hop fields along the Motueka River. Further inland, we'll join on to the Buller Valley and follow this scenic route south to Murchison. Murchison is the whitewater capital of New Zealand, so look out for rafters and kayakers making their way along the Buller River alongside you. New Zealanders love the outdoors – you're going to fit in well!

ACCOMMODATION: Murchison Motels, Murchison (B,L,D)

From Murchison we'll keep following along the path of the Buller River, known for its historic gold mining sites, downstream. If you’ve got eagle eyes, you may spot rainbow trout in the river. However, the only way you can eat this delicacy in New Zealand is to catch it yourself! Fishing, especially fly fishing, is a very popular sport in New Zealand, so if you're a fly fisherman on the side you'll be delighted at the opportunities here! We'll finish in Westport today, a town located at the mouth of the Buller River where you'll get your first glimpse of the Tasman Sea and the West Coast

ACCOMMODATION: Westport lodgings, Westport (B,L,D)

The heaving swells of the Tasman Sea have carved the coastline of the West Coast for millions of years. Nowhere is the effect on the landscape more spectacular and profound than at Punakaiki. These rocks really are remarkable pieces of natural sculpture, a series of stratified limestone stacks which, over many thousands of years, have been eroded to give the effect of giant piles of neatly stacked pancakes. Another prominent feature are the blowholes that, at high tide or in heavy weather, regularly throw up columns of dazzling spray high out of the blowholes - Best seen after wonderful westerly storms when the sun is reasserting itself in the face of fantastic cloud formations on the horizon.

ACCOMMODATION: Punakaiki lodgings, Punakaiki (B,L,D)

The rugged coastline and beautiful beaches of the West Coast will keep our spirits soaring as we make our way further along our journey. Heading inland again, we'll cycle through a couple of small coal mining villages that are the mainstays of this area, and then to Lake Brunner. The lake is popular for water sports, so you're likely to see wake boarders and jet boaters out making the most of the day. Our accommodation tonight is right on the shoreline of this pretty lake, and there’s nothing like a body of water to soothe the soul.

ACCOMMODATION: Lake Brunner lodgings, Lake Brunner (B,L,D)

Today it’s time to tackle Arthur’s Pass – the highest pass through the Southern Alps. We'll start by making our way around the lake and then into the heart of the Southern Alps, where the mountainous peaks tower up to create a magnificent skyline. You can catch a lift to the top of the pass if you like! We'll stop for lunch in the small township of Arthur’s Pass, surrounded by beautiful green bushland and stunning mountains. Then it’s time for the next phase of the day, so with lunch fuelling our fires, we'll continue over the pass through the national park, watching the land change from scree slopes and snow capped peaks, to beach forests and wide river mouths as we go. Following the Waimakariri River, we'll arrive at Flock Hill, our final destination on the eastern side of the Alps, where we'll have a well-deserved final evening celebration together.

ACCOMMODATION: Flock Hill Station, Flockhill (B,L,D)

After a leisurely breakfast, it’s back on the bikes once again for our final ride through to the alluvial Canterbury Plains and the farming township of Springfield, where we'll reluctantly swap our bikes for the bus to make our way back into Christchurch. We'll arrive by early afternoon, so book your international flights to depart after 3pm, or we can make 2pm domestic flights with a little notice. International flights from Auckland usually leave early evening, so if you're heading back to North America, you'll get home some time on Sunday, even though you left on Sunday evening (the joys of world travel)! Flights back to Europe, of course, take a little bit longer. We'll send you home fit, healthy and full of energy with a whole bunch of wonderful memories too.

(B,L)