A guided tour of New Zealand’s vast countryside on a bike is the ultimate outdoor vacation experience. Avid cyclists of all ages, fitness and skill levels are welcome to explore the great outdoors on a rugged mountain bike. The tour provides an ideal opportunity for avid outdoorsmen (and women!) to push themselves to the limits of their endurance and test out their survival skills in real world situations.
Unspoiled by pollution or mass urbanization, much of New Zealand is still a vast, untouched wilderness of open pastures, craggy mountains, shimmering lakes and majestic glaciers. Needless to say there are plenty of places to explore on a mountain biking. Many cyclists enjoy the challenge of venturing into a remote back country trail that takes them into a hidden world of secluded beauty and isolation. Each bike tour allows for plenty of breaks for riders to catch their breath and also to explore and appreciate the beauty of their surroundings.
All tours are lead by an experienced guide who will make sure the entire group is safe and happy throughout the long journey. Depending on the circuit, tours can cover anywhere from 300 to 1,300 kilometres and last from 5 days to two weeks. Accommodation and dining considerations are taken care of; riders will find warm beds and delicious meals waiting for them at various stops on the road. Food, accommodation, bikes and cycling equipment are all inclusive. Each tour length can be adjusted depending on the ability and experience of the rider, and extra arrangements can be made for riders with special needs.
Tours are available throughout New Zealand, in both the North and South Islands. Here are a few of the more popular ones:
The Weka – This is one of the most popular South Island rides. Hugging the coastal roads of the South Island’s rugged West Coast, the Weka tour sticks closely to the historic Otago Rail Trail. A challenging 13 day mixed terrain tour, the Weka gives cyclists the chance to put their mountain and road biking skills to the ultimate test. A physically demanding journey, riders doing the Weka can expect to cover 950 kilometres in a loop around the South Island. A support vehicle is available throughout the entire trip for any cyclist who wants to take a break.
Deep South Ride – A mammoth trek that encompasses the whole of the South Island, the Deep South Ride covers 1,345 kilometres and requires 14 days to complete. The tour takes riders from Christchurch to Queenstown and beyond, before bringing them back to Christchurch. Along the way riders will be treated to the incredible scenes of towering mountains, massive glaciers, pristine lakes, incredible beaches and lush forests.
Deep South Ride – Another challenging circuit, the Deep South Ride takes cyclists on a two week tour of the South Island. Beginning at Christchurch, the Deep South Ride blazes a picturesque trail through the Island’s rugged West Coast all the way down to Queenstown and Fiordland National Park before winding its way up the Southern Alps back to Christchurch. The tour covers an impressive 1,345 kilometres on bike, although riders always have the option of completing parts of the journey in the support vehicle.
Active New Zealand Bike tours offer several different tour options to suit your ability. You will be sure to have a sweet time with their kiwi hosts on your New Zealand adventure. So check out Active New Zealand cycle tours and book your trip now.
