Depart From: Overnight flight from the US to New Zealand

In Transit: Cross the International Date Line

Arrive in Christchurch / Program & Participant Introductions / Orientation to Christchurch

Arrive To: After our flight from Los Angeles via Auckland, we are met at Christchurch Airport and transfer to a local cafe to have a welcome breakfast together.

Lunch: Lunch at a local cafe.

Afternoon: After lunch we have a welcome meeting and introduction to the program. We also take the opportunity to meet our fellow group members. We then have an orientation to the city of Christchurch to learn of the effects of the recent earthquakes and discover how the city is being rebuilt. Depending on whether the city's new cycleways are up and running or not, we will either do a cycling ability assessment this afternoon or tomorrow out on the Little River rail trail.

Dinner: After checking in to our accommodation, we have dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Riccarton Motor Lodge

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Introduction to New Zealand and the South Island / Little River Rail Trail

Breakfast: After continental breakfast in our rooms, we travel out to Lincoln University, New Zealand's specialist land-based university.

Morning: At Lincoln University we will have a lecture introducing us to New Zealand's South Island. We will learn of the geology, natural and economic history, and land-use of the areas we are about to cycle through.

Lunch: After exploring the university, we will have lunch at Lincoln University.

Afternoon: After lunch we have the short transfer to to Motukarara for cycle on the Little River Rail Trail which runs alongside Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), where the railway embankment is raised above the lake and adjoining wetlands affording magnificent views of the surrounding volcanic hills and the prolific birdlife. We finish at Birdlings Flat, a pebble beach where we can search for gemstones. We cycle approximately 13 miles today. We board our transport and transfer back to Christchurch.

Dinner: We head out tonight for a wine-tasting and dinner at a winery on the outskirts of Christchurch.

Lodging: Riccarton Motor Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Canterbury Plains - the rural economy with a stunning mountain backdrop / Cycle to the head of Lake Tekapo / Learn about the star of the southern sky at Mount John Observatory.

Breakfast: After continental breakfast in our rooms, we board our transport and leave Christchurch en route to Tekapo.

Morning: We travel through mixed-use farmland as we drive through the foothills with the stunning vistas of the magnificent Southern Alps in the background.

Lunch: We pause for lunch at a local cafe.

Afternoon: This afternoon we cycle along the side of Lake Tekapo towards the head of the lake. We will overlook a landscape where the cloudy blue (silica-full) lake stands out against a backdrop of rugged snow-capped peaks. Lake Tekapo is renowned as one of New Zealand's most picturesque locations. We cycle approximately 26 miles before returning to Lake Tekapo and our accommodation. We have the time to stroll to the lakefront to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue paying homage to the New Zealand working sheep-dog.

Dinner: We have dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: This evening we visit the Mount John Observatory where we learn about the stars of the southern night sky.

Lodging: Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Aoraki-Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak / the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre / Cycling the hydro canals.

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we transfer to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, named after the New Zealander who in 1953 (with Sherpa Tensing Norgay) was the first man to summit Mount Everest. Here we will learn about the Southern Alps and the activity in the area. We shall also visit the base of the Department of Conservation.

Lunch: We will have a packed lunch today.

Afternoon: This afternoon we cycle the route alongside the Pukaki-Ohau-Ruataniwha canal system feeding a number of New Zealand's hydro-electricity schemes. The canal roads provide for gentle gradients and stunning vistas. We cycle approximately 20 miles today. We reconnect with our driver/guide and drive on to Twizel for our overnight stay.

Lodging: Mackenzie Country Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Black Stilt Recovery Centre / Quailburn Historic Shearing Shed / Otematata-Aviemore cycle.

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we first visit the Department of Conservation's Black Stilt Recovery Centre. The black stilt (or kaki) is the world's rarest wading bird. They are very distinctive with completely black plumage and long red legs. Unique to New Zealand, they are regarded by Maori as a taonga species (living treasure). Here we will learn of the attempts being made to ensure the survival of the species.

Lunch: We will have a packed lunch as we explore the historic Quailburn shearing shed.

Afternoon: From here we cycle out on the sealed route towards the main road, during which we will be surrounded by the amazing colours of the Mackenzie Basin, named after a famous sheep-rustler. We have a short transfer in our transport to the low pass at Otematata from where we have a picturesque downhill ride to the Aviemore Dam. We regroup with our transport and drive into our accommodation in the delightful village of Kurow. We cycle approximately 25 miles in our two legs today.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at our accommodation.

Lodging: Kurow Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we drive east to Duntroon and turn inland so that we can cycle on quiet rural roads. We reconnect with our driver and head to lunch at a local cafe.

Lunch: Lunch is at a local cafe.

Afternoon: We drive into Oamaru and check-in at our accommodation. We then have a guided walking tour of the historic section of Oamaru where we see the impressive (for such a small town) limestone buildings. We will also learn something of the steampunk movement and the town's historic cycling festival.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at our hotel.

Evening: This evening we visit the Blue Penguin colony where we can view the penguins returning from a day at sea gathering food.

Lodging: Kingsgate Hotel Brydone Oamaru

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we drive through productive rolling pastoral land in the direction of Dunedin. We visit the Orokonui Ecosanctuary - a 307-hectare native forest that is the only Cloud Forest in New Zealand where indigenous plants and animals can live in the wild without threat from most introduced pests. It is home to some of New Zealand's most fascinating and rare forest wildlife. We explore the Ecosanctuary's protected habitat where we have a guided tour allowing us to experience a natural encounter with South Island forest wildlife in a regenerating forest ecosystem.

Lunch: We have lunch at the Ecosanctuary.

Afternoon: This afternoon we transfer to Dunedin. We will have a 12-mile cycle ride on the back route to the South Island's second city.

Dinner: After arriving in Dunedin we will check in to our accommodation where we will have dinner tonight.

Lodging: Mercure Hotel Leisure Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Leith Walk / Otago Peninsula / Albatross Colony / Fort Taiaroa / Taiaroa Head Cruise

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: Today we leave our cycles behind as we begin this morning with a field trip along The Leith Walk where we learn of Dunedin's Scottish history and the importance of education to the city, home to New Zealand's first university. We then carry on to Otago Peninsula & Taiaroa Head.

Lunch: We have lunch at the Albatross Colony cafe.

Afternoon: Our first field trip this afternoon is to the Taiaroa Head Albatross Colony - the only mainland breeding colony for any albatross species anywhere in the world. After learning about these fascinating birds, we visit Fort Taiaroa (1886 Armstrong Gun Placement) and cruise to Taiaroa Head aboard the Monarch.

Dinner: We return to Dunedin this afternoon. Dinner is at own arrangements tonight and you are free to explore the city this evening.

Lodging: Mercure Hotel Leisure Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: We have breakfast this morning at our accommodation.

Morning: We transfer to Dunedin's historic and stunning railway station. We will board the Taieri Gorge Railway to travel to Middlemarch.

Lunch: We have lunch at a local cafe.

Afternoon: This afternoon we begin our Central Otago Rail Trail with the 15 mile ride to Hyde where we will stay overnight.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at our accommodation.

Lodging: Hyde Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 of the Central Otago Rail Trail / Macraes Gold Mine / Historic Naseby / Curling

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we visit the Macraes Gold Mine, New Zealand's largest. We then begin cycling the 30-mile section to Wedderburn.

Lunch: We have a picnic lunch on the Rail Trail.

Afternoon: Once arriving in Wedderburn, we jump aboard our transport and head to historic Naseby to learn some more of the Central Otago history. Here we will also get a chance to try our hand at curling with some of the enthusiastic locals.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at our accommodation.

Lodging: Wedderburn Cottages

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 of the Central Otago Rail Trail / The Ida Valley / The Dunstan Ranges / Spooky Saint Bathans.

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we begin the approximately 30-mile leg of the Rail Trail from Wedderburn to Omakau. We cycle across the remote countryside of the Ida Valley and through the Poolburn Gorge.

Lunch: We have a picnic lunch along the Rail Trail.

Afternoon: This afternoon we arrive in Omakau and rejoin our transport for a field trip to the former coal and gold mining town of Saint Bathans, well known to New Zealanders as home to the historic Vulcan Hotel, a restored and reputedly haunted public house; and the Blue Lake, a small lake formed during gold-sluicing, which gives it a distinctive turquoise colour.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at our accommodation.

Lodging: Tiger Hill Lodge & Wilson's

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 of the Central Otago Rail Trail - the final leg / Alexandra / the Clutha River & Clyde Dam.

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our accommodation.

Morning: This morning we begin the final leg of the Rail Trail bound for Clyde. Again we have about 30 miles to cover today.

Lunch: We have lunch today in a cafe in Central Otago's main town of Alexandra.

Afternoon: This afternoon we cycle along the Centennial Trail beside the mighty Clutha River to Clyde.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at our accommodation.

Lodging: Dunstan House

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lake Dunstan / Cromwell / Central Otago winery lunch / Arrowtown's golden history / Queenstown.

Breakfast: We have breakfast this morning at our hotel.

Morning: Today we leave our cycles hitched to our trailer as we travel through gorgeous scenery from Clyde to Queenstown. This morning we drive along Lake Dunstan to Cromwell surrounded by vineyards and stone-fruit orchards. We then drive through the ruggedly, stunning Kawerau Gorge towards Queenstown.

Lunch: We have lunch at a local winery.

Afternoon: This afternoon's field trip takes us to the historic settlement of Arrowtown with its picture-postcard main street. We learn of its gold-mining history and visit the historic Chinese village to learn of the conditions this minority endured in the gold-field.

Dinner: We drive through to Queenstown for an orientation to the township before checking into our hotel in time for dinner.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lake Wakatipu Cruise including Walter Peak Sheep Station / Gondola to Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown's stunning natural beauty

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our hotel.

Morning: This morning we cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic steamer TSS Earnslaw. We visit Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided tour and an insight into New Zealand farmers' working dogs.

Lunch: We have lunch at Walter Peak Station.

Afternoon: Our field trip at the Station continues before our return cruise on Lake Wakatipu. After a program review we have some free time before we take the gondola to Skyline Restaurant on top of Bob's Peak for dinner overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.

Dinner: We have our farewell dinner up at Skyline.

Evening: We take the gondola down the Peak and then return to our hotel. Remainder of evening at leisure.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: We have breakfast at our hotel.

Morning: We have this morning free to do last-minute packing and explore Queenstown for the last time.

Lunch: We will have lunch at a local cafe or at the airport before transferring to the airport for our flights to Auckland and on to the USA.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch