SOUTHERN ALPS South Island New Zealand 15 Days/ 14 Nights Christchurch to Christchurch

Transcription

1 SOUTHERN ALPS South Island New Zealand 15 Days/ 14 Nights Christchurch to Christchurch Pedaltours Since The original New Zealand guided bike tour company. We specialise in wonderful fully supported cycling vacations for cyclists of all levels. Our tours highlight the stunning scenery and fabulous lodges of our country. We have the best rental bikes in New Zealand. Our tours are great value and are the easiest way to have a relaxed cycle vacation. Our knowledgeable, friendly local guides take pride in showcasing their country for you, while you cycle as little or as much as you want. Enjoy friendly Kiwi hospitality, a superb scenic mix of mountain passes and easier coastal terrain that will delight cycle enthusiasts knowing that each evening, there is a comfortable lodge and excellent cuisine awaiting you. Unspoiled New Zealand - glaciers, rainforests, lakes and snowy peaks; the Southern Alps tour takes you on a breathtaking loop through some of the world's finest scenery. New Zealand was one of the last places in the world to be settled by man and it still retains a rugged, incomparable pristine beauty. "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed here on the West Coast (or Te Wahi Pounamu to give it its Maori name) and is rightly recognized as a World Heritage Area. The South Island is known for friendly Kiwi hospitality, excellent local cuisine and includes interesting history from the region's gold mining days. The vibrant towns of Wanaka and Queenstown- both on the shores of beautiful lakes with an alpine backdrop make for a wonderful experience. Watch a sheep dog demonstration on a real high country sheep station and experience New Zealand at a cyclist s pace.

2 Page 2 Please bring this information with you to the tour start. Cas.= casual, int.= intermediate, adv = advanced. Should you need to contact Pedaltours please call the Auckland office: Cycling distances given are entirely optional; cycle as little or as much as you wish each day, ITINERARY The tour starts in New Zealand's second-largest city CHRISTCHURCH, (pop. 350,000); New Zealand's cycling capital and gateway to the South Island. It is an attractive city with the river Avon winding its way through the centre bordered by weeping willows, and has an excellent botanical garden at Hagley Park. Day Two: Christchurch to Arthur's Pass (pop. 300) Porter's Pass to Arthur's Pass: cas./int. 51 km./ 32 mi Springfield to Arthur s Pass W.Lodge: adv.68 km /42.5mi The Pedaltours minibus takes us through the suburbs and across the Canterbury Plains to the Torlesse Range and views of the Southern Alps which stretch for 450 kilometres along the spine of the South Island. Serious cyclists may wish to tackle Porters Pass (929m) but for those that want an easier first day we unload the bikes at the top before descending into an alpine valley. The terrain is rolling as we pass Lakes Pearson, Grasmere and Sarah on our way to the Waimakariri River and the gentle climb through dense beech forest to Arthur's Pass National Park. This afternoon you will have time to explore the superb high country setting of the Wilderness Lodge, with wonderful alpine views. You may have a chance to shear a sheep or watch the highly skilled sheep dogs at work on this working merino sheep station. MEETING DAY / DAY ONE: Christchurch Meet your cycling companions at noon at Chateau on the Park 189 Deans Ave, Riccarton, Christchurch Phone: res@chateau-park.co.nz The hotel is located opposite the green oasis of Hagley Park and about 15 minutes drive from Christchurch International Airport. Your tour leader will hold a trip orientation meeting prior to lunch. Time will be set aside to fit you to your Pedaltours rental bike or unpack your own. We'll then take a short ride around Hagley Park to try the bikes, or, weather dependent, the Summit Road for a panoramic view over the city. Arthur s Pass National Park - Magnificent mountain scenery, lakes the dramatic viaduct and descent through the Otira Gorge. It is a park of contrasts, with dry beech/tawhai forest in the east, luxuriant rainforest on western slopes, and a historic highway and railway running through the middle. The park was established in 1929 and was New Zealand s third national park and the first one in the South Island. The road to the West Coast was forged by 1000 men toiling through a bitter alpine winter in the 1860 s in order to access the newly discovered goldfields. The railway line was begun in 1907 and completed in 1923.

3 Page 3 Day Three: Arthur's Pass to Hokitika (pop. 3,400). Wilderness Lodge to Jackson s: cas. 50 km / 31 mi Wilderness Lodge to Kumara: int. 89 km / 56 mi Arthur's Pass to Hokitika: adv. 119 km / 74 mi We ride through beech forest to Arthur s Pass village and then climb to the top of the pass, dominated by Mt Rolleston (2270 m.) The descent through Otira Gorge is very spectacular and initially steep. From Jacksons (a quaint old pub) the terrain is gentle as we ride alongside the Taramakau River. Through stands of native forest, we reach Kumara (tavern) where you can decide to continue to cycle or to drive the last few miles to our lodging overlooking the beach. Like most towns on the West Coast, Hokitika started as a mining town. Now it depends on tourism and is especially noted for jade or 'greenstone' jewellery. Greenstone (pounamu) is collected from local river beds and can be seen worked in a shop factory. This section of the West Coast road was only completed in See glow-worms, try whitebait fritters and look out for kea (a cheeky native parrot); they are known to chew bike saddles. Westland National Park and Franz Josef Glacier: dramatic glacier flowing down to rainforest, with a backdrop of New Zealand s highest snow capped peaks. The terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier is less than 300 metres above sea level and is just one of three to be this close to the coastline. Day Four: Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier (pop.330) Mt Hercules summit to Franz Josef cas. 51km / 32 mi Lake Ianthe to Franz Josef: int. 80 km / 50 mi Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier: adv. 135 km / 84.4 mi Crossing the Hokitika River we head south through native bush of rimu and kahikatea (white pine). Our route takes us through an agricultural valley and forest. The country is rolling with one climb up Mt Hercules after the town of Harihari (nowhere near as daunting as the name suggests!) and a final flat run from Whataroa. Entering Westland National Park as we pass beautiful Lake Mapourika, we have superb views of snowcapped peaks.

4 Page 4 Day Five: Franz Josef Rest Day Franz Josef is one of two similar small villages perched near the endpoints of glaciers that come down from the highest mountains of the Southern Alps) to the coastal rainforest. Franz Josef Glacier is named after the 19th century Austrian emperor because the area was surveyed in the 1860's by an Austrian geologist, Julius von Haast. A walk up the glacier valley gives spectacular views of the terminal ice, while the Westland National Park Visitors Centres house a wealth of information. (Thirteen percent of N.Z. is national park.) Also highly recommended are ski- plane or helicopter flights over snowfields, forests and glaciers. Neighbouring Okarito Beach, site of Abel Tasman's landfall and once a thriving town, is a further option for those who want some more cycling or to visit the large lagoon, renowned for native birds, especially the lovely white heron or kotuku. Day Six: Franz Josef to Lake Moeraki Bruce Bay to Lake Moeraki: cas. 43 km/ 27 mi Fox to Lake Moeraki: int. 89 km / 56 mi Franz Josef to Lake Moeraki: adv.114 km / 71 mi From Franz Josef to Fox Glacier is just 24 km, but includes three quite severe climbs (and descents); it is through beautiful native forest. The remaining terrain is very gently undulating. From Fox to Lake Paringa the road passes through lush rain forest of rimu and rata, flax filled swamps and past rugged hills. The many rivers become raging torrents after rain. With fine weather there will be superb views of Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps. Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge was established in 1989 by owners Anne Saunders and biologist Gerry McSweeney to help protect the rainforest and to share this extraordinary natural lakeside setting with visitors. Take a paddle in canoes on the lake which is stocked with trout or hike to Monro s beach to spot fur seals and (in season) penguins. There is also a complimentary daily guided programme including glow-worm walks and giant eel feeding. Day Seven: Lake Moeraki to Makarora (pop. 80) Haast to Pleasant Flat: Lake Moeraki to Pleasant Flat: Lake Moeraki to Makarora: cas. 49 km / 31 mi int. 78 km / 49 mi adv. 112 km / 70 mi Lake Wanaka s spectacular location at the foot of the Southern Alps with the wilderness of the Mt Aspiring National Park nearby makes it a magnet for outdoor lovers the world over. Queenstown: Around 1.9 million visitors are drawn to Queenstown each year to enjoy their own unforgettable travel experience. Visitors come to experience our awe-inspiring scenery, to search for adventure, to seek out relaxation and rejuvenation, or just to breathe our pure mountain air. Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world. Just south of Lake Moeraki, Knights Point affords excellent views of the rugged coastline where seals can often be seen basking in the sun. From Haast we head inland, following the Haast River towards the snow-capped peaks. The road over Haast Pass was not begun until 1929 and it took 31 years to complete the link between Haast and Wanaka townships. We pass innumerable waterfalls and much bird life, notably keas, fantails and bellbirds. After lunch the stiff climb through the Gates of Haast is negotiated before the gentle descent to tiny, isolated Makarora, a base for trampers (hikers) and the renowned Siberia Experience.

5 Page 5 Day Eight: Makarora to Wanaka Makarora to Hawea: int/adv. 66km / 41 mi cas. 50 km / 30 mi The country is now dramatically drier, dense bush giving way to open sheep paddocks. The road closely follows Lake Wanaka, crosses the Neck to Lake Hawea and then recrosses to Lake Wanaka. There are dramatic views of jagged, rocky mountains across the lake. Wanaka is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National park and several winter ski regions. Those with energy to spare may like to hike up Mt Iron for more panoramic views or visit Rippon Vineyard (Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling wines) for a more leisurely afternoon. Day Nine: Wanaka to Queenstown (pop.35,000) Wanaka to Cardrona Hotel: Wanaka to Q town via Crown Range: cas. 27 km / 17 mi 78 km / 49 mi Our route today takes us up the Crown Range, over the Cardrona Road. We climb through tussocky hills past the historic Cardrona Hotel; on reaching the top there will be amazing views of The Remarkables mountain range and Mt Cook, (also known in Maori as Aoraki meaning 'cloud piercer') at 3,754m 12,316 ft, is New Zealand s highest mountain. Mount Cook consists of three summits lying slightly south and east of the main divide, the Low Peak, Middle Peak and High Peak, with the Tasman Glacier to the east and the Hooker Glacier to the west. There are 27 other peaks in the Southern Alps over 3,050m high. which are stunning also. Visitors can enjoy 4WD safaris, boating on the glacier lakes, horse treks, fishing and mountain biking. There are numerous walks and hikes, including guided walks onto New Zealand s longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. Queenstown. The adjacent Pisa Range (1963m) features New Zealand s only Nordic ski-touring and snow-shoe trails. We descend the exhilarating hairpin bends down to Arrowtown, an attractive, well-preserved gold-mining village with quaint old cottages and avenues of elms. An easy flat ride beneath Coronet Peak, a winter ski field, takes us to Arthur's Point where we cross the Shotover River on our way to Queenstown. Look out for jet boats speeding through the narrow gorge. Surrounded by mountain peaks (including the famous Remarkables), and set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has much to offer. Day Ten: Queenstown Rest Day Options today include a jet boat or rafting trip on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, the steamer "Earnslaw" to visit a high country sheep station across Lake Wakatipu, the gondola cableway, Skippers canyon, a flight to Milford Sound (fiord), and much more. Queenstown also has an excellent botanical garden and a very good shopping centre. Day Eleven: Queenstown to Omarama: Lindis Pass to Omarama: Tarras to Omarama: Cromwell to Omarama: 173 km / 108 mi cas. 32 km / 20 mi int. 80 km / 50 mi adv. 111 km / 69 mi We drive from Queenstown to Cromwell, on Lake Dunstan a man-made lake formed on the Clutha River in 1992/3 as a result of the construction of the nearby Clyde dam. The region is known for stone fruit orchards and vineyards. We head for Lindis Pass (971m), with its huge sheep stations of 25 to 30,000 acres, passing former gold-mining sites. From the tiny settlement of Tarras the road climbs gently beside the Lindis River with its weeping willows. The summit affords sweeping views of Otago tussock country and a wonderful long descent to Omarama, known for fly fishing and gliding.

6 Page 6 Day Twelve: Omarama to Mt Cook Peter s Lookout to Mt Cook: Twizel to Mt Cook: Omarama to Mt Cook: cas. 44 km / 27.5mi int. 66 km / 41 mi adv km / 59 mi Mt. Cook, our next destination, should be visible before Twizel is reached (the town was built in 1968 as a temporary village to house dam and canal construction workers and has an interesting audio-visual display centre). The road to Twizel is flat and thereafter gently undulating as we climb towards Mt Cook (Aoraki), New Zealand s highest mountain (3,764m). The ride alongside Lake Pukaki will bring the spectacular Tasman Glacier and Mt. Cook village ever closer. A visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre in Mt Cook village is well worthwhile, as is the Department of Conservation (DOC) visitor centre. including the cheeky native parrot or kea. The day's ride starts near the outlet of Lake Pukaki and follows the Tekapo canal through the wide open, tussock spaces of the MacKenzie Basin. At Tekapo the church of the Good Shepherd's stained glass window is a photographic must. We ride down Burkes Pass passing colourful flora such as broom and lupins, (unfortunately unwanted, introduced species), as we ride to Fairlie, where we meet our farm hosts. Fairlie is a small town (pop. 725) providing services and goods for the surrounding agricultural region predominantly sheep farms. Day Fourteen: Fairlie to Christchurch: Cave turn off to Timaru: Fairlie to Timaru: cas. 36 km / 23 mi int./adv. 64 km / 40 mi Day Thirteen: Mt Cook to Fairlie: Tekapo to Fairlie: Lake outlet to Fairlie: adv. 148 km / 93 mi cas. 44 km / 28 mi int. 91 km / 57 mi Your hosts will show you their property and a little of their rural lifestyle and then we cycle along a very attractive quiet road through a gorge towards Cave. We visit a unique church made from river stones before the road sidles above the Pareora Gorge, following the main water route to Timaru. Approaching Timaru you will pass lifestyle blocks (small farms). To fully appreciate the beauty of the area we take a walk up the Hooker Valley to the Tasman Glacier s terminal moraine, the start of the trans-alpine Copland Track. Cross the river on a swing-bridge and see some of the unique flora and fauna, Twizel (known as the gateway to Aoraki/Mt Cook) is an alpine village in the heart of MacKenzie country. It is a fly fishing paradise with its many lakes and rivers brimming with world record trout and salmon. Here we take the Pedaltours minibus back to Christchurch for our farewell dinner. Day Fifteen: Christchurch It is here that we must say farewell, a safe journey home and hope to see you again. The waters of Lake Tekapo are a stunning turquoise blue colour. This is because, as the water flows from the glaciers in the Southern Alps, it contains powdered rock (glacial flour) which has been ground down by large amounts of ice. This gives the water this unique colour.

7 Page 7 Southern Alps 15 days / 14 nights What s included Mostly 3 and 4 star lodges 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 11 dinners Full minibus support Experienced guide/ cycle mechanic Pedaltours souvenir cycle jersey Daily route directions and coloured maps with profiles Thirty years of experience in offering guided cycle tours in New Zealand Day 2 (B, L, D) Wilderness Lodge, Arthur s Pass Nestled in mountain beech forest, at the base of the Southern Alps. Walk from your room into a natural paradise of tussock clearings, moss-lined streams and superb scenery. Route rating Moderate with 2 challenging days. The support vehicle is always available. Cycle as much or as little as you wish. Accommodation Meal Details B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner Key Bar Guest Laundry Gym Swimming Pool Internet Access Restaurant Spa Pool Sauna Day 1 (L, D) Chateau on the Park 189 Deans Ave, Riccarton, Christchurch Nestled in 5 acres of beautiful, tranquil gardens. Day 3 (B, L, D) Beachfront Hotel 111 Revell Street, Hokitika Only a stone s throw away from a stunning West Coast Beach and is close to the town s restaurants, cafés, shops and charming craft galleries. Pedaltours PO Box , Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand Toll free from US Toll free from Canada Ph

8 Page 8 Southern Alps 15 days / 14 nights Day 4 (B, L, D) Punga Grove Motor Lodge Franz Josef, Waiho Gorge, Westland Stylish boutique accommodation in the heart of Franz Joseph Glacier village. Nestled in a lush native rainforest 5 minutes walk to shops, cafes, bars and tour operators. Day 7 (B, L, D) Makarora Tourist Centre, Makarora A back to nature experience. Tucked in under Mt Shrimpton, with it s A frame accommodation borders the Mt Aspring World Heritage National park. Day 5 (B) Punga Grove Motor Lodge Day 6 (B, D) Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge Boutique luxury eco-lodge sits beside the Moeraki River, surrounded by towering rainforest near the pristine Tasman seacoast Day 8 (B) Te Wanaka Lodge 23 Brownston St, Wanaka Te Wanaka Lodge is a contemporary European-style 13-room Bed & Breakfast lodge, located in the heart of Wanaka Village. Pedaltours PO Box , Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand Toll free from US Toll free from Canada Ph

9 Page 9 Southern Alps 15 days / 14 nights Day 9 (B, D) Millennium Hotel 32 Frankton Road, Queenstown A year round resort near the shores of Lake Wakatipu and within walking distance of Queenstown s central shopping area. Day 12 (B, L, D) Mt Cook Lodge & Motel Mt Cook Village Phone (03) , The chalets offer self-contained accommodation with views of the Southern Alps. Chalet guests have full use of the Hermitage Hotel facilities. Day 10 Millennium Hotel (B) Day 11 (B, L, D) Heritage Gateway Hotel Omarama , Local trout fishing and gliding. Check out the local Omarama private outdoor hot tubs. Day 13 (B, D) Farm Stay Fairlie Four guests per host. Written details of your host and their property will be supplied by your guide. Should you not wish to stay in a farm stay please let us know and we ll arrange alternative accommodation. Day 14 (B, L, D) Chateau on the Park 189 Deans Ave, Riccarton, Christchurch , Day 15 Depart for home (B) Pedaltours PO Box , Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand Toll free from US Toll free from Canada Ph