Day 1 - the Coromandel Loop

260 kilometres / 162 miles

Following a late afternoon transfer down from Auckland the night before, we start our tour away from Auckland traffic by doing the Coromandel Loop - a stunning ride with many twists and turns over the miles and stunning coastal and mountain views all the way along this ride.

Day 2 - Waihi to Gisborne via the Waioweka Gorge

338 kilometres / 211 miles

Today we head off towards the East Cape of New Zealand - first through the kiwi fruit growing area of Katikati and we then head down the stunning coastal ride of the Bay of Plenty coastline, before cutting inland to end the day riding through the endless twists and turns of the Waiweka Gorge with its amazing range of native bush. For those that wish that evening we take in a Kapa Haka maori show, high above Gisborne, in the natural outdoors.

Day 3 - Gisborne to Lake Taupo

328 kilometres / 205 miles

The ride today takes us on a coastal ride through the wine growing region of Hawkes Bay as we follow the road along the coast and through the vineyards. We have time for a lunch stop in the art deco town of Napier, before we then turn and head inland towards the Central Plateau of the North Island - an afternoon ride across a remote New Zealand road, before dropping in to the busy town of Taupo for a 2 night rest here.

Day 4 - Lake Taupo (Free Day)

Today you have an opportunity to rest and experience what Taupo has to offer with the Huka Falls, Geothermal Parks, Boat Trips, Sky Dives, Bungee Jumps to name but a few. However if you prefer to have a day of riding then there are wonderful day rides around Lake Taupo itself that can be done easily in an day of riding.

Day 5 - Taupo to Wellington

370 kilometres / 231 miles

A long day of riding today and we head down off through Tongariro National Park with its 3 very distinctive volcanoes in the Central Plateau of the North Island. We then head down towards the southern tip of the North Island, spend your time cruising on relatively straight roads through the farmlands of the bottom half of the North Island, with its rolling countryside.

Day 6 - Ferry crossing then Picton to Nelson

108 kilometres / 68 miles

Today we start off with a 3 hour ferry ride from the north to south island - the latter half of the ferry crossing brings us in through the natural stunning beauty of the Queen Charlotte Sound, which is a wonderful cruise in. Once we are at Picton we then have a short afternoon ride along the challenging twists and turns of the Queen Charlotte Drive - a truly magnificent ride with amazing views, beaches and native bush.

Day 7 - Nelson (Free Day)

We have a 2 night stay in Nelson so today if a free day to sightsee the local area of Nelson with its azure skies and wide open spaces, beaches and lakes, spectacular national parks and unique landforms, vineyards and gourmet cafes, artists and galleries, entrepreneurs and boutique shopping experiences. If you wish to do a day of riding instead then there is a wonderful ride up to the stunning Abel Tasman Park - approximate 200 kms ride.

Day 8 - Nelson to Punakaiki

265 kilometres / 166 miles

Today the ride takes us through the Buller Gorge - this is a wonderful ride of many more twists and turns as you follow the Buller River through the Gorge. You then head out to the coast and start down the West Coast of the South Island - our first stop on the West Coast is the stunning rock formation - Punakaki Rocks.

Day 9 - Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs

261 kilometres / 163 miles

Today we start to zig zag across the South Island taking in the magnificent Southern Alp mountain passes that this country offers - we cruise through the Lewis Pass today. This is quite unlike the route through the Arthur Pass which we do in a couple of days time, Lewis Pass follows a meandering course along a succession of rivers so are almost constantly in a valley looking up.

Day 10 - Hanmer Springs via Kaikoura to Christchurch

258 kilometres / 161 miles

The ride today leaves behind Hanmer Springs and heads to world famous Kaikoura seafood capital of New Zealand and where you can also have an up close and personal encounter with sperm whales. Once we have finished feasting and viewing we take a late afternoon ride back to Christchurch where the tour finishes.