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Along the Garden Route to Cape Town Tour
offered by supplier M16394 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 19
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 15
people
Destination(s):
South Africa
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
Season: September - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 3490 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 3490 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Highlights:
- Game viewing in open Safari vehicle in Addo Elephant National Park; at home of the Big 5
- On tracks covered by rain forest to the beautiful beach of Nature’s Valley
- Stay over in Township
- Visit an Ostrich Farm and the famous Cango Caves
- Cycling across the empty spaces of the Klein Karoo
- Bike through the wine lands around Stellenbosch with a wine tasting
- Hike onto famous Table Mountain
- Per bike to popular Cape Of Good Hope and Chapman’s Peak Drive
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: On your arrival in Port Elizabeth you are greeted by your tour guide. With the bikes in a trailer we travel in the back-up vehicle to a beautiful lodge situated in the Zuurberg mountains. On a game drive in the nearby Addo Elephant Park you will hopefully see elephant, antelope, rhino and even lions!
Day 2: We drive to the start of the Tsitsikamma mountain range, the starting point of our cycling tour to Cape Town. One last check of the bicycles and we’re off on the first leg of our trip. We cycle along pretty back roads with a backdrop of the Tsitsikamma mountains to our comfortable guest house (45 km, tar). Includes: (B), (L).
Days 3-4: We cycle along a forested plateau, before descending to the Stormsriver Mouth on the wild, rugged coast. After lunch we continue along the plateau and through the beautiful forests of Nature’s Valley. Here the dense Tsitsikamma Forest invites closer inspection by foot. In close proximity is one of the most beautiful and peaceful breaches on the Garden Route. We spend two nights here in a comfortable holiday house. (70 km, tar/forest track/dirt road). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Today we do an unforgettable hike around the romantically wild Robberg Peninsula (1-4 hours, depending on route). In the afternoon the back-up vehicle takes us to a comfortable guest house in Knysna. Knysna is famous for its "Heads", two steeply towering cliffs which mark the entrance to Knysna Lagoon. At dinner time we can sample the local "Mitchell`s Beer". Includes: (B), (L).
Day 6: We explore the gorgeous forests around Knysna by bike. We cycle to the coast through forested valleys where the tree-ferns are meters high. With some luck we might see the "Knysna Loerie", an indigenous, brightly colored type of parrot. We also see twisted trees in the forest, evidence of the small population of elephants that lives here. We can choose between routes and various grades of difficulty. By late afternoon we are back at the guest house in Knysna. (24/42 km, forest tracks/ logging trails and mountain bike trails). Includes: (B), (L).
Routes A and B separate here:
* Route A:
Day 7: Today is solitary - and steep. We leave the coast and cycle on good tracks through the dense Knysna Forest up to the Prince Alfred’s Pass (1050 m). We spend the night at a farm near Uniondale in comfortable chalets. (42 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: On the other side of the pass the landscape changes: We cycle through the dry Klein Karoo, an impressively vast, bizarre steppe and rock landscape. We arrive in the small village of De Rust. Here we are accommodated in the private houses of local colored people, a unique opportunity to experience the new South Africa up close. Our hosts will prepare a typical meal and afterwards there is singing accompanied by guitars. (92 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: We cycle along the imposing Swartberg Mountains to the 60 m high "Rust en Vrede" waterfall, where we eat our lunch in the cool shade of the trees. From there it is not very far to the mountain holiday resort where we move into our comfortable chalets. How about jumping in the cool swimming pool as compensation for the hot bike ride? (42 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: We visit the nearby Cango Caves and an ostrich farm. We continue through the beautiful Schoemanns Gorge to Oudtshoorn, where we stay in a comfortable hotel. We relax by the pool, do a tour of the town or visit the interesting Nel Museum. (35 km, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 11: First on asphalt and later on dirt tracks, with the peaks of the majestic Swartberg in the background, we cycle through a beautiful, isolated valley, past ostrich farms to the idyllic wine-making town of Calitzdorp where we are accommodated in a comfortable guest house. (79 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Leaving Calitzdorp after lunch we go over the Huisriver Pass (655 m) in the gorgeous Seweweekspoort Gorge with its 800 m high cliff walls. Heading in the direction of Ladismith we arrive at our idyllic and peaceful guesthouse situated in the 2000 m high Swartberg Mountains. (78 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: We cycle on good tracks through the sparse expanse of the Klein Karoo. We traverse a dry valley before we reach the top of the Ouberg Pass (950 m). On the other side we arrive in Montagu with its charming colonial-style houses – and we once again have asphalt under our bikes. We spent the night in a comfortable guest house. (115 km, dirt roads/tar). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 14: After breakfast we do a short hike through a rugged gorge to the hot springs, very beneficial for sore muscles. We cycle on through the lovely Kogmanns Gorge, after which the landscape opens up: we continue through wine lands to Robertson, where we spend the night in rustic chalets on the Breede River. En route we will visit a wine estate where we will sample the excellent local wine. (53 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 15: Amidst the impressive scenery of the Hex River Mountains we cycle through the Breede River valley to Worcester. Cycling past wine estates, we finally arrive at the idyllic Bainskloof Gorge, where we cycle over the pass of the same name (600 m). If it becomes hot en route, we can swim in one of the natural river pools. With stunning views of the Cape wine lands we arrive after a long descent in the wine-making town of Wellington, where we are accommodated in comfortable chalets. (105 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 16: We continue in the back-up vehicle to Stellenbosch, the leafy University town close to Cape Town. The Village Museum provides some insight into the history of the second-oldest town in South Africa. We continue to the coastal town of Kleinmond, where we unload the bikes and cycle along a unique stretch of coastline to Gordon’s Bay with the Cape Peninsula in sight. Late in the afternoon we load the bikes and head for our comfortable hotel/guest house in Cape Town, where we spend three nights (50 km, tar). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 17: In the morning we visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and afterwards walk, weather permitting, onto Table Mountain (4 hours). The views of Cape Town lying 1000 m below are breathtaking. We take the cable car down the mountain. In the afternoon we walk to Green market Square, the Parliament Gardens, the Cultural History Museum, the Castle, the City Hall and the Malay Quarter. The rest of the afternoon is free for your own activities. We provide tips on things to do and see in the Mother City. The Waterfront houses countless shops, good restaurants and the famous Two Ocean Aquarium! Includes: (B).
Day 18: We travel in the back-up vehicle along the Indian Ocean to the penguin colony at Boulders and continue on to the Cape of Good Hope. We unload the bikes and cycle to the other side of the Cape Peninsula, along the Atlantic, back to Cape Town. The coastal road along Chapman’s Peak and Hout Bay is rightly considered one of the most breathtaking in South Africa, one of the reasons that the popular Argus Cycle Tour takes place here every year, with more than 35.000 participants from around the world. (62 km, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 19: Today you have the unique opportunity to take a tour through various townships and visit a kindergarten project in the township of Khayelitsha which is supported by our company. You will get to know the largest township in Cape Town and the people who live here. In the afternoon we transfer to Cape Town International airport and take leave of South Africa. Includes: (B).
* Route B:
Day 7: We drive along the Knysna Lagoon in the back-up vehicle to today’s starting point, the Lake District. We cycle through the Lake District and later we continue through beautiful forested valleys on the historic Cape Road to George, where we stay over at a peaceful guest house with views of the Outeniqua Mountains. (55 km tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: We cycle over the historic Montagu Pass (745 m) into the interior. It is well worth the effort for the spectacular views stretching to the coast. Here the landscape changes quickly. From the evergreen coast we enter the Klein Karoo where Erika and succulents grow. We cycle through the "Paardepoort", before we spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool at an ostrich farm. We continue on to the "ostrich capital" of Oudtshoorn. We are accommodated in a comfortable hotel. (61 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 9: After a city tour and a visit to the worthwhile Nel Museum our bus takes us to the nearby Cango Caves and we visit an ostrich farm. In the afternoon we travel to the village of De Rust, where we stay in a township in the private houses of local colored people, a unique opportunity to discover the new South Africa up close. Our hosts will prepare us a typical meal and afterwards there is singing accompanied by guitars. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Back on the bikes, we leave the Klein Karoo over the Robinson Pass (860 m) and return to the cooler coast, arriving at Mossel Bay, where we stay in a guest house with beautiful views over the bay. (92 km, tar). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 11: The Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay offers a glimpse into the exploration of sea routes and the discovery of Africa. The beach offers a last chance to swim before we reach Cape Town, as we now travel into the interior by bus to just past Albertinia, from where we cycle along the Langeberg Mountains through hilly farmland until we reach Riversdale, where we are accommodated in a simple country hotel. In the evening we are invited to a barbecue on a farm situated at the foot of a mountain which, due to being shaped as a woman’s head, is nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty". (50 km, tar/dirt roads). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: We cycle on along the Langeberg Mountains on a mountain trail to Heidelberg and then predominantly on asphalt to Swellendam. The third-oldest town in South Africa is idyllically situated at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountains. We sleep in thatched cottages under ancient oak trees. (95 km, tar). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: We cycle through the wide Breede River valley past Bonnievale and through vineyards to Robertson, where we are accommodated for the next two nights in comfortable chalets on a wine farm situated on the Breede River. First we visit a wine estate and sample some of the excellent local wines. (76 km, tar). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: Today we take a detour to the beautiful village of Montagu and do a short hike to the hot springs. In the afternoon we can do an excursion by bike to the historic town of MacGregor. Includes: (B), (D).
Notes: A medium to good level of fitness and some team spirit is required for this trip. The route is mountainous in parts and goes over some passes between 600 and 1000 m high. The climate is as varied as the travel route: The temperatures in the Klein Karoo can soar to 38°C, and at night it can be cold, especially in the higher altitudes.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
* 15/09/2008 - 03/10/2008:
- Rates pps 3490
- Deposit 300
- Single Supplement 4100
- Bike Rental 270
* 13/10/2008 - 24/10/2008
- Rates pps 2790
- Deposit 250
- Single Supplement 310
- Bike Rental 185
* 10/11/2008 - 21/11/2008
- Rates pps 2790
- Deposit 250
- Single Supplement 310
- Bike Rental 185
* 17/11/2008 - 05/12/2008
- Rates pps 3490
- Deposit 300
- Single Supplement 410
- Bike Rental 270
* 22/12/2008 - 02/01/2009
- Rates pps 2890
- Deposit 250
- Single Supplement 310
- Bike Rental 185
Price Includes:
- Qualified English-speaking tour guide
- All accommodation in double rooms with shower/toilet as above including breakfast (2-3*)
- Transport of bikes on trailer
- Permanent back-up
- All entrance fees
- All transfers and travel in air-conditioned minibus
Price Excludes:
- Flights to and from South Africa
- Gratuity
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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