New Zealand Alps to the Ocean

Day 1: Christchurch or Queenstown - Braemer Station, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 2: Braemer Station - Twizel, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 3: Twizel - Omarama, 39 mi. (64 km)
Day 4: Omarama - Kurow, 42 mi. (68 km)
Day 5: Kurow - Enfield, 43 mi. (69 km)
Day 6: Enfield - Oamaru, 8 mi. (12 km). Transfer back to Christchurch or Queenstown, end of tour

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Christchurch or Queenstown - Braemer Station, 22 mi. (35 km)
Group departure is from Queenstown or Christchurch city center (you will be informed of exact location) at 7:30 am. After a lunch stop in Twizel, you'll transfer to Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's most iconic national park, where the real excitement begins. A helicopter flight whisks you across the Tasman River, dropping you at a remote section of the trail for a spectacular first ride through high-country tussock to the historic Braemar Station. Tonight, your guides prepare dinner at this remote pastoral retreat, your home for the night under a vast Canterbury sky.

*Group departure depends on the tour date and group preference. For already confirmed departures, group participants may have already chosen the pick up/drop off location. Please see dates and pricing for details. 

Day 2: Braemer Station - Twizel, 37 mi. (59 km)
Today's ride is one of the most visually stunning on the entire trail. You'll follow the shoreline of Lake Pukaki, famous for its extraordinary turquoise-blue glacial water. Ride along a scenic gravel cycle trail, with the Ben Ohau Range rising dramatically to the west and the snow-capped peak of Aoraki/Mt Cook slowly trailing behind you. A picnic lunch in this magnificent setting is an experience you won't forget. After leaving the lake, the trail crosses the wide Pukaki Flats and follows sealed canal roads to the edge of Lake Ohau, finishing in the friendly town of Twizel for a memorable dinner at one of its finest restaurants.

Day 3: Twizel - Ōmarama, 39 mi. (64 km)
Leaving Twizel, you'll continue along the flowing trail around Lake Ohau, with a morning tea stop at tranquil Lake Middleton. The ride then climbs to the highest point on the Alps 2 Ocean trail, a gentle but rewarding ascent of 350 meters that opens up sweeping panoramic views across the Mackenzie Basin, one of New Zealand's most celebrated landscapes. After a fresh picnic lunch at the top, enjoy a long, exhilarating descent through golden tussock fields into the village of Ōmarama. A long soak in the famous Ōmarama Hot Tubs to ease any tired muscles is the perfect way to end the day. Enjoy dinner at a local café.

Day 4: Ōmarama - Kurow, 42 mi. (68 km)
As you leave the high country behind, today's ride reveals a new chapter in the South Island story: the Waitaki Hydro Electric Scheme, an engineering marvel that transformed this river valley. You'll cycle past the shimmering shores of Lakes Benmore, Aviemore, and Waitaki, with trail surfaces ranging from smooth shingle to sealed road. The highlight of the day is the outstanding new Sailors Cutting section, a scenic gem that has quickly become a favorite among Alps 2 Ocean cyclists. The day finishes in style in the small town of Kurow, with a private tasting at a local award-winning winery followed by a fabulous dinner.

Day 5: Kurow - Enfield, 43 mi. (69 km)
Today's ride is rich in natural wonder. From Kurow, the trail follows the braided Waitaki River to the charming village of Duntroon, before heading up into the hills to one of the trail's most extraordinary landmarks: the Elephant Rocks, a surreal collection of giant limestone boulders rising from the farmland like ancient sentinels. Winding through more remarkable limestone outcrops, you'll catch your first thrilling glimpse of the Pacific Ocean glittering over the coastal plains. The day ends with a glide downhill through the darkness of Rakis Tunnel, emerging to reach your luxury boutique accommodation at Enfield,  a well-earned reward after the longest day of the tour.

Day 6: Enfield - Ōamaru, 8 mi. (12 km). Transfer back to Christchurch or Queenstown, end of tour.
The final morning of your Alps 2 Ocean journey is a gentle, joyful ride through lush farmland and green pastures as the Pacific Ocean finally comes into full view. Arriving in the charming town of Ōamaru, you'll have a little time to explore before gathering for a well-deserved celebration: a pizza lunch at a local craft brewery, the perfect toast to an incredible week in the saddle. Your guides then transfer you back to Christchurch or Queenstown, arriving around 5pm.

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You will stay in handpicked accommodations to provide you with quality and variety. Please see each day’s details for the preferred accommodations. Due to the limited accommodation on the trail, there are evenings when facilities may be shared, specifically in Braemer Station Lodge, and based on availability, perhaps on other nights as well. You will be provided with a final hotel list upon confirmation