New Zealand’s Premier Cycle Tour Company

If you are thinking of doing the Alps to Ocean (A2O) trail, Escape by Cycle would be incredibly hard to beat. We completed the tour in April 2026 and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the experience. ​Our guides, Tom and Amanda, were beyond excellent. Nothing was ever a problem; they were super organized, explained everything clearly, and made the entire tour so much fun. A special shout-out to the pre-ride warmups—they were hilarious and a fantastic way to get everyone moving before hitting the trail! We had a brilliant time and highly recommend Escape by Cycle for anyone looking to experience the A2O!

So many highlights, amazing scenery, excellent accommodation, the weather you curated (even the wet day was a laugh) and most of all the camaraderie and care from our guides, Beth and Tom. They looked after us so well, got totally involved with our group and helped make it so memorable. We are booked in for a return trip “Around the Mountains“ later in the year. Can’t wait.

A truly amazing bike trip; amazing scenery, safe experience, professional guides, food and service exactly as promised. Overall 5 stars and highly recommended.

Rode Alps to Ocean trail the week before Easter. Fantastic scenery, great ride and smiling weather gods. Escape by Cycle handled all the accommodation, food and logistics perfectly. Our guides Tom and Sid did a great job supporting us and adding some fun. Sadly however I couldn't find a single hidden easter egg, even under the Aussie gumtrees. Well done Escape by Cycle - highly recommended and worth 10 stars!!

The West Coast Wilderness was our first organised cycle tour, my first time on a e-bike, my husband stuck with a non electric MB. The trip was extremely well organised. Our accommodation was excellent. All the meals provided were terrific, definitely on the large size especially for someone who is a small eater. The scenery was fantastic. The guides were fantastic and very informative and mixed up the riding with some side tours which were really great as well. The bikes were well prepared and comfortable. Highly recommend. Thank you Ian for a wonderful trip.

We did the Alps2Ocean trip - it was a fantastic experience helped by great weather. Our guides - Tom and Sid - were great support on trip; very knowledgeable, helpful and fun to be with. Accommodation and food were superb. Highly recommend them.

We completed the alps to ocean in in late March early April 2026 with Escape by Cycle. It was a very well organised 6 days with fantastic guides Sid and Tom who were competent, experienced, helpful, friendly and good fun. All accommodation stops were high quality places with friendly hosts and great facilities. The food, morning teas, lunches and dinners were all fabulous, plentiful and nutritious catering for all dietary needs without any fuss. Overall a fabulous experience which I would recommend without hesitation. Our group were mature cyclists with varying levels of ability by the way and the E bikes were well maintained and never ran out of power.

Had the time of my life on this trip with Ian and the crew! The food, bikes, expertise, organisation, route, and service was second to none and truly was a highlight during my time in NZ! A must if you love adventure! Can’t wait to share with all of my friends back home. We can’t wait to be back!

Thank you Escape by Cycle for your excellence in all aspects of our tour. 11 out of 10 to our competent and experienced guides, Lauren and Sid. The accommodation and meals were superb! The extra treats (hut tubs and wine tasting) were amazing and we loved the helicopter ride at Mt Cook. The beautiful mountains and lakes just kept coming with your second to none service. Thank you Escape by Cycle! 🤩

We did the Alp 2 Ocean tour with Escape by Cycle in the third week of February 2026. We were guided by Beth a funny and decisive lady with a hearty laugh, and by a nice young Englishman who was a skilled bike mechanic. We were a group of 9, Belgians, Australians, average age of 50–60, all very friendly. The tour was very well organized:, nice hotels, a tasty light picnic-style lunch at midday and, in the evening, the best restaurant available in each village or town. The route was varied—just keep in mind there may be a bit of rain. One guide was always riding along with us. Only electric bikes were used; they were well maintained, although some were a little bit worn. We had a wonderful trip and can recommend it.

Being part of the A2O adventure was truly a dream come true for me, and the Escape by Cycle team made it possible to complete a journey I never imagined I could accomplish. Our tour guides—Ian, Tom, Laurene, and Laurent—were exceptional throughout the trip, offering outstanding support, encouragement, and expertise every step of the way. Their detailed briefings before each cycling segment helped us clearly understand the terrain ahead, allowing us to ride with confidence and fully enjoy the scenery, the challenge, and the wonderful camaraderie within our group. The team was highly attentive and adaptable to our group’s needs, ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and well-paced experience for everyone. The thoughtfully planned picnic lunches, relaxing tea breaks, and unforgettable gourmet dinners added a special touch to the journey. The accommodations exceeded our expectations, and we thoroughly enjoyed every hotel and motel stay along the route. I would highly recommend Escape by Cycle to anyone planning a cycling tour in New Zealand’s South Island—whether it’s the A2O adventure or a tour through the mountains. Their professionalism, care, and commitment to creating an exceptional experience truly set them apart

What an awesome experience. Ian and Sam were awesome guides, never too busy to help and answer questions. They also took us on an amazing 'secret' ride. This is the second time I've ridden with "Escape By Cycle" and definitely wont be my last. All over a very professional company. Thank you so much.

We have done three tours now with Escape By Cycle and all were brilliant. They take care of every detail and arrange great food, accommodation and extras. It is a treat to tour with them - highly recommend!! Looking forward to our fourth in 2027!

My wife Steph and I did this ride with a group of friends and it was absolutely incredible. Every day delivered something different, from cruising along lake edges and rivers to riding through remote high-country valleys surrounded by huge mountains. The scenery around Queenstown is next level and the trails are beautifully built, making the riding enjoyable without needing to be an elite cyclist. A huge thank you to our guides, Tom and Lauren, who made the whole experience as special as it was. Their hospitality, organisation and genuine care for the group were outstanding. Nothing was ever too much trouble, from the beautiful picnic lunches they prepared for us to the way they looked after every detail along the way. They created such a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere and really made the trip memorable. Steph and I would highly recommend it. 🚴‍♂️🏔️

We had the best time cycling from Mt Cook to the ocean. Stunning scenery. Fun & knowledgeable guides , Beth & Sid, nothing was ever a problem. Such great organisation & so much food to keep us fuelled along the way! I think I gained weight during the week!

Thanks for a wonderful week! The whole trip was superbly organised, from picking us in Queenstown to dropping us back there. We didn't have to plan anything beforehand, the only ask being that we put in some time riding our bikes ahead of the trip (take this seriously - you don't want to be a novice rider on this trip!) Laurent and Tom were not just our cycling guides but also superb caterers. They cooked our dinner on the first night (local salmon) and produced tasty lunches every day in beautiful remote settings. Other evenings were fun, at local restaurants. When the terrain was a bit tricky, Tom and Laurent briefed us on how to handle it, and were always there to support us. I love that you have sent us lots of photos taken by our guides. I didn't always remember to stop and take photos, so these will be a beautiful memory.

Clutha Canyons our third tour with Escape by Cycle. Really enjoyed the Roxburgh Gorge both the ride and the stories of the gold mining past on the jet boat tour. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, we were lucky to have Ian the company owner as one of our guides. He certainly leads by good example. On all tours food and accommodation seems to be the best available.Great picnic lunches and morning and afternoon teas also provided. It is also good to have the van available to ride in for those people not up for the ride of the day. We are planning on doing the 4th tour (West Coast) with Escape by Cycle next year.

Escape by Cycle Alps 2 Ocean tour in New Zealand and it was absolutely incredible. The scenery is beyond words — snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, wide open landscapes — just stunning every single day. The distance is not for the faint of heart, but the sense of accomplishment at the end is huge and completely worth it. Tom and Laurent were exceptional guides. They made the ride feel fun and comfortable, kept the group energized, and somehow always knew exactly what we needed to stay happy and ready to ride. Great tour company… exceptional guides! An unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!

Went on the Alps 2 Ocean tour with Escape by Cycle February 2026, and it was fantastic. We were totally looked after everyday, which allowed us all to just enjoy the riding and the experience stress free. The 2 tour guides were fantastic and made sure we had everything we needed. All accommodation was excellent.

An EPIC experience with Escape by Cycle on our recent Alps2ocean cycle trip. Everyday was packed with drool-worthy views, fabulous trails, amazing and plentiful food. Every single aspect of this trip was perfect, the accommodation, the support, the food, the organisation and probably most importantly the guides. I’m not usually a group, or guided trip sort of person but I am now a convert. It never felt over-organised, it never felt like I didn’t have an input into my day, in fact I would not like to do this trip without the organisation of Escape by Cycle. I was free to ride, eat, sleep on repeat everyday. When a section of the trail was closed due to recent flooding our guides were on to it and organising us around that part of the trail. When we had rough sections of tracks that claimed a few tubes (in our group) and eventually a tyre the guides worked fast and hard to minimise the impact and get us on our way quickly. The food was always fresh, packed with local in season fruits. The accommodation was delightful and it was fabulous to experience the local towns and businesses. My thanks to Tom and Laurene for being fabulous, attentive, funny and capable guides that were the icing on this cake. I’m already planning my next trip with Escape by Cycle.

We had a wonderful A2O ride with every day presenting stunning and diverse scenery. This trip exceeded expectations with hosts at our accommodation making us feel welcome and comfortable and guides whom we regarded as friends. Every detail was considered by Beth and Laurent who went above and beyond to ensure we had a fun filled adventure with treats, snacks and delicious meals. Thank you for a delightful trip.

We recently completed the West Coast Wilderness Trail and could not recommend Escape by Cycle highly enough for the excellent guides, equipment, accommodation, and food - all before even mentioning the spectacular scenery of the beautiful West Coast! We are a family of 5 with teenagers, and the e-bikes added so much fun to the journey, as did all the different side trips such as speed boat in Haast with amazing Amber, tree tops walk (in the rain for us!), evening adventure to see sunsets and glow worms, and visit to ShantyTown! David is an absolutely exceptional guide, so enthusiastic about the trails and so knowledgeable about the area, and Pete managed the organisation to a tee - both went out of their way to ensure the trip was a memorable experience for us as well as our lovely fellow travellers. We always felt in great hands. This was an incredible family adventure and one we will all remember. Thanks David, Pete and Escape by Cycle.

Absolutely phenomenal cycling tour! We were group of 17 people cycling Alps2O with different fitness levels. From day one, everything exceeded expectations—perfectly curated routes, stunning scenery, top-notch bikes, and an incredibly supportive and friendly crew. The guides were outstanding, the logistics flawless, and the overall vibe was fun, professional, and inspiring and they were genuinely passionate about what they do. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, making the entire experience smooth, safe, and unforgettable. This wasn’t just a cycling tour—it was an adventure of a lifetime. I can’t recommend this company highly enough and would 100% ride with them again! Huge thanks to the entire team Ian, Tom, Laurent, Laurene for creating such a world-class experience. Highly, highly recommended!

Can't recommend this trip highly enough (Around the Mountain and Queenstown Trail). 4 of us joined 8 others late last year and had a fantastic time. We were lucky enough to have Ian with us for the whole trip..but all of his staff went "the extra mile" always to make our trip totally memorable..cycles, itinerary, accommodation, food (including picnic lunches, morning and afternoon teas!). I completely recommend this trip and operator....and we are all in our 70s!!! Bring on the next one!!

Well this is our second tour with these guys and again we had an outstanding time. Cycling around the South Island is a wonderful experience but Escape by Cycle turns it into a memory for the ages. This year we did the Around the Mountains & Queenstown tour and it’s a wonderful mix of great scenery and wonderful adventures and experiences. The places we stayed are carefully curated to provide a great experience and become as much a part of the experience as the stunning scenery we cycle through. The accommodation is always excellent and the food is outrageous. They have upgraded the e-bikes so you have no concerns about battery levels and the bikes are comfortable and well geared for the terrain. The guides provide constant support, encouragement, advice and make sure you are having a great time. It’s a week of stress free adventure!

This is Eric, One of the members of the cycling team from Taiwan. Our leader was Tom. I would like to let you know we did spend 2 and half weeks of happy hours on the Southern Island. This was a very unique bike tour that we didn't expect. Your people David, Peter, and Sid did great job. They were professional and were very considerate as a host. They had done their best to make us comfortable through the whole journey. All of us forgot the age during the trip. The winding trail in the forest , the lupin flower around the lakes, the peaceful pastures, the sound of the pebble shot out from the bike tires, the thrill riding on the wet bumpy hillside. the taste of the courtesy beer at Craig's OLD SCHOOL lounge, all those become beautiful memories in my life. I really appreciate the excellent service your company provided. Please pass our appreciation to these friends when you see them. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to having another bike tour with you guys soon. With all the best

My husband and I just completed the Alps to Ocean bike ride and it was fantastic! As a relative new-comer to e-bike trips it was quite challenging for me in parts navigating various rough surfaces but I really enjoyed the experience. The scenery that unfolded every day was absolutely breathtaking. Our guides, Beth and Tom, made a formidable team who went above and beyond to make our trip the best it could be. Nothing was a problem to them; they really made it memorable for each and every one of us. Our group was very compatible with active, like-minded people who enjoyed a laugh and a good time. We would thoroughly recommend Escape by Cycle to anyone looking for an exceptional adventure.

Just Completed the A2O this November, so much fun, Escape By Cycles are magnificent, they took care of every aspect and made this a true trip of a lifetime, thoroughly recommend this to all Bike Riders, thank you so much Beth & Tom, you guys were, and are, magnificent, coming back to do the Wilderness ride, see you then.

Jane and I took the Alps to Ocean Tour and the Escape by Cycle team were magnificent! Our fantastic expert guides / hosts were Tom and Beth... they were professional, knowledgeable informative and loads of fun. The bikes were the best and Health & Safety was a priority, but the food and accommodation were exemplary. Totally recommend this organisation if you are thinking of taking a cycle trip in NZ! 👍