Day 1 - Christchurch via Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs

261 kilometres / 163 miles

Today we set off on day 1 of the tour to visit the seafood capital of New Zealand, Kaikoura and sample a wonderful seafood lunch before heading out by boat or helicopter to do the amazing whale watch experience - get up close and personal with the amazing sperm whales. Once the whale watching and feasting is done we head to Hanmer Springs for the night and end the day with a soak in their wonderful thermal hot pools.

Day 2 - Hanmer Springs to Arthurs Pass

258 kilometres / 161 miles

The ride today leaves behind Hanmer Springs and takes us across the north Canterbury Plains before heading inland through the majestic mountain pass known as Arthurs Pass which is all about massive mountains and going up, up, up ...then down, down, down. We spend the night in the Arthurs Pass.

Day 3 - Arthurs Pass to Fox Glacier

242 kilometres / 151 miles

Today we ride out of the Arthurs Pass and ride down the stunning West Coast of the South Island, a beautiful coastal ride with high mountain ranges on your left and the ocean on your right. We arrive in Fox Glacier and there is enough time to take a helicopter flight up the glaciers for those that wish to see the Glaciers and Mount Cook from the air.

Day 4 - Fox Glacier to Cardrona

287 kilometres / 179 miles

Today we take the road further south, heading through more dramatic scenery of dense native bush and glacier valleys as we ride through the Haast Pass, past the stunning town of Wanaka on the shores of this huge lake, with some beautiful riding around the lake shores, we then head up to Cardrona for the night to be spent in this beautiful old hotel.

Day 5 - Cardrona to Te Anau

203 kilometres / 127 miles

Today we cruise on down into Queenstown for a morning of sightseeing the adventure activities of this wonderful town - for those that don't wish to have a sightsee can take a ride out to Glenorchy along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Early afternoon we head off for the afternoon ride to the town of Te Anau - there is a wonderful evening glow worm tour offered here before dinner for those that wish. We settle for the night on the shores of the lake at Te Anau.

Day 6 - Te Anau to Milford Sounds and Return

240 kilometres / 150 miles

Today we head off to Milford Sound - it is the same road in and out including a one kilometre one way tunnel. The ride has stunning mountains, glaciers, native bush and snow clad mountain tips. Once at Milford Sound you take a 2 hour boat cruise out onto the Sound for those that wish, which is a truly spectacular cruise. We then head back for another night on the shores of the lake at Te Anau.

Day 7 - Te Anau to Invercargill

180 kilometres / 112 miles

We have a late start today to give everyone the chance of a lie in. Then we head off on the Southern Scenic Route to the southern town of Invercargill - once we arrive in Invercargill, we have the option of a further ride out to Bluff the southernmost point of New Zealand for those that wish. Also in this town is the Burt Munro museum which is definitely worth a visit!

Day 8 - Invercargill via the Caitlins to Dunedin

248 kilometres / 155 miles

Today we head out back towards the East Coast of the South Island, with a beautiful ride through the stunning Caitlins region of Southland, a place of hidden waterfalls, river valleys and picturesque rocky bays where the Pacific Ocean bites into the land. We also make a visit to the Petrified Forest - 180 million years old, is revealed at low tide at Curio Bay, this Jurassic forest, of petrified tree stumps and logs is amazing! We then head up to the Scottish like town of Dunedin for the night.

Day 9 - Dunedin to Lake Tekapo

290 kilometres / 180 miles

Leaving the town of Dunedin behind us we head up the coast to Oamaru where we have time to visit the penguin colony, before heading inland to the stunning lakes in the centre of the Southern Alps and the South Island - Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Both of these lakes have Mount Cook as the stunning back drop to the vividly unbelievable blue of these lakes. Tonight we spend the night on the shores of Lake Tekapo.

Day 10 - Lake Tekapo via Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch

256 kilometres / 160 miles

Today the ride takes us back to the Garden City of Christchurch - we head off from Tekapo heading across the Canterbury Plains and through the stunning area of the Rakaia Gorge, as we head back to Christchurch - a day of relatively straight road riding after the twists and turns encountered in the last 10 days - just plain cruising home!