• TIMEFRAME

  • 6 Days
  • 5 Nights Accommodation

  • OVERVIEW

  • 5 cycling days
  • Aoraki to Oamaru

  • MEALS

  • 5 Breakfasts
  • 4 Lunches
  • 3 Dinners

  • LUGGAGE

  • Daily transfers
  • 1 x 15kg bag pp
  • Door to door

Own Bike

$1,970

*includes helicopter flight

Crossway

$2,180

*includes helicopter flight

E-Bike

$2,455

*includes helicopter flight

ALPS 2 OCEAN CYCLE TRAIL

6 Day Escape

The Escape, like the Discovery, has 5 cycling days. The main differences are in the locations you stay and the distances you cycle. With this option you will stay at Braemar Station, a working station, farming perendale sheep, beef cattle and deer with vast and spectacular views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the Southern Alps and Lake Pukaki. You will also stay in Otematata, where campers flock to in summer to make the most of the lakeside location and spectacular landscapes. Duntroon is another spot where you’ll stay, with a great mix of natural and cultural wonders waiting to be explored with incredible geological formations and sites unlike anything else.

All of this with friendly support provided along the way, should you need it. The Escape begins from the official start point at Aoraki/Mount Cook. This experience has flexible start dates to suit your needs.

What’s Included

  • Transfer from our depot in Omarama to your designated starting point of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

  • Cycle hire – Merida Crossway 100 Hybrid Touring / Merida E-bike.

  • Cycle accessories – helmet, rear trunk bag with drop down sides, gel seat cover, puncture repair kit, bike lock, drink bottle holder and high visibility vest.

  • Five night’s accommodation of an excellent standard in double or twin share (additional cost of $360 for a single supplement).

    Accommodation Upgrades

  • Helicopter flight from Mount Cook Airport.

  • A range of meals: breakfast provided in all locations – five in total; evening meal included in three locations; lunch provided on four days.

  • Daily baggage transfer (1x 15kg bag per person) between all accommodation providers.

  • Tour itinerary, directions to accommodation and A2O trail map provided.

  • Cycle breakdown and rider support service.

  • Daily check-ins with Trail Adventures in person or by phone.

Itinerary

Day 1: No cycling today

At 12pm, we will meet you at our depot at 16 Chain Hills Highway in Omarama for a bike fitting before transferring you through some amazing scenery (at 1pm, possibly earlier) to Mt Cook Village where you’ll stay the night.

You are welcome to leave your vehicle at our depot while you ride the trail.

Meals included today: B / D

From Mt Cook Village you will cycle roughly 2km to the trail start point at White Horse Hill Campground. From here it’s approximately an 8km cycle down to Mt Cook Airfield where you’ll board a helicopter for a short transfer provided by Southern Lakes Helicopters (scenic flights can be added) across the Tasman River to the Rotten Tommy landing area. After the transfer you’ll continue riding down the side of Lake Pukaki to Braemar Station.

Meals included today: B / L / D

Today you’ll cycle further down the side of Lake Pukaki enjoying the amazing view before heading across the Pukaki Flats to Twizel. You’ll continue on, cycling along the edge of stunning turquoise coloured canals, and the southern edge of Lake Ohau along a beautiful trail.

NB: riding distance today may vary depending on accommodation availability.

Meals included today: B / L

It’s a steady climb up out of Ohau to the highpoint of the A2O trail at 900m above sea level. The destination is Omarama but make sure you take a look at the Historic Quailburn Woolshed and consider a side excursion to The Clay Cliffs along the way. Leaving Omarama you ride down the Waitaki Valley, following the edge of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting – a popular boating, fishing and camping destination. You will then be able to experience the newest part of the trail which continues to follow Lake Benmore across local farmland before arriving at Benmore Dam and riding through to Otematata where you will stay the night.

NB: riding distance today may vary depending on accommodation availability.

Meals included today: B / L / D

Today’s ride will take you around the edge of hydro lakes Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki with you passing through the quaint little town of Kurow. You will continue riding through Pasquale Vineyard and alongside the mighty Waitaki River. Take a look at the ancient Māori rock drawings before arriving at the historic town of Duntroon. 

NB: riding distance today may vary depending on accommodation availability.

Meals included today: B / L

Today you’ll follow the trail through several farms to the unique rock formations known as Elephant Rocks. You’ll continue on and be surrounded by limestone escarpments before riding through to Oamaru taking in the beautifully manicured Oamaru Public Gardens along the way to the trail finishing point at Oamaru Harbour. 

NB: riding distance today may vary depending on accommodation availability. 

Additional extras:

  • Fancy staying the night in Oamaru after finishing your ride? Add a night for $140 per person double/twin share including breakfast.
  • Need to get back through to our depot in Omarama? Our shuttle leaves Oamaru at 3pm. The price is $50 per person for the shuttle and $15 per bike (doesn’t apply to our bikes). This needs to be booked when booking your experience with us as our shuttle only runs on demand. Please be aware there is a minimum cost of $200 for this shuttle to run.

Departure Dates

You can view all available season dates, check pricing and make a booking by using the buttons below.

BOOK ONLINE NOW

Although we’ve included as much as possible within your tour these are the things that aren’t included in the pricing:

Any meals not mentioned above.

Drinks and alcohol.

Single supplement: if you are travelling alone or would like your own room throughout the tour, this is an additional $360.

Add a night’s accommodation in Oamaru of excellent quality with close proximity to the finish, the harbour, restaurants and bars for $110 per person double/twin share. Continental breakfast can also be included for $25 per person. This provides time to explore the penguin colony, limestone architecture of the Victorian Precinct or many other activities that Oamaru has to offer.

A shuttle back through to our depot in Omarama. Our shuttle leaves Oamaru at 3pm (with 2.45pm the latest arrival time). There is also the option of a 10am shuttle the following day however this would require an overnight stay in Oamaru. The price is $55 per person for the shuttle and $15 per bike (doesn’t apply to our bikes). This needs to be booked when booking your experience with us as our shuttle only runs on demand. Please be aware there is a minimum cost of $250 for the 10am shuttle to run.

If you are bringing your own bike, please ensure it has recently been serviced and that you carry a personal repair kit that contains items such as an inner tube, pump and puncture repair kit. If you bring your own bike and you require repairs, we will do our best to help however it is likely there will be a cost associated with this and it is possible we won’t be able to carry out the repairs ourselves.