Trip Price and Notes

Ora | Bike

Full itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Nelson

Meet at a local hotel for welcome and introductions.

Time to visit the local bike shop to sort out bikes and gear. Get set up for the upcoming adventure.

Meals: D

Accommodation: 1st night Nelson

Day 2 | Copper Mine Trail

A Nelson classic. Follow the old train line up through beech forest to the tops for fantastic views of the Richmond Ranges and wider Tasman regions. A descent via the Maitai, looping back to Nelson.

Distance: 48 km | 30 miles loop

Climb: 1353 m | 4439 feet

Descent: 1309m | 4295 feet

Ride Time: 6 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 2nd night Nelson

Day 3 | Old Ghost Road | Day 1 of 3

The Old Ghost Road {Ghostie} is a NZ classic. Riding doesn’t come any better than this for multi-day backcountry trail riding. We take the old miner’s trail through beech forest, over the Big Slips, past old mining relics along NZs longest single track.

Distance: 18 km | 11 miles

Climb: 853 m | 2799 feet

Descent: 76 m | 250 feet

Ride Time: 3 - 4 hours

Drive: 2 hours | 153 km | 95 miles

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 1st night on the OGR, Lyell Saddle Hut

Day 4 | Old Ghost Road | Day 2 of 3

We continue along the tops with views of Kahurangi National Park, past Ghost Lake. Now start some epic descents, interspersed with a sneaky ascent through the Boneyard. We’re in West Coast rainforest for the descent.

Distance: 50 km | 31 miles

Climb: 965 m | 3166 feet

Descent: 855 m | 2805 feet

Ride Time: 6 - 8 hours

Drive: none

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 2nd night on the OGR, Specimen Point Hut

Day 5 | Old Ghost Road | Day 3 of 3

We continue through the spectacular Mokihinui Gorge to the Mokihinui Trail Head. Drive along the Wild West Coast via the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki. Stop in a town for supplies before crossing Arthurs Pass on the journey on to Mount White Station.

Distance: 17 km | 10.6 miles

Climb: 80 m | 262 feet

Descent: 212 m | 695 feet

Ride Time: 2 hours

Drive: 4 hours 45 minutes | 295 km | 183 miles

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 1st night Mount White Station, Shearers Quarters (exclusive use)

Day 6 | Mount White Station

Set amidst the towering peaks of the greywacke with their tumbling scree slopes and barren cloaks, the 40,000 hectare high country station is our playground today. We’ll design a ride to suit.

Distance: upto 80 km | upto 55 miles

Climb: depends on ride

Descent: depends on ride

Ride Time: depends on ride

Drive: none

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 2nd night Mount White Station, Shearers Quarters (exclusive use)

Day 7 | Alps to Ocean | Section 3 Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge

We cherry-pick the best bits of the longest Great Ride in New Zealand. Today’s section follows the canals of the Waitaki hydro-power scheme, before skirting the shores of Lake Ohau. Option to do a shorter ride or have a day off.

Distance: 38 km | 24 miles

Climb: 254 m | 833 feet

Descent: 162 m | 533 feet

Ride Time: 3 - 4 hours

Drive: 5 hours 15 minutes | 316 km | 196 miles

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 1st night Lake Ohau Lodge

Day 8 | Alps to Ocean | Section 4 Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama

Another cherry-pick of the best bits. Today’s section reaches the hight point of the track, before an epic descent to the rural Quailburn Road. Time for a drink in Omarama in the presence of the merino sheep stations.

Distance: 43 km | 27 miles

Climb: 705 m | 2313 feet

Descent: 773 m | 2536 feet

Ride Time: 4 - 5 hours

Drive: 30 minutes | 40 km | 25 miles

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 2nd night Lake Ohau Lodge

Day 9 | Alps to Ocean |Section 5 Sailors Cutting to Benmore Hydro Dam

Today’s section is a scenic gem, undulating the rocky outcrops on the shores of Lake Benmore. A classic drive over the Lindis Pass to everybody’s favourite town - Wanaka

Distance: 17 km | 10.6 miles

Climb: 483 m | 1585 feet

Descent: 463 m | 1519 feet

Ride Time: 2 hours

Drive: 1 hour 45 minutes | 141 km | 88 miles

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 1st night Wanaka

Day 10 | Cardrona Alpine Resort

Time for some downhill fun. Cardrona is one of NZs premier bike parks with the facility to transport your bike on the lifts up and then enjoy the curated descents. A variety of trails to suit all levels.

Distance: of your choice

Climb: of your choice

Descent: of your choice

Ride Time: of your choice

Drive: 45 minutes each way | 38 km each way | 24 miles each way

Meals: B,L

Accommodation: 2nd night Wanaka

Day 11 | Otago Central Rail Trail | Lauder to Clyde

This is the original Great Ride that started NZs bike mania and opened up our scenery to exploration by bike. With lattes on hand! Because this is a rail trail, gradients are gentle.

Distance: 43 km | 27 miles

Climb: 70 m | 230 feet

Descent: 233 m | 764 feet

Ride Time: 4 - 5 hours

Drive: 1 hour 15 minutes | 112 km |70 miles

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: 1st night Clyde

Day 12 | Otago Central Rail Trail | Ranfurly to Lauder

There is plenty of historic interest and character settlements to complement the big skies and rocky ranges of ‘Central’s’ unique landscapes.

Distance: 48 km | 30 miles

Climb: 257 m | 843 feet

Descent: 311 m | 1020