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$4,299

Per Person

NEW ZEALAND | Mountain Bike Tour

SOUTH ISLAND

Amazing riding, amazing scenery

Mountain Biking Hiking

Private Tours and Custom ToursSolos, Couples & Friends
Tour Offered: Jan, Feb, Dec
Departs On: Sunday

Duration: 7 Days
Lodging: Casual Inns
Fitness Level: 3-4
Technical Level: 3-5

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Overview

Queenstown is, far and away the Southern Hemisphere’s extreme sports Mecca. Conjuring a visit to Middle Earth, our Kiwi odyssey showcases the world-class mountain biking around New Zealand’s larger-than-life South Island. Dominated by the snowcapped Southern Alps, no less than 18-peaks over 9800-ft., crowned by Mount Cook at 12,316-ft, the rivers, beaches, fjords and trails render South Island wildly friendly to all manner of outdoor adventure enthusiasts. As one American mountain bike journalist noted, “You’ll have mountains as spectacular as The Sierras, but with an emerald lake in front of each one; and waterfalls cascading down each slope.”

An island nation of 3.8-million—1200-miles across The Tasman Sea from its next closest country—New Zealand consistently ranks in the top tier of quality of life, health and education studies.

Queenstown (pop 15,000), in particular, aspires to be the most cycle-friendly region in New Zealand. Suffice to say, we’re at one with their goal, stoked to do our part to support a community defined by this admirable vision. As such, we’ll wholeheartedly sample the extraordinary mountain biking throughout South Island. From glaciated mountains, distinct for their biodiversity, our South Island tour will traverse landscapes that change dramatically over relatively short distances and provide the most amazing mountain bike tour in the world.

Day 1-2: Meet in Christchurch. Heading north, to the alpine village of Hanmer Springs we ride forested singletrack. Unwind in the Hanmer thermal pools to closeout the day. Next day, ride the challenging Wharfedale Track. Layover in Arthur’s Pass National Park: amidst snowcapped peaks and clean-swept ravines of the Waimakariri River Valley.
Day 3-4: A relaxed drive to Craigieburn Forest taxies us to a ski resort; a half-day of rides. Shuttle to Geraldine: take in a night of small-town New Zealand. Ride over Dansey’s Pass, a high country tussock land in the Kakanui Mountains. A day of stellar singletrack concludes with dinner, then a relaxing night at a privately run bed and breakfast.
Day 5-6: Spend the day riding trails on the Lord of the Rings’ filming location: the “Land of Rohan”. Shuttle to the top of Dunstan Mountains for the epic Dunstan Traverse from Leaning Rock. Spend the night in the outdoor adventure mecca of Queenstown.
Day 7: Optional Heli-biking (a separate charge, based on the number of riders) or singletrack riding around Queenstown; wander around Queenstown, a handsome bayside community. Shuttle back to Christchurch.

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All-Inclusive Prices

All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of your tour. This means from the time we pick you up at our meeting point, until we drop you back off to head home, all transportation, food preparation, meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.) are included. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging) are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s). Trip price does not include airfare, lodging prior to trip start or bicycle rental and/or camping gear (if on a camping tour) unless otherwise noted on itinerary or website.

Renting Bicycles

Not only do we run an international bike tour business, but we also own and operate a premiere bicycle store – www.LasVegasCyclery.com. We have learned over the years that every cyclist is different and prefers different types of bikes for different types of terrain. That is why we offer the best bicycles for rent in the business. If for some reason you are not happy with the quality of your rental, we will refund the cost of your entire bike rental. If you are bringing your bike with you, check with your airline’s baggage policy in advance and be sure to pack your bike accordingly. If you are shipping your bike to your destination, confirm the address with our office and allow enough time for your bike to arrive. We’re happy to help you ship your bike. Whatever you need to get the most out of your tour, we are here to make it happen.

Free With Every Tour

When you join an Escape Adventures tour in 2026, you will receive a FREE custom sublimated Limited Edition Jersey!

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Why travel with Escape Adventures?

Our Commitment to You

For over 25 years, the hallmark of an Escape Adventures tour is personalized, hands-on service. Before, during, and after each trip. We are a company of honesty and integrity and we stand behind our product 100%. From the moment you learn of our trips, to the time you return home and start planning your next trip, we are here to bring you the best possible experience. From our Guaranteed Trip Departure Confirmation Policy, making sure your trip is never cancelled*, to our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Policy, backing the unrivaled consistent quality of all our tours, our commitment to you is never compromised. * Scheduled Domestic trips only.

Our Commitment to the Environment

Our environmental commitment is second to none. We run our tours the same way we run our company, with an eye on the triple bottom line: People, Profit & Planet. At Escape Adventures, we elected to pursue a more comprehensive approach to actually reduce our carbon footprint, rather than just offset it. We overhauled our entire operation — from our vehicles, to our buildings, to our procedures — to become an outdoor industry leader in the charge to help our people and our planet.

Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides

Leading tours naturally followed from our passion of exploring our favorite places with our friends. Our support staff includes our reservation team who is there to answer your questions about the tours, our service team who prepares your bike and gear for the tour, and our guide team – the ones who take you into the great outdoors. The highest level of responsibility, good nature, integrity, and dedication are standard traits of all those who work at Escape Adventures. We are proud of it and we think you should know it.

The Best Support Vehicles

Having custom-made vehicles allows us to take you to places few other outfitters can, or will go. Every Escape Adventures tour is accompanied by at least one support vehicle, trailer, and in some cases a second and third transfer van. After purchase, we custom engineer our trucks, vans, and trailers by our on-staff mechanic to meet the unique needs of different tours. For example, certain trucks are specifically designed for The White Rim and The Maze, while others are designed for The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Each of our guides is required to be trained in safe vehicle operation, 4X4 driving, and basic maintenance. Our experienced guides make it look easy, transporting you and up to 12 guests, along with their bikes, fresh food, and plenty of drinking water to a remote location.

The Best Bicycles and Gear

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle-free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Santa Cruz and Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our standards. All of our mountain bikes are equipped with full suspension frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have eMountainbikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.

The Best Food

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food is a big part of the Escape Adventures experience. Most dinners and breakfasts are served at local restaurants on our inn tours. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.

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