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14 day Otago Rail Trail cycle tour

This bicycle vacation starts from Christchurch with a gradual warm-up with mainly flat riding on the first 2 days as you head through to the quiet country towns of Methven and Geraldine.

From Geraldine you tackle some of the moderate hills that follow for the remainder of the trip as you cycle through to the spectacular lakeside town of Tekapo, where many of the scenes for the ‘Lord of the Rings’ were shot.

From Tekapo it’s along side the canals and glacier feed Southern Lakes and through the dramatic landscape of the McKenzie Basin to Queenstown, the Adventure capital of New Zealand.

After a rest day in Queenstown, you head to Cromwell and on to the historic central Otago Rail Trail.

On the rail trail you tackle gentle gradient off-road riding through the historic gold and farming towns of Central Otago as you head across dramatic backdrop of the Maniototo Plains.

From Middlemarch there is a short bike ride and then a spectacular train ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway to your final destination of Dunedin.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 We will meet you at your accommodation in Christchurch with bicycles and equipment and you then bike to Methven
Day 2 Methven to Geraldine
Day 3 Geraldine to Lake Tekapo
Day 4 Rest day/sightseeing
Day 5 Lake Tekapo to Omarama
Day 6 Omarama to Wanaka
Day 7 Wanaka to Queenstown
Day 8 Queenstown rest day and sightseeing
Day 9 Queenstown to Clyde (start of the Otago Rail Trail)
Day 10 Clyde to Lauder
Day 11 Lauder to Ranfurly
Day 12 Rest Day in Ranfurly
Day 13 Ranfurly to Dunedin (via Taieri Gorge train ride)
Day 14 Sightseeing in Dunedin

Equipment Included

  • Trek Mountain Bike for touring (with road tyres) brought to your accommodation and personally fitted or Mongoose Randonneur specialist touring bicycle [700c wheels & drop bars]
  • Ortlieb Rear Pannier Bags, front handlebar bag and comprehensive repair kit
  • Detailed itinerary, maps and notes on points of interest that you will pass
  • You can upgrade to an Avanti Vivace road bike available in combination with daily luggage transportation, contact us for further details

Accommodation

14 nights accommodation in twin rooms with bathroom ensuite, in carefully selected B&B's, home stays and small friendly motels (breakfast included).

Difficulty

Days 1-9 Moderate to demanding route with longer days, averaging 60 to 100 kms per cycling day
Days 10-15 Moderate route with days averaging 60 kms per cycling day

Season

This holiday operates September to May inclusive.

Map of 14 Day Otago Rail Trail self-guided New Zealand bicycle tour

Price

Low Season (September, October, November, March, April, May) NZ$2895 per person twin share
High Season (December, January & February) NZ$2950 per person twin share
Single supplement (on request basis only) NZ$900

Daily luggage cartage
Your gear can be waiting for you at the end of each day. This service costs an additional NZ$1400 per person (minimum of 2 people) although a discount is available for 3 or more people.

To ensure availability over the busy summer period, we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Lake wakatipu

Tairei Gorge train ride

cycle tunnel on the historic central Otago Rail Trail


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