Day 1
Transfers from Methven (if required). (Hot air ballooning over the Canterbury Plains available before pickup at extra cost.) Jetboat up the braided Rakaia River before travelling up to Glenfalloch Station. We spend a few moments going over some safety and hot tips that will help you enjoy your ride. We then make our way along 4WD drive tracks to Lake Heron, following Lake Stream, a great trout fishing river, here we overnight at the luxury cottage at Lake Heron.
This day gently eases you into the swing of things, as the track is fairly flat with some gentle up hill climbing - suitable for first time riders.
Day 2
The hills are more challenging on this section of the tour so ‘climb like a billy goat’ or admire the view from the support vehicle!
We bike up through Mt Arrowsmith Station, with great views over Lake Heron and mountain tarns to New Zealand's premiere lunch spot. A panoramic view few have seen. The afternoon begins with an awesome downhill ride into a remote glacial valley were we overnight in an original Musterer's Hut. Those who are still feeling energetic can travel further up the valley to the Ashburton glacier.
This day has some challenging riding with steep slopes, requiring some fitness and riding experience for the downhill.
Day 3
Meander down the glacial valley to Arrowsmith Homestead for a wholesome lunch admiring the views from the front porch. We are then taken by Mt Hutt Helicopters for a breathtaking flight over part of the majestic Southern Alps. We land at Mt Potts Ski Field (1700m) and after a while exploring and relaxing, we jump on our bikes for an exhilarating downhill ride towards Mt Sunday, one of the more famous sites used in the Lord of the Rings films. *From here we ride to Erewhon Station, which has great views of the mountain ranges, across the Rangitata River to Mesopotamia, which is one of the Canterbury’s special High Country runs (land of English author Samuel Butler) where we overnight in the Shearer’s Quarters.
*Dependant on the weather, an alternative route to Inverary Station will be used if the river is too high to cross.
This day offers mostly downhill rides, river crossing and cycling along remote shingle roads.
Day 4
Enjoy the morning’s crisp clean High Country air as we cycle down Rangitata Gorge Road where we meet up with the Rangitata Rafts crew for 3 hours of the greatest white water rafting New Zealand has to offer. (Other options available for those not wishing to participate, please ask us for details.) After the Raft BBQ and an opportunity to see the video footage and pictures of your day, we drive you back to Methven.
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