Hot Pools, Passes & Rainforests

5 days (Christchurch)

Destinations visited: New Zealand, Christchurch, World

Grading:

Moderate to Challenging level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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A five day cycle tour through some of the South Island's stunning rainforests, over passes and soaking in hot pools!

If you're short on time and want to experience one of the best coastal bike rides in the world, then this cycling trip is for you! From Christchurch on the east coast we cross the main divide as we explore the South Island's west coast and finish back in Christchurch.

Highlights

5 days of cycling adventure, riding up to 100km a day with full vehicle support
Soak and relax in the hot pools of Hanmer Springs and Maruia Springs as you cross the Main Divide
Visit the West Coast mining town of Reefton and onto the might Buller River
Enjoy one of the best coastal rides in the world dropping into the wild Tasman ocean
Marvel at the unique Pancake Rocks on the West Coast whilst enjoying the comfort of the new hotel on the coastline
Finish cycling in Greymouth and return to Christchurch on the memorable TranzAlpine Express via the spectacular Waimakariri Gorge and Arthur's Pass National park

Itinerary

Day 1 Christchurch

Important: The night before your tour is to depart your guide will call your pre tour accommodation to advise what time they will collect you the following morning. (Please make sure you have given us information as to where you are staying). If you are not around when your guide calls they will leave a message at reception – its really important that you check with reception if you have not heard from your guide directly. If for any reason you have not heard from your guide by the morning of the tour please call us in the NZ office on 0800 00 11 66 (from within NZ). At lunchtime we meet at our depot for a ‘working lunch’. Our Guides will facilitate the trip briefing and introductions. They will give you a full understanding of the itinerary, terrain and any operational issues we need to deal with. This is the time to fit your bikes before we turn some pedals on a warm-up ride on the outskirts of Christchurch, providing wonderful views of the Southern Alps. Ride – 42km/27 miles

Day 2 Christchurch to Hanmer Springs

From our morning meeting in Christchurch we drive out of the city and start to cycle. The Canterbury Plains are vast and with Hanmer being our objective it's a matter of turning the pedals and watching the road slip by. By late afternoon we arrive at the thermal resort and a chance to soak in the hot pools before dinner. Ride – 103kms/64 miles

Day 3 Hanmer Springs to Reefton

The road over Lewis Pass takes us up through the beech forests of the Southern Alps steadily gaining height in the Maruia valley. From the head of the valley there is a short grind to the summit of the Pass and the chance to look into Cannibal Gorge before a freewheel down to the second thermal resort of the tour at Maruia Springs with its Japanese bathhouse and outdoor pools. Continuing onwards we climb over Rahu Saddle for a final descent into the west coast mining town of Reefton. Ride - 141kms/87 miles Suggested Shorter Option – Boyle River to Reefton – 86kms/54 miles

Day 4 Reefton to Punakaiki

The ride from Reefton takes us out to the mighty Buller River and down to the junction with the State Highway 6 where we turn south to Punakaiki and the start of one of the best coastal rides in the world. The road hugs the eroded limestone cliffs which drop into the wild Tasman sea. Our accommodation has the added delight of exploring the famous Pancake Rocks and the limestone wonderland of the area. Ride - 125kms/78 miles Suggested Shorter Option – Inangahua to Punakaiki – 90 kms/56 miles.

Day 5 Punakaiki to Greymouth, TranzAlpine back to Christchurch

Southwards again the coastal ride today is again spectacular as the road hugs the coast with its many river mouths and bush slopes. Gradually the land opens up and the rural scenery intensifies as we reach Greymouth and the Grey River. From here we board the unforgettable TranzAlpine Express train and travel back to Christchurch through the spectacular Waimakariri Gorge and lush forests of Arthur's Pass National Park. Ride - 46kms/28 miles

Additional Information

Inclusions

All breakfasts (excluding day 1), 5 lunches, and 2 evening meals
TranzAlpine train from Greymouth back to Christchurch
A great guide and transport
A Trek 7300 or 7500 bike with helmet and small pannier bags
5 nights accommodation as detailed based on a twin share basis with private bathroom facilities
Access and Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
NZ Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Summary

4 nights motel/hotel accommodation

Trip Main Activities

5 day cycle tour

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

The accommodation for this trip has been carefully selected to provide comfort and value in the best locations possible. The accommodation is on a twin share or double room basis with private facilities. If you wish to reserve a room to yourself a single supplement is available at extra cost. Please note: although every endeavour is made to stay at the accommodation detailed in the itinerary, occasionally, due to seasonal shortages, we need to use other accommodation of a similar standard.

Equipment Required

What You Carry

Your Trek 7300 or Trek 7500 bike will be equipped with a helmet, water bottle and a small front and rear pannier bag. Each have enough space for your jumper, camera, wallet etc

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

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USD$1,520

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