7 Day Backcountry Mountain Bike Tour
Small groups in epic landscapes, including the world famous Old Ghost Road.
7 Days All Inclusive mtb Tour
2 guides to 6 riders (1:3)
$9800 NZD Per Person
The Premium Backcountry Mountain Bike Tour through the Southern Alps.
Our backcountry MTB tour is all about unforgettable riding, wild landscapes and premium accommodation.
Extinct volcanoes, cloud covered ridges and deep rainforest, everyday is a new story.
Ride with local guides on their favourite trails as they show you the REAL New Zealand that big groups never see.
| Duration | 7 days, 6 nights |
|---|---|
| Price | NZ$9,800 per person (approx. US$5,700 / CA$8,200) |
| 2027 departures | 30 March – 6 April 2027; 18–25 April 2027 |
| Start & finish | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Group size | Maximum 6 riders, minimum 3 to run |
| Guide ratio | 2 guides to 6 riders (1:3) |
| Total distance | 192 km (120 miles) |
| Total climbing | 4,370 m (14,353 ft) climb, 6,400 m (21,000 ft) descent |
| Skill level | Intermediate (Level 2) — confident on blue and black trails |
| Fitness level | High — comfortable with 1,000 m climbing days |
| Accommodation | 5 nights premium lodges, 1 night remote alpine hut |
MTB Tour Gallery
Backcountry Mountain Bike Tour Highlights
- Spend two days on the world famous Old Ghost Road, 85km of purpose built, backcountry singletrack (IMBA Epic)
- Relax in award winning natural hot pools in the heart of the Southern Alps.
- 7 days of diverse NZ mountain biking; riding volcanic ridges by the ocean to alpine singletrack to deep rainforest.
- Stay at bespoke accommodation with breathtaking scenery.
- Improve your riding with our expert guides who are also Professional Mountain Bike Instructors.
Backcountry Tour Reviews
Backcountry Mountain Bike Tour Itinerary
Day 0 – Christchurch
Enjoy the city at your own leisure or sleep in to get over the long flight. Your Adventurefuel Bike Guides will meet you in the afternoon to help build bikes or introduce you to your bike rentals. This is a meet and greet and a great time to settle any nerves and get excited for the upcoming trip. We will go for a drink to get to know each other once all the bikes are ready.
Cycling distance: 0
Included Meals: n/a
Accommodation: Hotel (not included)
Day 1- Christchurch port Hills
Now we are into it! Welcome to our local trails in the Christchurch’s Port Hills. Flowing singletrack along the crater rim gives incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps. Ride some volcanic rock and hand built trails. At the end of the day we take our private bus into the mountains for our first night in the foothills of the Southern Alps.
Riding distance: Up to 40km 500m Climb / 1400m Descent
Included Meals: B, L,D
Accommodation: Private High Country Farm
Day 2 – Mt Hutt
After we say hello to the sheep your guides will make you breakfast and get ready for some shuttles in the Mt Hutt Bike park. But don’t be expecting lift queues and gondolas this is a small local park that packs a big punch. We have over 30km of trail to choose from all with amazing views over the Canterbury plains.
Riding distance: Up to 27km 950m Climb / 980m Descent
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Scenic Eco Lodge
Day 3- The Craigieburns Enduro
Wake up in the hills and it’s a short scenic drive to the trailhead. This where we get the true feel for our backcountry mountain bike tour. The Craigieburns is a local favourite. Including two sections of the NZ Enduro, so picture tight, rooty trails in native beech forest. We will tailor the rides to the group and conditions but can guarantee world class riding.
Riding distance: Up to 27km 950m Climb / 980m Descent
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Scenic Eco Lodge
Day 4 – Old Ghost Road
The biggest climbing day of the week, though we are in no hurry. The forest is full of native birds and waterfalls and worth taking slowly.
We climb through mossy cloud forest until the trail pops out on the alpine ridge and the views are breathtaking. From there the singletrack traces the ridgeline, slips through the famous ‘Heaven’s Door’, then drops to Ghost Lake Hut. Watch the cloud pour down the valley and enjoy a quiet night in a remote alpine hut.
Riding Distance: Up to 30km 1306m Climb / 427m Descent
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Scenic Alpine Hut
Day 5 – Old Ghost Road
Waking up to more incredible views over coffee and breakfast then riding out straight onto the trail. Winding down to Skyline Ridge before we enjoy an 800m (2600ft) descent, purpose built for mountain bikes.
Snacks at Stern Valley Hut before climbing up to Solemn Saddle and another ripping descent . One last push takes along the gorge with hanging bridges and waterfalls until we finish the day with beers and a well deserved rest.
Riding Distance: Up to 55km 790m Climb / 1960m Descent
Meals: B,L, D
Accommodation: Backcountry Lodge
Day 6 – West Coast Trails and Thermal Hot pools
An easier gear today. We drive the West Coast and take in some walks, before we explore around another old gold mining town. The riding here is
little known backcountry trails through more of that gorgeous beech forest. Then it is on to the night’s accommodation for saunas, natural hot springs and an exquisite dinner. Time to rest and recover after 6 days of solid riding.
Riding Distance: Up to 11km 720m Climb / 720m Descent
Meals: B, L,D
Accommodation: Mountain Spa Hotel
Day 7 – Hanmer Springs
We leave the Alps behind and thread back through the foothills to another local favourite. Our final riding day is in the pine forest, with the option to lap the trails we love most and tick off one of the best descents in the area. Farewell dinner, then back to Christchurch with new mates and a pile of stories.
Riding Distance: Up to (26km 700m Climb / 960m Descent)
Meals: B, L,D
Accommodation: Hotel (not included)
Backcountry MTB Tour Inclusions
- 5 nights in premium handpicked lodges & hotels, including 5-star properties.
- 1 night in a remote alpine hut overlooking the mountains.
- Thermal hot pool entry and spa treatments included.
- Trail Karma – we build and maintain trails in the winter and donate money to local trails for every rider we take on a tour.
- All inclusive meals in curated local restaurants, snacks/ hydration on rides and plenty of local delicacies.
- Private spacious minibus with secure MTB trailer for shuttles and transfers.
- First Aid Qualified Guides with Emergency Supplies, Radios and Locator Beacon.
- Mechanic Support from our guides including bike stand and (some) spare parts in the support vehicle.
- Small groups with 2 professional guides— (6 riders maximum)
FAQ
Yes, we strictly limit all our mountain bike tour to 6 riders to give the best ratio of guides to riders. 3 riders to 1 guide is the smallest guide to rider ratio in the industry and we think it makes for a truly intimate trip.
We guarantee trips with just 3 riders so you can start getting excited for your trip not waiting for it to be confirmed. We can also do private trips of just two riders, send us a message for more details.
130-150mm travel front and back would be optimum but personal choice will be factored in. All bikes should have hydraulic modern brakes and be recently fully serviced before the trip. You don’t want mechanicals to ruin your dream trip! We also highly recommend a dropper seat post.
For this itinerary riders must be a LEVEL 2: (INTERMEDIATE) or above and comfortable riding blue and black trails. The majority of the trails we ride will be blue with some single black trails. See our Rider Skill Level Assessment and Trail Grading for more details.
For this itinerary riders must be a high LEVEL 2 or LEVEL 3 and above who are comfortable up to 1000m/ 3000ft of elevation per day for multiple days (the longest day has 1400m / 4200ft) of elevation gain. Each day will have around 5-6 hours of riding time not including rest breaks (which we do plenty of) This trip is for fit confident riders. See our Fitness Level Assessment for more details.
Not on this itinerary but please get in touch as we are making new E-bike trips as we speak!
Yes we can rent you a bike. We are currently picking out our new fleet so follow us on socials to see what you will be riding or get in touch if you have any questions.
Comprehensive travel insurance covering mountain biking and medical evacuation is mandatory for every rider. Plenty of standard policies exclude MTB, so check the wording carefully before you buy. We’ll ask for your provider and policy number on the rider questionnaire. We would also highly recommend having cancellation insurance in case you are injured just before the trip.
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