Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Tour

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Tour is a guided, small-group e-bike journey for women, travelling from Christchurch to the foot of Aoraki/Mt Cook and on to the Pacific Ocean at Oamaru. Over five cycling days, riders pass turquoise lakes (Tekapo, Pukaki, Ohau, Benmore, Aviemore), high-country canals and dams, and finish through the limestone formations of Elephant Rocks and the Victorian precinct of Oamaru.

Terrain varies from wide open plains and sealed cycleways to 4WD tracks and remote backcountry trails, with one steady climb of around 300m and a couple of rougher off-road sections. A support vehicle is available throughout, so riders can skip any section that feels too challenging.

The tour finishes with a relaxed morning in Oamaru before the drive back to Christchurch.

Highlights:

• Ride beside Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo with Mt Cook and the Southern Alps as backdrop
• Cycle the Lake Benmore shoreline and Grade 2/3 Kurow section, one of the trail's newest highlights
• Visit the Clay Cliffs by van detour
• Explore the fossil-rich Elephant Rocks and Island Cliff limestone formations
• Finish at the Pacific Ocean in Oamaru's Victorian Historic Precinct
• Explore Oamaru's Steampunk heritage on the final relaxed morning

Surface and terrain:

Mix of gravel trail, 4WD track and sealed tarseal. Mostly Grade 2 (Easy) with two ~15km Grade 3 (Moderate) sections and one steady 300m climb.

Weather:

Tour dates run October to March, spanning NZ spring, summer and early autumn.

Suitable for:

Riders with basic e-bike experience and reasonable confidence; support vehicle available for skipping harder sections.