Peace of Mind Policies

At Sacred Rides, our aim is to ensure your entire experience with us, from the moment you book your Ride to the moment you set foot back on home turf, is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Which is why we’ve put in place - and stand firmly behind - the following Peace-of-Mind Policies, with the goal of maximizing your happiness and minimizing your worries:

1. Our Ride Satisfaction Guarantee

If for any reason you aren't 100% satisfied with your Sacred Rides experience, let us know the reason(s) and we'll give you a free Ride. It’s that simple. If you still aren't 100% satisfied after your free Ride, we'll refund all of the original money you paid to us.

2. Guaranteed Departures

Once you book your spot(s), you're going! This allows you the freedom to start looking for flights and make other arrangements right away. Contrary to many other tour operators, we will never cancel a trip due to low numbers or other passenger cancellations.

3. 14-Day Risk-Free Booking Window

After putting down a deposit, you can cancel at any point during the first 14 days after booking and get a 100% refund.This buys you 2 weeks to sort out flights, vacation time, etc. and not have to worry about someone else taking your spot(s). 

4. Lifetime Deposits

Our Lifetime Deposit allows any of our Riders (i.e. clients) forced to delay a departure or wanting to switch destinations altogether the ability to apply their initial deposit towards a later scheduled date or another Ride at no extra charge. As long as you give us 60 days notice, your deposit will be good forever, whether you use it for the same trip or transfer it to another one.   A Lifetime Deposit has no expiration date and can be used for any departure – provided room is still available. Simply put, we want to ensure you can enjoy the Sacred Rides experience you want, at a time that works best for you.

A Lifetime Deposit is also transferable, meaning that you can transfer your deposit to another Rider as a gift. You can even choose to donate your deposit to our sister non-profit, Bikes Without Borders. We’ll then match the value of your donation! For full details on our Peace of Mind Policies and Lifetime Deposit policy, please CLICK HERE. 

Note:  Any cancellations made within 60 days of the scheduled departure will be treated as a passenger cancellation, in which case the entire payment, including deposit will be forfeited and cannot be applied to another departure.  We highly recommend you purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance.   We allow one transfer of your Lifetime Deposit  deposit, if you choose to transfer a second time, there is a $250 USD transfee fee. 

5. COMPREHENSIVE AND LIGHTNING-QUICK SUPPORT

The moment you book a Ride with us, you'll have a Rider Happiness Manager assigned to you. He/she is responsible for helping you with all your questions and trip planning. In your Rider Dashboard you'll have a Logistics/FAQ tab with tons of information and FAQ related to your Ride. Have a question that's not answered there? Just post it with one click and we'll respond within 24 hours (Monday-Friday). 

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To learn more about our Peace-of-Mind Policies and our commitment to you, click here. 

Ride Starting Point

On Day 1, we will be offering airport pick-up at 10:00 a.m. from the Blenheim Airport - please meet at the outside loading zone on the Arrivals Level.

We do not offer airport pick-up prior to Day 1 or outside of the scheduled times listed above.

For North American travelers, we highly recommend arriving in Blenheim a day or two earlier to adjust to the time difference and catch up on needed rest after the long flight.  If you are arriving prior to Day 1, we suggest staying at The Blenheim Palms Motel.  Use this link to book pre-trip hotel nights. 

If you are arriving outside of our scheduled airport pick-up times, a taxi or shuttle can be arranged easily on arrival. 

Make sure to communicate with the shuttle service that you will need a shuttle large enough to transport your bike box.

For those who have already arrived prior to Day 1, the group will be meeting on Day 1 in the lobby of The Blenheim Palms Motel between 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for bike assembly.

Ride Ending Point

This Ride ends on the morning of Day 12, in Queenstown, New Zealand.

On Day 12, your guides will be doing drop offs at the Queenstown Airport at 10:00 a.m. or at your hotel of choice in Queenstown by 11:00 a.m.
 

If staying a few extra days, we recommend staying at the Crowne Plaza. Use this link to book post-trip hotel nights. 

Drop-offs will be offered on Day 12 only.

Arrival Airport

You will need to fly into Blenheim Airport (BHE) and out of Queenstown Airport ( ZQN).

We recommend flying with Air New Zealand.

Flights to/from the starting point

We do not book international flights for our clients (some Rides do, however, include in-country flights).

Great tools  to view different flight options at the best available rates are:

Google Flights

Kayak

Fitness and Skill Requirements

Ensuring you are on a Ride that's right for you, and ensuring you are ready for the physical and technical demands of a Ride, is of utmost importance to us. It helps ensure that you will be riding with other people of a similar skill and fitness level as you, and that you will be able to make the most of the experience and enjoy it to its full potential.

Here's how you can assess whether or not you're ready fo a particular Ride, and how we can help:

• We've developed a 9-level Skill and Fitness Rating System with the help of some of our most senior guides.  Click HERE to review the Skill and Fitness Rating System. Though we recognize this is a very objective process, you may want to ask a friend who rides with you regularly to assess where you fit in, or Contact Us with a detailed description of your riding experience, and we'd be happy to help with your self-assessment.

• We have several photos and videos available for each Ride that depict what can be expected on a particular Ride. Many of those videos were taken by our guides, staff and/or past clients on actual trips, and therefore showcase some of the trails you'd be riding and the level of skill required to handle those trails. Be sure to watch most of the videos available for the Ride(s) you are interested in, and assess whether or not the riding is appropriate for you.

• When booking a Ride, we ask each Rider to tell us about their mountain biking experience, and to let us know if they have ever traveled with their mountain bike. The answers are reviewed by our staff and provide valuable insight as to whether or not the desired Ride is a good fit for them.

• We follow up with a phone call if we think a Rider might not be quite up to the challenge (or might be 'over qualified') for certain Rides and discuss their skill level and fitness in detail to discover whether they are indeed a good fit, or if another Ride might be more suitable

Please pay close attention to the skill and fitness ratings for the Ride(s) you're interested in, and be honest in your self-assessment. For more information on skill and fitness ratings, please click here.

Ride Add-ons

We offer several add-ons (like mountain bike rentals, post-ride massages and single room upgrades) to help complement your Ride. See the add-ons tab to see pricing for each available add-on.

To book your Ride add-ons, you can either:

a) select them when you make your initial booking;

b) add them to your account via your Rider Dashboard at any time prior to start date (restrictions apply on the timing of certain items)

Traveling with your bike

If you've never traveled with your bike, don't worry - it's much easier than you think!   Your local bike shop may have options to rent a bike bag or case, or if you're planning on going on more than one bike trip, we recommend investing in a quality.  Our guides recommend any of the following products:

EVOC bike bag  | DAKINE bike bag  | TULE  bike bag

For tips on packing your bike, watch this handy video we made just for you!

Bike Damage Disclaimer

While participating in a Sacred Rides trip, the Rider assumes all risk and expense related to loss or damage to the mountain bike, whether rented from a third party or owned by the Rider. This assumption of risk includes loss or damage due to transportation, theft, vandalism, accident, misuse or other events leading to the loss or damage of the mountain bike.

We recommend that Riders purchase their own insurance to cover their bikes, either through your homeowners or tenants insurance plan. It is uncommon for regular travel insurance policies to cover the cost of high-end, expensive bikes if damaged, lost or stolen.

General Bike Rental Information

If you don't feel like hauling your own bike around the globe, renting is an alternative option. However, as our rental bike fleets change often, we are unable to guarantee special requests, promise a particular brand, model or wheel size.   If you are attached to the look, feel, geometry and specs of your bike, we highly recommend bringing it with you to ensure the best riding experience. 

Note: If you are renting, and would prefer to use your own pedals and/or saddle, bring them with you and we'll swap them out when you arrive.  Our guides will have the required tools.
 

For bike rental pricing, please visit the Ride Add-Ons tab.  Note that a small number of our Rides include bike rentals in the pricing (this would be mentioned in the 'What's Included' tab).

Assembling your bike when you arrive

If you've never assembled your bike, not to worry! Our guides will be on hand to assist. 

Bike Rentals

Please note:  If you're renting a bike, you will be required to put down a $250 damage deposit and complete a rental bike form  on Day 1. 

What’s the Ideal Bike for this Trip?

For this Ride, you'll want to have an all-mountain trail bike with 5 to 6 inches of travel and 2.3 tires with aggressive treads.   There are a few challenging climbs on this trip so you don't want to be slugging a tank uphill; likewise, you don't want a 20-lb. cross-country race machine with 3" travel that will get thrashed on the more technical stuff. 

A well maintained, well functioning mountain bike with front suspension is mandatory.

We ask that all Riders be respectful of the group, and show up with the appropriate bike to minimize bike related delays before or during riding.

LUGGAGE LIMIT:

There is a limit to 1 large suitcase and 1 soft-cover bike carrying bag per Rider.

There is limited space in the van and trailer, which means bike bags need to be couriered down to Queenstown. BIKES BAGS must be SOFT BIKE BAGS, example: Evoc Bag pr PIKA etc. or a cardboard box. Hard cover bags will be charged an extra 65$ NZD to guides upon arrival. If you do not have a soft covered bike bag, you will have to be prepared to cover the additional costs of courier services. Fees will be paid directly to the guides on DAY 1. Thank you for your understanding.

 

PLEASE DO NOT BRING EXTRA BIKE PARTS OR TOOLS TO NEW ZEALAND:

To save weight and space in the van, we ask all Riders to leave all bike parts and tools at home, with the exception of 2 derailleur hangers and 1 pair of brake pads if bringing your own bike (the weight of bike parts and tools x 12 Riders adds up fast!).  Your Guides are fully stocked with everything you’ll need and are happy to share their tools and parts with you.

Please Note: 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 bikes 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.

Watch this video of actual footage from one of our Heli-biking trips ==>> https://www.instagram.com/p/_8Ia4lHg85/?taken-by=sacredridesnz

Weather and Clothing

4 seasons in one day, and we mean it! New Zealand is situated in the roaring 40’s and the weather is gnarly. Daytime temperatures in summer can range from 15-38 degrees C. Evenings can cool off quite a bit, and range between 6-20 degrees C.  The weather changes fast here, from hot and sunny to snowy, rainy and freezing within minutes.   Please bring clothing for all seasons, especially a wind-proof jacket, a good rain jacket, a wool hat and gloves and plenty of warm layers (see packing list below). 

Ride Specific Packing List

• 25 L - 35 L Backpack for heli-biking backcountry overnight (not required if your hydration pack is 35+ L capacity).

• Sleeping bag good for 0 degrees Celsius

(Please Note: you will be required to mountain bike with your sleeping bag, therefore you MUST use a compression/stuff sack to pack it down small enough to fit into your backpack).  

Watch this 44-second video explaining “why you need a compression sack!” ==>> https://youtu.be/6AnokcB371w

Please Note: Sleeping bag rentals are available through the Ride-Add Ons tab.

LUGGAGE LIMIT:

There is a limit to 1 large suitcase and 1 soft-cover bike carrying bag per Rider.     

As storage space is limited while traveling with the van and trailer, we request all Riders pack their bikes in soft covered bags (as opposed to the bulkier, hard-cover box). To save space along the journey, all bike bags will be couriered to the endpoint and will not be available until our final destination. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING EXTRA BIKE PARTS OR TOOLS TO NEW ZEALAND:

To save weight and space in the van, we ask all Riders to leave all bike parts and tools at home with the exception of  2 spare derailleur hangers for your bike and 1 spare pair of brake pads (the weight of bike parts and tools x 12 Riders adds up fast!). Your Guides are fully stocked with everything you’ll need and are happy to share their tools and parts with you.

General Packing List

Below is a comprehensive list for you to use as a guide only. These are items we suggest you consider bringing regardless of the Ride you are on - please also check the Ride-specific packing list above (if applicable), as there may be items that are specific to your Ride .

In efforts to pack appropriately, we encourage you to understand your destination's climate during the month(s) you are visiting.  We also encourage you to refer to the Itinerary tab to understand the activities you will be taking part in.

If you need a few items for your ride, check out your local bike shop or shop online at  Worldwide Cyclery.

You know your personal needs better than anyone so please pack accordingly. The following are suggestions based on our experiences in various destinations.

On the bike:

● jersey tops (mix of short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve  and long sleeve)

● quick-dry cycling shorts with a quality chamois (padding)

● full-finger bike gloves  (2 pairs recommended)

● cycling socks (synthetic or lightweight wool. We recommend Merino)

● arm and leg warmers

● helmet

● rugged yet versatile riding shoes  (for your choice of clipless pedals or flats)

● knee and elbow pads 

● if you ride clipless and you are renting a bike, please bring your pedals and shoes   (Rental bikes  are equipped with flat pedal)

On and off the bike:

● rain jacket (Goretex with pit-zips)

● windbreaker (lightweight and form-fitting)

● sweater (fleece and form-fitting mid layer)

● quick-dry weatherproof pants with zippered pockets

● top and bottom base layers (synthetic or lightweight wool. We recommend Icebreaker)

● sunglasses (clear lens and polarized lens)

● backpack with hydration system (2-3L water capacity)

● cycling water bottle (with squirt lid)

● camera (phone, GoPro, point and shoot)

● ear warmer (toque or headband)

Chill time:

● swimwear

● flip flops

● small camp towel (to use for swimming etc.)

● comfortable, casual clothes for relaxing in (such as jeans, t-shirt, hooded sweater)

● down-filled coat

● trail shoes or hiking boots

● flashlight or headlamp

Personal and First Aid:

● toiletries i.e. toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, soap, feminine hygiene products etc.

● sunscreen (oil-free for sport)

● anti-bacterial wipes

● anti-bacterial gel

● chamois creme

● first-aid kit (ibuprofen, band-aids, Polysporin, tweezers)

Random stuff you don't realize you need, well, until you need it:

● electrical and/or duct tape 

● international travel power adapter and converter (if required)

● zip-lock bags

● zip ties

● mesh laundry bag

● eyemask and ear plugs (if you're a light sleeper)

● alarm clock

Tools to Bring

We recommend bringing the following tools with you. Rest assured your guides will have a full tool kit, but it's a good idea to have the following items with you in case of trailside breakdowns:

• multitool (preferably with chainbreaker)

• tire levers

• small bottle of chain lube

• small tire pump (not a floor pump)

Spare Parts for Your Bike

Although there may be some parts available locally, we recommend you bring the following parts with you to avoid availability problems in case of broken parts:

• Rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)

• Front and rear brake pads (1 set of each is sufficient)

• Extra chain if your chain is more than 6 months old

• 2-4 spare tubes (our guides can't realistically carry enough 26", 27.5", and 29" tubes for everyone)

• 2 extra spokes

• Any rare parts that might be hard to find locally (Shimano and SRAM are generally available in all our locations, but Magura levers, for instance, might not be available everywhere)

N.B. If you are renting a bike, the above is not necessary.

Visas and Entry Requirements

All travelers require a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). For more information, visit the World Travel Guide website.

Food

9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 3 dinners are included.

Your Guides will make restaurant recommendations for dinner, and we'll encourage the group to dine together to share stories and raise a glass!

You should budget $28-$35 NZD per dinner in local restaurants, not including drinks.

Vaccination

Please visit the Travel Health website and navigate to your destination country for information about any vaccinations you may require prior to traveling, or please visit your local travel clinic for the most up to date information.

Currency

The New Zealand currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). For the latest currency exchange information use the Yahoo! Currency Exchange Calculator. You'll be able to take out money at ATMs along the way, but we recommend bringing $200 NZD along with you for the first few days.

Best Way to Use/Get Local Currency

Generally, the best way to get local currency is to use local ATMs.  Your bank will usually charge you a small fee to do this, and you may also get charged a fee by the local bank, but you will generally get a reasonable exchange rate (as opposed to local banks or money exchange desks).  Check with your bank or credit card provider regarding out-of-country withdrawal and exchange fees, and ask them for recommendations on how to minimize those fees.

Since you're getting charged fees we recommend taking out a few days worth of local currency at a time, and an amount that you would feel comfortable carrying around (e.g. $100-$200). No point in taking out $500 to avoid $5 of ATM fees.

If feasible, we recommend getting a day or two worth of local currency before you arrive (either at your local bank, or your home airport), so that you're covered for a day or two upon arrival.

Useful Links

For additional information about travelling to New Zealand, visit www.newzealand.com

Cancellations

You may cancel your reservation and get 100% of your money back within 14 days of booking. After that 2-week window, our lifetime deposit policy comes into effect. For more on our cancellation policy, please visit  http://www.sacredrides.com/cancellation-policy.

Travel Insurance

Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all of our trips. If you have your own travel medical insurance it needs to:

a) cover evacuation (e.g. air evacuation) and hospital costs while in other countries 
b) cover mountain biking trips (some policies include mountain biking in their list of 'extreme' sports that are not covered).

We strongly recommend also getting insurance that   covers the following: 

• Trip cancellation up to 100% of your trip cost
• Equipment protection for delay, loss, theft and damage (if traveling with your bike/expensive equipment)
• Trip interruption up to 100% of trip cost
• Medical expenses up to $50,000
• Emergency medical transportation up to $1,000,000

Please note that our cancellation policy is strict. If you decide not to purchase cancellation/interruption insurance, and then get hurt or sick before or during your Ride, please don't ask us for a refund.

For travelers from around the world, we recommend World Nomads. 

For U.S. travelers, we recommend Global Rescue (Individual Medical Plan with Signature Travel Insurance Plan)

NOTE:   If you are traveling with us to Peru or Nepal,   you may need to select a travel insurance policy that covers mountain biking at elevations higher than   3000 metres.   

In Peru, the highest elevation you'll be at is 4445 metres. In Nepal, the highest elevation you'll be at is 4300 metres. 

Emergency Contacts

If your loved ones need to contact you during your trip for emergency reasons, they can reach us during office hours at the following numbers:

Dialing within North America: 1 (888) 423-7849

Dialing outside of North America: +1 (647) 999-7955

If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message, with phone number and your email address and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Should you or your family require local contact with our New Zealand team, please contact:

NAME: Ben

PHONE: +64 21 8090 60

EMAIL: newzealand@sacredrides.com

NAME: Cristina

PHONE: +64 22 107 1534

EMAIL: newzealand@sacredrides.com

Safety and Security

New Zealand is a very safe country, especially in the South Island. However, certain precautions should be followed, as with all foreign travel. To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, travelers checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.

Tipping

Recognizing and compensating our guiding team for the level of service you've received is a personal matter. We pay our guides very fair wages by industry standards but given the seasonality of their employment, they do welcome tips to help supplement their income (and recognize their hard work).

At the end of the ride, if you feel you have received outstanding service and that your guides have contributed to a highly enjoyable trip, we encourage you to provide them with a tip of your choosing. We know that tipping may not be customary for everyone, but please know they are highly appreciated in the guiding industry.

A typical gratuity varies between 2% - 5% of your Ride price per guide, depending on your level of satisfaction. e.g. $4000 trip = $80-$200 per guide. Guides are grateful for tips in USD or the local currency.  You may wish to tip guides individually based on your time spent interacting with each guide, or provide the Lead Guide with a tip to be divided evenly amongst the team.  

OTHER EXPENSES

Aside from some meals, there are no required additional expenses for this trip, but you might like to take spending money for such things as souvenir shopping and nightlife.

INTERNET

Wifi is available on most days. NOTE: The wifi in NZ is not high-speed or reliable in some locations. Please expect to be without internet for some days. 

LAUNDRY

Laundry is available at our accommodations on days 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11. 

LUGGAGE LIMIT

There is a limit to 1 large suitcase and 1 soft-cover bike carrying bag per Rider.     

As storage space is limited while traveling with the van and trailer, we request all Riders pack their bikes in soft covered bags (as opposed to the bulkier, hard-cover box). To save space along the journey, all bike bags will be couriered to the end point and will not be available until our final destination. Thank you for your understanding.
  

If you are travelling for longer and have extra luggage, you will need to arrange to send extra luggage to Queenstown at your own expense.   Our vehicle can only transport so much, as there are lots of steep hills and passes to climb. The kitchen sink will have to stay at home for this trip!

Courier Bags can be arranged on Day 1 with your guides, and paid on that same day to have them shipped to Queenstown.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING EXTRA BIKE PARTS OR TOOLS TO NEW ZEALAND:

To save weight and space in the van, we ask all Riders to leave all bike parts and tools at home (the weight of bike parts and tools x 12 Riders adds up fast!). Unless it is a tool very specific to your bike, please do not bring it. Your Guides are fully stocked with everything you’ll need and are happy to share their tools and parts with you. Only bring 2 spare derailleur hangers and 1 pair of brake pads for your bike.   If you're renting, you do not need to bring these items.