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  • A2O Plus

    A2O Plus

A2O Plus Overview

Take the scenic route on our 8 – 9 day A2O cycling itinerary. The A2O plus package allows you to explore the hidden gems of the trail one section per day.

If you are looking for a leisurely A2O cycling itinerary, then you have found your trip. Cycle one trail section per day from the foothills of the mighty Aoraki/Mt Cook all the way to the Pacific Ocean, taking the added time to explore the townships along the way. Let us take care of the hard bits while you sit back and pedal through the stunning scenery of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.

Select the map to view your start options – Mt Cook or Tekapo.

Trips operate between October – Mid May

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A2O Plus Itinerary

We recommend allowing a day of travel to get to Twizel from Christchurch or Queenstown.

If you have chosen the Mt Cook village start you can stay the night in Twizel OR take our 4:00pm shuttle to Mt Cook Village.

If you have chosen the Tekapo start, stay the night in Twizel and take our shuttle to the start point shown on day 3 of the itinerary. (You can disregard day 2).

If you choose to stay in Twizel the night before, you will need to take our early morning shuttle to Mt Cook Village.

Take a heli-flight over the Tasman River and enjoy breathtaking alpine views from above before joining up with the rest of the trail and cycling to Braemar Station.

Stay the night at Braemar Station (Subject to availability).

Cycle the golden tussock and lakeside trails through the Mackenzie Country and along Lake Pukaki to Twizel.

  • 42km cycle from Braemar Station to Twizel

Alternate Start Option

    • 54km cycle from Tekapo to Twizel *

* Note: If you are starting your ride from Tekapo, this will be your first day of cycling.

Stay the night in Twizel.

Cycle the sealed canal roads from Twizel to edge of Lake Ohau before following the dedicated lakeside cycle trail around to Lake Ohau Lodge.

Stay the night at Lake Ohau Lodge.

Cycle to the top of the Tarnbrae highpoint, overlooking Lake Ohau and the Mackenzie plains before heading downhill through the Quailburn. Take a 7km detour to the Clay Cliff rock formations if you have time, or relax in the wood fired Omarama Hot Tubs in town.

Spend the night in Omarama.

Today includes the newest section of the A2O, and in our opinion one of the most spectacular parts of the trail. You will pass through the small inlet at Sailors Cutting on Lake Benmore, which is a popular spot for boaties and good place to stop for a picnic.

Stay the night in Otematata.

One of the most scenic days on the trail, todays ride takes you along stunning backcountry roads of Lake Benmore, and Lake Aviemore. Take in the spectacular views of the Waitaki Valley from the top of the Benmore Dam and cycle through to Kurow – home of rugby legend Richie McCaw.

Stay the night in Kurow.

Follow the trail along the Waitaki River, passing through the vineyard just out of Kurow’s township (a great spot for a coffee stop!). After about 23km you will come to the Maori Rock art site before continuing on through the wetlands into Duntroon.

Depending on the accommodation available – spend the night in Duntroon or Rural Duntroon.

The cycling distance for today may vary from 28kms to 58kms, depending on your accommodation location. Whatever extra distance you cycle today will shorten your cycle distance tomorrow into Oamaru.

The final day on the trail will take you through sweeping farmlands, past the Elephant Rock formations and Rakis Railway Tunnel, and into the seaside town of Oamaru where the trail ends at Friendly Bay at the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a celebratory drink at Scott’s Brewery or explore Oamaru’s unique Victorian precinct.

Finish your journey here, or add an extra night’s accommodation in Oamaru.

Click to enlarge

8-9 days
7-8 cycling days

From

NZ $1626.00

per person

Trip inclusions

  • 7-8 nights accommodation
  • 6 meals*
  • Standard bike hire

Trip highlights

  • Helicopter flight*
  • Tarnbrae Highpoint
  • Sailors Cutting
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What’s Included

  • Standard bike hire for 7-8 days - including helmet and rear rack bag. Upgrades are available. (Own bike and gear is also an option)
  • Shuttle from Twizel to your Alps 2 Ocean Trail Start
  • Luggage Transfers (Max 15KG per bag)
  • 7-8 nights accommodation (Standard & Superior options available)
  • Mt Cook Village Start: 4 dinners, 5 breakfasts & 3 packed lunches
  • Tekapo Start: 3 dinners, 4 breakfasts & 2 packed lunches
  • Helicopter flight over the Tasman River is included with the Mt Cook start
  • Trip itinerary, directions and trail map info

Pricing

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Starting OptionAccommodation
Level		21/22 Price21/22 Peak Season Price**
Mt Cook to Oamaru (9 Days)
Inc. helicopter over Tasman River.		Standard Level$2028.00 pp$2128.00 pp
Superior Level *$2421.00 pp$2521.00 pp
Tekapo to Oamaru (8 Days)
Excludes night at Braemar & helicopter flight.		Standard Level $1626.00 pp$1726.00 pp
Superior Level *$1936.00 pp$2036.00 pp

Note: All pricing is based on twin share rooms. Please contact us for details about our single supplement rates.

* Superior Level Trip: The Alps 2 Ocean is situated in a remote area of New Zealand, and with that comes limited accommodation choices. Our Superior Upgrade offers a higher level of lodgings at locations where available. This is typically for 6 of the 8 nights of the trip.

** Peak Season Pricing (Trips starting in February, March & April 2022): Due to increasing popularity and limited accomodation availability on the trail during the peak of the season, it can take our reservations team considerably more time to source suitable accomodation and put together trip packages. A premium is applied for bookings made during this period. Our peak season dates are subject to change as the season draws nearer and accomodation availability becomes more limited outside of March.

Accommodation Levels

Standard accommodation is the perfect option for those looking for a clean, simple and comfortable way to enjoy their cycling holiday. Almost all locations will include ensuite facilities with the exception of rural Farmstays and Lodges.

  • Motels, B&Bs, Farmstay, Holiday Home
  • Private Room
  • Breakfast included if B&B
  • Our packaged trips include meals in rural locations
Standard Accommodation

Optional

E-Bike Upgrade

Riding an E-bike is a great way to enjoy the Alps to Ocean trail. Our E-bikes are equipped with the latest technology with a smooth electric motor to provide extra assistance whenever needed. They also come with a comfortable upright riding position. View bike

Add an E-bike to this trip for $350.00 – $400.00pp

Heli Flight Across the Tasman River

If you are starting your ride from Mt Cook Village, you will need to take a short 5 minute heli-flight to join up with the trail on the other side of the Tasman River (this is included in packaged trips).

If for any reason the heli-flight is cancelled, the helicopter company will communicate with our Twizel Depot and we will contact you directly to coordinate a shuttle to the best possible alternate starting point on the trail.

Staying the night at Braemar Station?

Braemar Station is a popular place for cyclists to stay along the trail and is located in a rural section between Mt Cook and Twizel. Due to road conditions and its isolated rural location, we do not transfer luggage to or from Braemar Station.

As an alternative to bag transfers, we rent out pannier bags for two days to those hiring our bikes and who stay the night at Braemar (this is included in the trip price above). You can leave your main luggage at our depot, which we will take to your accommodation location in Twizel.

Alternatively, if you are staying the night before in Mt Cook Village we can shuttle your main luggage back to Twizel for you the following day.

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