Cycling >>
On the road bike along the Garden Route to Cape Town (10 days) from
6 guests
Highlights
Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms
River Mouth
Knysna with its sheer beauty and awesome
scenery
Magnificient Swartberg Mountain Range
The Breede River Valley with its many
wine distilleries
Cycling the Cape Peninsula
( B = Breakfast, L
= Lunch, D = Dinner ) ( km = kilometer,
am = altitude meters )
Day
1 After meeting your tour guide/driver we load the bikes on the
trailer. We will then drive to Port Elizabeth. With the bikes loaded on
the trailer, we will drive to our lodge situated on the foothills of the
Tsitsikamma Mountain Range. After assembling our bikes, the unique holiday
begins with a tour to the Storms River mouth and the “Big Tree”
in the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest.
Day 2
Our first cycling leg takes us along the wooded plateau of the Tsitsikamma
Forest before we descend into a deep valley comprising lush indigenous
forest. This area is known as Nature’s Valley and boasts one of
the most beautiful beaches in South Africa. Back on the plateau, we cycle
through the seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay on to the town of Knysna.
The town is known for its “Knysna Heads”, two massive rocks
guarding the entrance to the Knysna lagoon. We transfer to nearby Wilderness
to a comfortable hotel in walking distance to the beach. (105 km, tar)
(B)
Day
3
The gentle sloped Outeniqua Pass (800m) takes us 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 comfortable hotel. (137 km, tar) (B)
Day 4
Leaving Oudtshoorn, we cycle along the magnificent Swartberg Mountains
to Calitzdorp, the port wine capital of South Africa, before climbing
the Huisrivier Pass (655 m). We reach our guest house in Ladismith, situated
against the dramatic backdrop of the 2000 m peak of the Towerkop. (99
km, tar) (B)
Day
5
Today we cycle right through the deserted scenery of the Little Karoo,
first to Barrydale and then on to the 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!
(131 km, tar) (B)
Day 6
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 cozy guesthouse in Robertson and are invited to a nearby wine estate
for wine tasting. (125 km, tar) (B)
Day
7
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 Michell’s pass (490 m) we reach our
guesthouse in Ceres. (115 km, tar) (B)
Day
8
Through the picturesque Bainskloof Gorge, we cycle up to the top of the
pass (600m). The natural pools in the river make ideal cool-off spots.
From the pass, we 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 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. (54 km, tar) (B)
Day 9
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. (115
km, tar) (B)
Day 10
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 (p. 34).
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 650 m 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 35° C during midday but at
times it can be rather cool at the coast especially at night (10-25°).
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
Good quality road bikes for hire with 24 gears and equipped
with105 Shimano group.
Book this tour
If
our fixed departure doesn't suit you, don't despair! Contact
us for exclusive itineraries for small groups or individual travelers,
we will be happy to put together a special tour for you.
Day
1
Day
3
Day
5
Day
7
Day
8
qualified
English-speaking driver guide