Excursion Alps-to-ocean bicycle trail tour at Timaru

Experience the lakes and mountains of the Southern Alps in a unique new way during this scenic and invigorating, full-day bicycle excursion.

Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately, 1.5-hour drive to Lake Tekapo, a turquoise glacier-lake with a stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps at its head. After a brief photo stop here, continue on to Lake Pukaki, the starting-point for your bicycle tour. After receiving your safety and riding instructions, you are fitted for your mountain bike, helmet and safety vest prior to getting started.

Mount Cook Salmon Farm, Tekapo Hydro Canal, Southern Alps, Mackenzie Basin

Your cycling route begins near the Mount Cook Salmon Farm, where you may see salmon feeding. The trail (a mixture of sealed paths and gravel track) runs alongside the Tekapo Hydro Canal, and follows it downhill and along the edge of Lake Pukaki. Whilst riding along the lake shoreline, take in stunning panoramic vistas of the Southern Alps, Lake Pukaki and Mackenzie Basin.

Mount Cook, Picnic-Style Lunch

Upon reaching the head of Lake Pukaki and end of your trail, take in spectacular views of Aoraki Mount Cook (weather-permitting). Here, a stop is made for a picnic-style lunch, hot/cold drinks and complimentary wine/beer, or perhaps even some fresh salmon from the shop. After lunch, re-board your coach and commence the approximately two-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook Salmon Farm, Tekapo Hydro Canal, Southern Alps, Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki (Mount Cook), Picnic-Style Lunch

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of bicycling for approximately 13 miles (22 km) and a minimal amount of walking, at times over uneven, natural, and dirt surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and bicycles, and at the sites visited. Walking at Lake Pukaki is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is recommended for active guests who are in good physical condition, and able to ride a bicycle for long distances, and over uneven, natural and dirt surfaces. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, closed-toe walking or sport shoes, and bring sun protection, a weatherproof jacket, change of clothing, and a towel from the ship; open-toe shoes are prohibited on this tour. Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Safety helmets are provided, and must be worn the entire time whilst bicycling. Guests must have cycling / dirt trail experience. Guests weighing over 253 pounds (about 115 kilograms) cannot participate on this tour. From six miles (about 9.6 kilometres) onwards, guests have the option to stop cycling at any point and continue on in the support vehicle. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. The tour sequence may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. The coach supply in Timaru is very limited, coaches used are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of larger New Zealand ports.