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Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: RRG
16.01.11 - 27.01.11	USD 1975
03.03.11 - 14.03.11	USD 1975

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South Africa

Along the Garden Route to Cape Town

On 13th March take part at the largest organized cycling race in the Southern hemisphere, the Cape argus Cycle race, and get fit for the road bike saison 2011. – Individual and group travel

Along the white beaches of the Indian Ocean, through evergreen, indigenous forests into the barren Little Karoo. The wild solitude of the Swartberg Mountains stretches to the Cape Winelands and then on to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town. Spectacular Mountain passes, isolated gorges, breathtaking coastlines – on excellent tar roads equaling European standards. From November until March its summer in South Africa and that means cycling in sunny and warm weather, particularly in the Cape. Our back-up vehicle transports your luggage and ensures relaxed cycling. We sleep in selected guesthouses, lodges, and hotels with a personal and homely atmosphere. An ideal bicycle tour for the touring cyclist and the racing cyclist alike, who want to experience the beauty of the Western Cape and keep fit in “winter” under ideal conditions.
The world-famous Argus Cycle Tour around the Cape Peninsula, with more than 35 000 eager participants takes place on the second weekend of March each year and serves as an excellent highlight at the end of our cycle tour.

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival and Transfer Addo Elephant National Park

After meeting your tour guide/driver we load the bikes on the trailer. We will then drive to the cosy lodge near Addo where you can unwind, relax, have a shower, swim in the pool and check the bike.

Day 2 Safari Addo Elephant National Park – Cycle Humansdorp – Tsitsikamma

The animals are most active in the morning so we do a game drive in open landrover in famous Addo Elephant National Park. Besides elephants you can find lion, buffalo, blesbok, tortoise, warthog, zebra, ostrich and many more. With the bikes loaded on the trailer, we shuttle to Humansdorp the beginning of the Garden Route. On a quite road we ride to our lodge situated on the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range. (48 miles, 1200 feet) (B)

Day 3 Cycle Tsitsikamma National Park – Plettenberg Bay – Knysna

Our second cycling leg takes us down to Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park with its dramatic coastline. Back up on the wooded plateau descend into the deep valley of Bloukrans comprising lush indigenous forest. Up and down again to Nature’s Valley which boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa. Back on the plateau, we cycle through to seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay. Than we shuttle to Knysna. The town is known for its “Knysna Heads”, two massive rocks guarding the entrance to the Knysna lagoon. Stay in charming guest house near the lagoon. (65 miles, 2250 feet) (B)

Day 4 Cycle George – Oudtshoorn – Cango Caves

A short shuttle takes you to George. The gentle sloped Outeniqua Pass (2400 feet) lead inland from the evergreen coast into the semi arid Klein Karoo. We arrive in Oudtshoorn, which is known as the ”ostrich capital”. After visiting an ostrich farm, we cycle on through the Schoemans Gorge to the famous Cango Caves. Back in Oudtshoorn we check into our historic comfortable guest house. The owner invites you to a traditional barbeque, called “braai”. The tender ostrich steak should not be missed!. (76 miles 2700 feet) (B)

Day 5 Cycle Oudtshoorn – Calitzdorp – Ladismith

Leaving Oudtshoorn, we cycle along the magnificent Swartberg Mountains to Calitzdorp, the port wine capital of South Africa, before climbing the Huisrivier Pass (2000 feet). We reach our guest house in Ladismith, situated against the dramatic backdrop of the 6000 feet tall peak of the Towerkop. (61 miles, 1950 feet) (B)

Day 6 Cycle Ladimith – Barrydale – Montagu

Today we cycle right through the deserted scenery of the Little Karoo, first pass famous bar Ronnies Sex shop… than to Barrydale. After a lunch break head for he picturesque little village of Montagu with its beautiful Cape Dutch houses. The famous hot springs are situated close to our comfortable hotel. What a pleasure for weary cycling muscles! (81 miles, 2700 feet) (B)
h4. Day 7 Rest day

There is a lot to do around Montagu. Hike in the Bloupont area, do wine tasting, visit local museum, do Neil Burger tractor ride up Papageikop (3200 feet), play Golf in Robertson or see the Southern most tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas.

Day 8 Cycle Montagu – Montagu – Bonnivale – McGregor -Robertson

Today we cross the beautiful Kogmanskloof gorge with its impressively folded sandstone layers before cycling through the vineyards on the way to Bonnievale and the historic village of Mc Gregor. We are accommodated in a cosy guesthouse in Robertson and are invited to a nearby wine estate for wine tasting. (77 miles, 1800 feet) (B)

Day 9 Cycle Robertson – Worcester – Ceres

Following the impressive Hex River Mountains, we cycle through the Breede River Valley on the way to Worcester, home to the famous KWV Brandy Distillery. Passing wine estates and via moderate Mitchell’s pass (1500 feet) we reach our guesthouse in Ceres. (71 miles, 1200 feet) (B)

Day 10 Cycle Ceres – Bainskloof Pass – Wellington – transfer Cape Town

Through the picturesque Bainskloof Gorge, cycle up to the top of the pass (1800 feet). The natural pools in the river make ideal cool-off spots. From the pass, enjoy unique views across the Cape wine lands before a long descent takes us into Wellington. We load the bikes and shuttle for Cape Town, for many the most beautiful located city in the world. We are accommodated in a comfortable hotel close to city and waterfront. We explore the city centre by foot: The Cape Castle, Parade, and Flower Market, Company’s Gardens with the National Gallery, Green Market Square and the historical Malay Quarter. (33 miles, 1500 feet) (B)

Day 11 Cycle Cape Of Good Hope

After a short transfer we start cycling along the Indian Ocean to the renown Cape of Good Hope. We stop to look at a penguin colony in Boulders on the way. Our way back to Cape Town takes us along the Atlantic coast with the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive. This is one of the most breathtaking routes in South Africa and attracts over 35.000 cyclists from all over the world who take part in the extremely popular Argus Cycle Tour. (67 miles, 2100 feet) (B)

If you take part at the Cape Argus Cycle Race (67 miles, 2100 feet) you cycle from your hotel about 2 miles to the start of the race and about 4 miles from the finish back to the hotel.

Day 11 Sightseeing and transfer Cape Town International Airport

The morning is at your own disposal. Depending on your return flight you can visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island or take the cable car up to the famous landmark Table Mountain. We transfer you to Cape Town International Airport, where this exciting tour ends. (B)
If you decide to do this tour in March, you can take part in the world-famous Argus Cycle Tour around the Cape Peninsula. We gladly help you with registration. As an addition to this tour we recommend our 3 day extension to the Kruger National Park, or a 3 day vist to famous Victoria Falls with nearby wonderful Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Services

Included:

• qualified English-speaking driver guide
• all accommodation in double rooms with own shower/toilet as above incl. breakfast (3-4*)
• all entrance fees
• all transfers & travel in air-conditioned minibuses
• transport of bikes on trailer
• permanent back-up

Hints

Travel Information:
A good level of fitness is required for this tour. We will be cycling on tar throughout the tour. The route includes several mountain passes of up to 1900 feet altitude difference. A back-up vehicle is always around. Scenery and climate alike are diverse. The temperatures in the Little Karoo can go up to 89.6° Fahrenheit during midday but at times it can be rather cool at the coast especially at night (59-77° Fahrenheit).

You are traveling alone and you need your own date of of departure, or a group of friends, or a club, please contact us. We develop and organize your trip according to your needs!