Alps 2 Ocean Itinerary Guide: which cycling trip is right for you?

Looking to cycle the famous Alps to Ocean trail but not sure where to start? We break down the different ways to ride this world-class New Zealand trail and the main considerations for each of our itineraries – from ideal fitness and cycling experience to various trail highlights.

What they all have in common though is they are fully supported and include accommodation, a support vehicle, experienced guides and most meals. E-bikes are also available for hire.

Alps to Ocean Classic

Start: Christchurch | Finish: Christchurch | Duration: 6 Days | Trip grading: Introductory to Moderate

Weaving through some of the most diverse and unique landscapes in NZ, there's no questioning why our 6-day Alps to Ocean Cycle is our most popular trip.

• Perhaps the most important thing to consider is how far you are comfortable riding. This trip is graded introductory to moderate and has an average cycling distance of 40km per day. The longest day is 80km from Twizel to Omarama although it can be shortened to 60km. You'll cycle every day on this 6-day trip.
• We start the trail from Tekapo Village, allowing us to shorten the first day's ride from 80km down to 30km, while still cycling what is arguably the most scenic spot along the trail along the edge of Lake Pukaki looking back to Aoraki/Mt Cook.
• Starting and ending in Christchurch makes getting here easy. Domestic and international flights fly regularly into Christchurch airport.
• We drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village on day 2 thanks to our support vehicle where you'll have the chance to swap your bike for walking shoes and explore the Hooker Valley or Tasman Glacier.
• Stay in comfortable and hand-picked accommodation including the elegant Waitaki Braids Lodge and the charming Burnside Homestead.

View the full trip itinerary >

Alps to Ocean End to End

Start: Queenstown | Finish: Christchurch | Duration: 7 Days | Trip grading: Moderate

We understand some people want to complete the full trail and enjoy a bit of a challenge, so we designed the Alps to Ocean End to End.

• The average cycling distance is 65km per day with two 80km days meaning you need to be comfortable riding on gravel surfaces for 6-8 hours per day, over 5 days.
• This itinerary covers the full 300-plus km trail from the official trail start at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village
• It includes a breathtaking heli-flight over the Tasman River with views of the snow-capped Southern Alps to join up with the trail on the other side.
• The Queenstown start means you have time to extend your stay and explore the adventure capital of NZ before your trip.
• On day one we have time to explore the walking trails of Aoraki/Mt Cook Village at your leisure, before staying the night in the village itself.
• Enjoy our handpicked and comfortable accommodation including at the working high-country Braemar Station that overlooks Lake Pukaki towards Aoraki/Mt Cook.
• You'll have views of the mighty Waitaki River from a private luxurious lotus belle ‘tent’ which is equipped with everything you need to feel at home at Valley Views Glamping – take a look inside this glamping paradise in this blog.

View the full trip itinerary >

E-Bike Alps to Ocean

Start: Christchurch | Finish: Christchurch | Duration: 3 Days | Trip grading: Introductory to Moderate

Our 6-day E-Bike Alps to Ocean is essentially the same as our Alps to Ocean Classic, but for e-bikers only (e-bikes are available on our other tours too). You can read more about whether an e-bike is for you in this article.

• You'll meet like-minded e-bikers and not have to worry about separating from the group.
• As a point of difference, we spend the last night in Oamaru at 'Poshtel' and drive back to where we ended our ride the previous day.
• Starting and ending in Christchurch makes getting here easy with domestic and international flights that fly regularly into Christchurch airport.

View the full trip itinerary >

Winter Alps to Ocean Cycle

Start: Christchurch | Finish: Christchurch | Duration: 6 Days | Trip grading: Introductory to Moderate

Our Winter Alps to Ocean Cycle is a special version of our 6-day itinerary with hot pools, mulled wine and warm fires thrown in.  

• Fresh, sunny days in winter are a delight with snow-capped mountains and crisp blue skies. It can be cold, and sometimes wet, but there's nothing that warm quality winter cycling gear can't fix. 
• Like our other tours, our support vehicle is never far away to take you to the comfort of a warm fire, hot pool or cosy accommodation. We also carry plenty of snacks, a never-ending hot drink supply and hot-water bottles. 
• Stay the night at the unique and cosy Lake Ohau Lodge and Enfield School. 
• Starting and ending in Christchurch makes getting here easy. Domestic and international flights fly regularly into Christchurch airport.

View the full trip itinerary >

South Island Triple Trails

Start: Christchurch | Finish: Christchurch | Duration: 15 Days | Trip grading: Moderate

Combine the famous Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail with two additional epic rides: the Otago Rail Trail, NZ's original 'Great Ride', and the remote and rugged West Coast Wilderness Trail.

Over two weeks you'll explore three of NZ's most scenic and diverse cycle trails for an all-encompassing South Island adventure.

• You'll begin with the Alps to Ocean trail near Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Cycle past the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, turquoise glacier-fed lakes and lush pastures dotted with sheep to end this trail at the small port of Oamaru on the Pacific Ocean.
• Get the chance to put your walking shoes on and take in the stunning glacier and mountain views from either the Sealey Tarns, the Hooker Valley Track or Tasman Glacier viewpoint.
• Then take a train ride on the scenic Taieri Gorge Railway from Dunedin to join New Zealand's original 'Great Ride' and the second of our trails, the Otago Central Rail Trail.
• Enjoy wine tasting at a Central Otago vineyard.
• Visit the world-famous Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier before heading to Ross and the start of our third and final cycle trail, the West Coast Wilderness.
• Experience the West Coast Treetop Walkway.
• While graded moderate, a support vehicle is never far so you have the flexibility to ‘cycle the best and drive the rest’. So if you're considering your first cycle holiday or who want to ride on a tougher trail, you can cycle as much or as little as you wish.
• Starting and ending in Christchurch makes getting here easy. Domestic and international flights fly regularly into Christchurch airport.

Watch our full Alps to Ocean video

Last updated 23 March 2022.