Tandems
East
Adventure
South
Experience 12/30/11 to 1/18/12
Leaving
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) 12/30/2011
New
Zealand 2012
Starting
out of Queenstown, this itinerary takes us across the rolling
plains of Southland before an overnight on the remote and
magical Milford Sound with its spectacular glaciated walls and
rainforests. Dipping southwards on very quiet roads edging onto
the Fiordland National Park, we stay on a local farm before
cycling along the windswept southern coast. We take a day off
the bikes to explore remote Stewart Island, with an option to
sea-kayak into beautiful bays & inlets surrounded by untouched
natural forest. We then tour the Catlins Coast, known for its
beautiful beaches and exotic wildlife before turning north for a
rest day Dunedin, with its rich Scottish history.
Cycling along the Pacific coast we travel to Oamaru where we
visit a penguin colony and the Old Quarter built from the local
Oamaru stone. We head inland via the Waitaki Valley and enter
the lake district of Southern Canterbury staying at the remote
Lake Ohau before visiting New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt.
Cook nestled under the Southern Alps. From here we travel to
Fairlie, staying with a local farming family before our final
two days in the garden city of Christchurch.
a diverse 18 day tour that explores
quiet roads seldom cycled by others
Cycle alongside Lake Wakitipu as
you head towards Te Anau on the edge of the Fiordland
National Park
spend a night in luxury on board
the Milford Mariner boat, complete with private room &
en-suite, amongst the mystical night-time beauty of Milford
Sound.
spend two nights with some “Kiwi”
farmers, enjoy their down to earth hospitality and take a
private tour of their farms.
cycle alongside the little visited
and rugged coastline of the deep south, blasted by winter
Antarctic storms
visit remote Stewart Island, known
for its birdlife, marinelife & untouched native forest
discover the magic of the Catlins
Coast with its beautiful bays and exotic wildlife
we picnic on the beach at
beautiful Curio Bay, home to an ancient petrified forest,
fur seals, rare Hectors Dolphins & Yellow-Eyed Penguins.
on the rest day in Dunedin we
have an option to visit an Albatross & a Yellow-eyed Penguin
colony at the heads of the beautiful Otago peninsula
walk through Oamaru’s
historic old quarter made from local limestone.
take a hike to view the 26km
long Tasman Glacier in the Mt Cook National Park.
spend two nights in
Christchurch, known as the Garden City it is renowned as the
most English city outside of England
enjoy a final spectacular
ride along the Port Hills above the city with magnificent
views of the Southern Alps, the Canterbury Plains, the city,
the Pacific Ocean & Lyttleton harbor.
Quotes
from previous T.E.A.S.E. tours
“ The tour was all we expected
and more – we will be back!” …(and they were in 2008, 2010 & now
2012!) - Mel & Barbara Kornbluh, Tour Organizers, Tandems East,
2006.
“The air is fresh, the water is excellent and the scenery is
fabulous. Tim & Helen were always positive and encouraging to
us, very competent, knowledgeable and fun tour guides” – Geri &
John Stanton, 2006 .(…they also came back in 2008!)
“Adventure South did a great job of incorporating the ‘best of
the best” on this tour. The guides were fantastic,
knowledgeable, patient, available and with a great sense of
humour. Combined with the amazing scenery & culture it makes for
a wonderful tour experience.” – Judy Knudson, Jan 2008. “I want to praise the guides who
always made us feel like we were the most important group they
have ever had, we felt like we were truly immersed in New
Zealand.” – Carol Anderson, Jan 2008
“Rob and I have fond memories of our New Zealand trip with
Tandems East and Adventure South. Thanks for the routes, the
accommodations, and the support. New Zealand is, indeed, an
exciting country.” – Rob & Nancy Welsh, Tease 2010 "A wonderful experience,
excellent fun, great camaraderie and a magical country. The
whole trip was fantastic." - John & Arienne Cripps, Tease 2010.
Daily Tour Notes (included meals, B =
breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Day 1 -
Sunday – 1/1/012 - Queenstown We will meet the group from your
morning flight and deliver you to our hotel. Over a working
lunch your guides will host a briefing giving you an overview of
the trip and the operational issues that may arise. It’s then
time to assemble your bikes and if you have the energy after
your travels we will take you for a short local warm-up ride
before we meet for our first dinner together. (L,D) Cycling Distance – Queenstown to
Arrowtown Return - 40kms/25 miles (Shorter one way option available.)
Accommodation – Scenic Circle Aurum Hotel & Suites
27 Stanley St, Queenstown P: 0064_ 3 442 4718 F: 0064 3 442
4715 E: reservations@scenic-circle.co.nz W:
www.scenic-circle.co.nz
Day 2 –
Monday – 1/2/12 - Queenstown Today
we take a scenic but challenging (lots of hills) morning ride
along the shores of Lake Wakitipu to the small village of
Glenorchy for lunch. We drive back to Queenstown in the early
afternoon to allow some time for you to explore this exciting
town. If you are still a little jet lagged you are welcome to
rest up for the day & enjoy what Queenstown has to offer or you
may want to take the opportunity to fly to magnificent Milford
Sound. (B,L) Cycling Distance – Queenstown to
Glenorchy – 46 kms/28.5 miles
Accommodation – – Scenic Circle Aurum Hotel & Suites
Day 3 – Tuesday – 1/3/12 -
Queenstown to Te Anau An early morning start gets us on the
road down the side of Lake Wakatipu and the rolling rural roads
of upper Southland. The native red tussock covered hills lead us
into the township of Te Anau, perched on the edge of the
Fiordland National Park. Stronger riders can be challenged by
the possibility of a century ride today, for the rest the sag
wagon is always available (B, L, D) Cycling Distance – 176 kms/109 miles Shorter Option – Queenstown to Five
Rivers – 99kms/60 miles
Day 4 –
Wednesday – 1/4/12 - Te Anau to Milford Sound After the strenuous ride yesterday we
have an optional easy 30 mile local loop ride this morning. In
the afternoon we leave our bikes behind to travel into beautiful
Milford Sound enjoying some short hikes into the rainforest
along the way. At Milford Sound we board
the luxurious boat that will be our home for the night. We
cruise out into the beautiful Milford Sound, with opportunities
to go kayaking or on a nature tour to meet some dolphins & fur
seals. We then relax into an evening of entertainment, fine food
& comfortable sleep in your private cabins. In the heart of the
wilderness of the Fiordland National Park we are constantly
surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains, the sunset is
superb. (B,L,D) Optional Cycling Distance – 50 kms/30
miles
Day 5 –
Thursday – 1/5/12 - Manapouri to Otautau After a great on-board breakfast our
boat returns us to shore and we drive back to Manapouri and our
waiting bicycles. Today’s ride takes us through an ever-changing
landscape. The stark arid mountains give way to more gentle
pastures as we enter the productive Southland farm country. At
Otautau we are met by our “Kiwi” farmer hosts who will take you
back to their homes to enjoy some on the farm hospitality. A
farm tour is included as part of your experience (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – 96 kms/ 59 miles
Day 6 –
Friday – 1/6/12 - Otautau to Invercargill/Stewart Island The road heads further south through
rural farmland and beech-forests. Small communities dot the
landscape and the coastal riding becomes spectacular. This coast
is exposed to southerly blasts creating some surreal windswept
scenery.
Gradually
we quit the farmlands as we approach Invercargill, NZ’s southern
most city, from where we will take the short ferry journey to
Stewart Island. (B,D) Cycling Distance – 110 kms/68 miles
Day 7 –
Saturday – 1/7/12 – Stewart Island free day Known as the land of the glowing
skies the island is part of the Rakiura National Park, providing
some wonderful hiking, bird watching (here is one of the few
places in New Zealand where you can see Kiwis in the wild) &
kayaking opportunities. We are based in the small village of
Oban surrounded by densely forested hills descending to a
coastline of rocky outcrops & creamy golden beaches. (B,L)
Accommodation – Bay Motel
Day 8 -
Sunday – 1/8/12 - Stewart Island/Invercargill to McLeans Falls An early morning ferry takes us
across Foveaux Strait to Bluff. The cycling route today skirts
the beautiful and undiscovered Catlins Forest Park and
coastline. The roads are
quiet and the scenery diverse as the coastline increasingly
becomes spectacular. The ride detours to beautiful Curio Bay
where we enjoy a leisurely picnic by the sea, walks along the
beach, a swim for the brave & a visit to a petrified forest on
the shore. If you are lucky you will see rare Hectors Dolphins,
Fur Seals & Yellow Eyed Penguins. Late afternoon you have the
option to cycle the final 33kms to our lodge or drive in the
support vehicles. (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – 120 kms/75 miles
Day 9
–Monday– 1/9/12 – McLeans Falls to Kaka Point A short walk to visit the magnificent
McLeans Falls is highly recommended this morning. More scenic
cycling along quiet roads today as we continue along the Catlins
coast. The cycling is tough with some serious climbs but the
rewarding views of the coastline make the effort well worth it.
On the way we have options to visit the Cathedral Caves or to
walk to one of the areas many beautiful waterfalls. Another
picnic by the sea gives us the chance for a beach walk before
continuing on to Kaka Point. In the afternoon we drive to to
Surat Bay to walk amongst the resident sea lions. (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – McLeans Falls to
Kaka Point– 62 kms/38 miles
Day 10 –
Tuesday – 1/10/12 – Kaka Point to Dunedin In the
morning we drive out to view the fantastic rock formations at
Nugget Point, before cycling to Balclutha. To avoid a busy
highway section we then load the bikes & drive to the mouth of
the Taieri River from where we enjoy a very beautiful coastal
ride into Dunedin. (B, L,D) Cycling Distance –Kaka Point to
Balclutha – 33kms/20miles Taieri Mouth to Dunedin 25kms/15.5
miles
Day
11 – Wednesday – 1/11/12 – Dunedin free day Today is a chance to rest those weary
legs & enjoy exploring Dunedin, with its rich Scottish history.
The local Speights Brewery or Cadbury Chocolate Factory tours
will appeal to some; lunch at Larnachs castle or the wonderful
train ride on the Taieri Gorge Express are other options. If the
wind is up in the early evening your guides will take you out to
the Albatross colony at Tairoa heads, where you will see these
amazing birds soaring at close hand. For those who like to ride,
there is a wonderful loop ride out to the Tairoa Heads & back to
Dunedin. (B) Optional Cycling Distance – Dunedin
to Tairoa Heads loop – 70kms /43 miles
Accommodation - Alhambra Oaks Motor Lodge
Day 12 –
Thursday – 1/12/12 - Dunedin to Oamaru You have the
option to cycle (via the challenging North East Valley) Road or
drive out of the city to Evansdale from where we start cycling
on a quiet coastal road to the Karitane estuary. The route
crosses the main road as we travel north over Tree Trunk Gorge
to the Moeraki coastline. Here we will have a chance to view the
famous local round boulders on the beach before heading into
Oamaru’s historic old quarter via a road so coastal you almost
feel that you are cycling in the ocean. (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – Dunedin to to
Oamaru – 121 kms/76 miles Shorter Option –Evansdale to
Karitane, Palmerston to Moeraki & Waianakrua to Oamaru –
64kms/27 miles
Day 13 –Friday – 1/13/12 -
Oamaru to Lake Ohau Today is all about rivers and lakes
as we travel up the Waitaki River famed as a source of hydro
electricity. Along the way we pass several dams & pretty
man-made lakes before we ride into Omarama, known as the gliding
capital of the world. We then cycle alongside the natural and
beautiful Lake Ohau to our lodge nestled at the base of the
mountains. (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – Oamaru to Lake
Ohau - 143kms/89miles Shorter Option – Duntroon to Lake
Ohau - 87kms/53 miles
Day 14 –
Saturday – 1/14/12 – Lake Ohau to Mount Cook Our ride
today takes us alongside the glacial blue Lake Pukaki & into the
heart of the Mt Cook National Park, the climbing on the cycle is
gradual but steady as the magnificent Mt Cook looms larger &
larger ahead of you. There are opportunities for flight-seeing
amongst New Zealand tallest mountains or to go for local short
hikes. Late afternoon we will go for a hike to view spectacular
Tasman Glacier in the evening light. (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – Ohau to Mt Cook -
100kms/62 m Shorter
Option –Twizel to Mt Cook - 55kms/34 miles
Day 15 – Sunday – 1/15/12 –
Mt Cook to Fairlie For those that want to
cover miles the prospect of the gentle downhill as we retrace
our steps out of Mt Cook will appeal, for the rest we will drive
back down the lake to start riding on a very quiet canal road
towards Tekapo. We descend from the arid high country into the
farmlands of the Canterbury plains and at Fairlie we meet our
hosts who will welcome you into their homes and give you a short
tour of their farms. (B,D) Cycling Distance –Mt Cook to Fairlie -
151kms/89miles
Shorter Option –- 92kms/57 miles
Day 16 –
Monday – 1/16/12 – Fairlie to Christchurch Today we
enjoy an easy ride through pleasant farmland to the coastal town
of Timaru. On the way we visit an historic church made without
nails using the local river stones. After a relaxing pub lunch
we drive to Christchurch, our base for the last two nights.
(B,L)
Cycling Distance – 67kms/42 miles
Day 17 –
Tuesday - 1/17/12 - Christchurch This morning
we ride on loop out of the city and over the Port Hills with
their amazing views of the city, the Pacific Ocean & across the
plains to the Southern Alps. After coffee on the beach at Sumner
we return to the city & a free afternoon. Time to pack your
bikes at our depot & catch up on some last minute shopping.
Tonight’s final dinner is a chance to celebrate and reflect on
the travels of the last two and a half weeks. (B,D) Cycling Distance – 41kms/25 miles
Accommodation – Chateau on the Park
Day 18 –
Wednesday– 1/18/12 - Christchurch Its time for a sad farewell as your
tour ends after breakfast - we are available to transport the
group out to the airport. (B)
Price for
the 2012 New Zealand Tandems East
- Adventure South Experience
only US $4200.00 per person
(not including airfare. For group rate airfare book with Tandems
East) (price is valid until 6/30/2011)
What's Included
17
nights/18 days
Two Adventure South
guide/mechanics
Two support vehicles
Specialized luggage trailers with
racks capable of safely carrying tandems
17 breakfasts/13 lunches/13
dinners
Milford Mariner overnight boat
return ferry to/from Stewart
Island
2 farmstays
hikes as indicated & National
Park fees
wine on final meal
airport transfers for the group
What's Not Included
drinks with meals (except water,
tea/coffee)
all activities as mentioned
on the itinerary are optional extras
freight of bike boxes between
Queenstown & Christchurch
See You In New Zealand in
2012 -Mel, Barbara & the Adventure
South Team
Today
we take a scenic but challenging (lots of hills) morning ride
along the shores of Lake Wakitipu to the small village of
Glenorchy for lunch. We drive back to Queenstown in the early
afternoon to allow some time for you to explore this exciting
town. If you are still a little jet lagged you are welcome to
rest up for the day & enjoy what Queenstown has to offer or you
may want to take the opportunity to fly to magnificent Milford
Sound. (B,L)
Gradually
we quit the farmlands as we approach Invercargill, NZ’s southern
most city, from where we will take the short ferry journey to
Stewart Island. (B,D)
quiet and the scenery diverse as the coastline increasingly
becomes spectacular. The ride detours to beautiful Curio Bay
where we enjoy a leisurely picnic by the sea, walks along the
beach, a swim for the brave & a visit to a petrified forest on
the shore. If you are lucky you will see rare Hectors Dolphins,
Fur Seals & Yellow Eyed Penguins. Late afternoon you have the
option to cycle the final 33kms to our lodge or drive in the
support vehicles. (B,L,D)
Day
11 – Wednesday – 1/11/12 – Dunedin free day
