Embark on an Unforgettable Southern Alps Epic MTB Adventure in New Zealand’s Most Breathtaking Landscapes

Kia Ora Mates! Welcome to this little slice of paradise called the South Island of New Zealand! Today, we’ll be offering a pick-up from your hotel by 10 am. Your guides will ensure you and your bike are ready for an incredible adventure ahead. We’ll set off for a favorite ride in the Nelson Region, which could be locally or further into the Marlborough Sounds or Golden Bay areas. Tonight, we’ll get together for a group dinner and go over the epic 7 days of MTB adventure ahead!

After an early start, we say goodbye to Nelson and head west to the ghost town of Lyell and get ready for a good climb up part of the Old Ghost Road.

Here, we’re heading into New Zealand’s newest and epic backcountry singletracks ever made. We’ll ride up a well-graded incline of awesome singletrack, through magical forests and alpine ridgelines of the wild west coast.

The Old Ghost Road is NZ’s longest singletrack, comprising an impressive rugged 87 km in total. Today, we’ll ride and enjoy a stunning part of it! This afternoon, we’ll head over to the real wild west of New Zealand and gear up to fly high in a helicopter with our bikes and overnight gear.

We’ll strap the bikes up and set off in style to the top of The Victoria Range to a sweet hut perched in pure beauty overlooking endless ridgelines of New Zealand’s west coast wilderness at its finest! We’ll be on top of the world, mates, living life simply but awesomely in a backcountry hut with views to die for.

Please Note:

• Weather and/or riding abilities may dictate that the heli-bike be changed to the Croesus Track or something else. Heavy rain does not allow us to chopper up here.
  
• The Heli-biking experience requires all bikes to be strapped securely to a rope that hangs under the chopper in flight. Although the bikes are packed with care, it is likely for the bikes to shift during air transport, creating scratches on the bike's paint. If you are concerned with your bike getting scratched, you have the option of wrapping your bike in a foam pad which we will supply, and you will then be responsible for riding out with the foam pad in your backpack. Renting a bike through the Add-Ons tab is also an option. Sacred Rides is not responsible for scratches on bikes.

Rising in the heart of NZ’s remote backcountry and to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and great views, we’ll test our brakes out for our awesome downhill adventure ride ahead!

We’ll be enjoying a 1100m descent down the premier Kirwans Track. We’ll flow through stunning Beech tree and Fern Gully forests on this epic technical descent!

This ride is an adventure ride, as it does require some hike-a-bike in sections, but most riders have never experienced such fun as this before! After our ride, we’ll hop in the shuttle and drive down the Grey Valley heading inland, up and over the Southern Alps to the Craigieburn Forest.

A scenic drive and rest after our awesome backcountry MTB Adventure.

Today, we’re in a completely different landscape, as we find ourselves in the foothills of the Southern Alps. We’ll get back in the saddle for some epic riding in the rugged wilderness of Craigieburn Forest—a long-time favorite playground for hikers, skiers, climbers, and riders.

We’ll start with tackling an uphill gravel road to the bottom of Craigieburn Ski Field, before heading down the well-named Edge trail and onto a track called “The Luge.”

After the Luge, a short uphill is followed by the new Dracophyllum and Hogsback Track. This is New Zealand’s singletrack at its best, mates… a real hoot—sweet singletrack all the way! In the afternoon, we’ll rest our muscles as we drive to the high dry McKenzie Country.

Some of NZ’s finest scenery and stunning turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, and home to the clearest skies in the world!

Waking to the beauty and stunning landscapes of the Mackenzie Country, home to NZ’s highest mountains and some of the most outstanding natural scenery in the world, we’ve got an inspiring singletrack ride to warm up with, which flows through native Tussocks along with incredible views of the turquoise-tainted Lake Tekapo & its glaciers.

We’ll then move onto our secret gem of a ride on private land. This sheep singletrack flows through the best alpine views the South Island has to offer. Imagine riding through glaciated peaks, roaming sheep, and flowers on a super fun cross-country ride, ending with a cold beer (or two)!

We’ll ride to our unique accommodation tonight—staying in a converted shearer’s quarters with views to die for. It doesn’t get more Kiwi than this, mates!

After leaving this breathtaking place, we’ll head down to Central Otago, home to semi-desert-like landscapes, great Pinot Noirs, and amazing riding.

We’ll enjoy another postcard drive as we head over the Lindis Pass, and on to the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka & Alexandra. Here, we’ll spend the afternoon riding some amazing, fast, flowing singletrack made by the keen local mountain bike community.

The rides offer both flow and technical rocky sections. After the riding, we’re off to some quaint accommodation right in the heart of a small local riding town.

We’re off on a short drive over to the adventure capital of New Zealand, to the breathtaking area of Queenstown. The trails just keep on being created here, and we’re all about new discoveries.

Our ride of choice around these parts starts up on Coronet Peak, offering spectacular views over the Wakatipu Basin. We’ll enjoy a few laps on the epic downhill track known as Rude Rock before flowing onto the Skippers Canyon Pack Track. We’ll shred down into the remote Skippers Canyon, before climbing out onto the classic Zoot Track.

If riders still have some legs, there’s an awesome ride that flows to a small little town, where we can end our amazing riding adventure in NZ.

After smiling from ear to ear from these incredible trails, we’ll end our riding adventure this afternoon with some tired legs and happy hearts.

Tonight, we’ll have our final farewell dinner and drinks in town.

Our last morning of the trip. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and high-five your new riding pals. Sob, weep, waaaaa! What an awesome adventure we have all shared together.

Today, your guides will be offering drop-offs to the Queenstown Airport at 10:00 a.m. or to your hotel of choice in Queenstown by 10:30 a.m.

Until next time, mates!

• 7 Nights stay in unique and charming local accommodations
• 1 Night backcountry Hut Kiwi Style experience
• 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 2 Delicious Dinners
• Daily Snacks
• Trail Fees
• All transportation as detailed in the itinerary
• 2 experienced MTB Guides
• 1 Heli-Biking Scenic Experience
• All the epic jaw-dropping singletrack you can handle
• Cooler full of ice-cold brews after each ride

• Pre-trip & post-trip accommodations (day 0, day 8)
• Extra snacks, coffees, drinks along the way
• Alcoholic beverages, Guide gratuities

Throughout the tour, you’ll stay in a mix of unique accommodations that reflect the character and charm of each region. From backcountry huts to boutique lodges, each location offers comfort and a connection to the surrounding wilderness. Our backcountry hut experience is a highlight, offering a night under the stars in New Zealand’s pristine alpine environment.

New Zealand’s weather is as varied as its landscapes, particularly in the Southern Alps. During the MTB season from December to April, you can expect:

Summer (December to February):
Warm days with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). The weather is generally stable, but it’s not uncommon to experience sudden changes, particularly in alpine regions. Afternoon showers can occur, so packing a light rain jacket is essential.

Autumn (March to April):
Cooler mornings and evenings, with daytime temperatures between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The weather remains mostly clear, but you might encounter the occasional shower or cooler winds as the season transitions. Autumn is also a great time to enjoy the changing colors of the landscape.

Alpine Conditions:
Higher elevations can experience cooler temperatures and more unpredictable weather year-round. Be prepared for chilly winds and potential snow at higher altitudes, even in summer.

It's important to be prepared for all types of weather during your ride. Layering is key, as conditions can change rapidly, especially in mountainous areas. Our guides will keep you informed about the forecast, but having the right gear is essential to staying comfortable and safe.

This tour is designed for advanced riders with high fitness levels. You should be comfortable with steep climbs, technical descents, and long days in the saddle. Proper physical preparation is essential for enjoying the challenging terrain and varied conditions you’ll encounter on this tour.

The Southern Alps Epic tour takes you through some of New Zealand’s most diverse and challenging terrains, offering a true test of your skills and endurance. From the flowing singletracks of Nelson's Coopermine Saddle and the rugged beauty of the Old Ghost Road on the West Coast, to the technical descents of Kirwans Track and the iconic trails of Craigieburn Forest, each location offers a unique riding experience. You’ll also explore the high-altitude tracks around Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook, ride through the moon-like landscapes of Alexandra, and finish with the legendary downhill trails of Queenstown. Whether you're navigating rocky ridgelines, flowing through native forests, or soaking in the alpine views, every day brings a new adventure on some of New Zealand's best mountain biking trails.