Group Size: 8-15 participants

km = kilometer & am = altitude meter

Day 1              Arrival in Cape Town and City Tour

Arrival at Cape Town International Airport at lunchtime. A transfer takes you to our beautiful 4* hotel located in Sea Point. On a city tour on foot you discover the history of Cape Town: The Old Castle, Parade with City Hall, Parliament Gardens, the “Groote Kerk” church, Green Market Square, District Six and the Malay Quarter.

Bantry Bay Hotel 4*

Distance by bus 20 km, duration 0.5 h

Day 2              Visit The Cape of Good Hope, Cycling on the foot of Table Mountain & Lions Head

Today your tour bus takes you along the Atlantic Ocean to Boulders Penguin Colony and on to the Cape of Good Hope. The cape is home to a variety of species such as blesbok, bontebok, kudu antelope and ostriches as well as the cheeky baboons. A short hike on a panoramic trail takes you from Cape Point down to the Cape of Good Hope. Along the breath-taking cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean you return to the city. A bike trip at the foot of Table Mountain above the city centre and around Lion’s Head to Signal Hill offers beautiful views of the city and the sea. (B)

Bantry Bay Hotel 4*

Distance by bike 30 km, 860 am, 10% tar, 80% jeep tracks, 10% trail

Distance by bus 130 km, duration 2.5 h

Day 3              Biking in the Bottelary Nature Reserve

After breakfast a 1 hour transfer takes you to Bottelary Nature Reserve. The overall elevation is moderate, but the amount of small and medium gradients and the many flow trails on the big loop are a lot of fun. Half a dozen wineries have established the Bottelary Reserve. Lunch is at one of the beautiful wine estates, before continuing on single trails in the afternoon and cycling directly to our accommodation. (B)

Zevenwacht Country Estate

Distance by bike 42 km, 1100 am, 50% jeep tracks, 50% single trails

Distance by bus 30 km, duration 1 h

Day 4              Biking at the Oak Valley Winery

The owners of Oak Valley and Paul Cluver Farms are true mountain biking enthusiasts and have created an interesting mountain bike circuit on their farms. The downhills on the single trail are fast and the continuous up and down together with some interesting fence crossings are entertaining. In the afternoon a transfer takes you to the fancy 4* Gaikou Lodge located on the outskirts of Swellendam. (B)

Gaikou Lodge 4*

Distance by bike 30 km, 520 am, 40% jeep tracks, 60% single trails

Distance by bus 230 km, duration 3 h

Day 5              Biking in the Boosmansbos Wildness Area

On dirt tracks, jeep tracks and single trails you will experience the beauty of the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. This is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Capensis, awarded for its indigenous forest, fynbos plants and interesting wildlife. You spend the night in the stylish rooms of the historic guest house in Riversdale where you will also have dinner. (B,L,D)

De Doornkraal Vinotel 4*

Distance by bike 25 km, 635 am, 10% jeep tracks, 90% single trails

Distance by bus 100 km, duration 1.5 h

Day 6              On the tracks of the Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race

Today you cycle on jeep tracks and dirt roads used in the famous Cape Epic MTB race through nature reserves and private farmland. A secluded path takes you over the Langeberge to the Gysmanshoek Pass (770 m) from where you enjoy breathtaking views over the Overberg region and to the Swartberg Mountains, which are over 90 km away. The afternoon is spent on less mountainous terrain and takes you over the Aardvark Traverse to the vicinity of Vanwyksdorp. The tires will have to do deal with sharp stones and thorns of acacia everywhere. From the terrace of the beautiful 4* lodge you might be lucky to see giraffes, waterbucks, kudu, red hartebeest, duiker and klipspringer at the waterhole. (B,L,D)

Rooiberg Lodge 4*

Distance by bike 83 km, 1325 am, 10% asphalt, 90% jeep track

Distance by bus 20 km, duration 0.5 h

Day 7              Relaxing in the semi-desert

The day is for relaxing. The lodge is a green oasis in the middle of the Little Karoo semi-desert and offers a charming contrast to the barren mountain slopes. You can relax at the pool, or explore the area on foot or by bike where you will come across numerous animal tracks. (B,L,D)

Rooiberg Lodge 4*

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 8              Biking through the Attakwas Mountains

After breakfast a 1-hour transfer will take you to the Attakwas Mountains. First on a small road then on a jeep track you will bike through Cape Fynbos on a scenic route. On the hilly first 20 km you might see springbok antelopes and turtles, which are well adapted to the arid climate. In the afternoon a ramp of 300 m elevation takes you to the greener southern side of the mountains. Through pine forest, later through farmland, the track continues directly to the 4* Eight Bells Hotel. (B,L,D)

Eight Bells Country Hotel 4*

Distance by bike 47 km, 1170 am, 100% jeep track

Distance by bus 60 km, duration 1 h

Day 9              Biking along the Outeniqua Mountains

Biking today starts on a dirt road and later continues on forest tracks along the southern side of the Outeniqua Mountains with peaks up to 1500 m to George. Especially in the beginning you will have to negotiate some steep ramps out of the deep river valleys. Except some antelopes the area is not so rich in game, but you can find some rare bird species like Knysna Parrot or Malachite Kingfisher. On the outskirts of George you return back to civilization and reach the stylish guesthouse. Time allowing you can visit the nearby Victoria Bay with big waves for surfing and body surfing. (B,L)

Acorn Guest House 4*

Distance by bike 74 km, 1350 am, 5% asphalt, 95% jeep track

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 10             Biking over the Montagu Pass

Starting from the guesthouse you follow local trails to the beginning of the historic Montagu Pass. The climb to the pass is easy and steady and is rewarded by breath taking views from an altitude of 750 m to the surrounding mountains. On the drier northern side of the mountain range the trail continues on a flat farm track to the Louvain guest farm. After lunch and a brief out at the pool, you will get down to some serious biking on the farm’s trails. Some of the passages are quite rocky and require biking skills. Accommodation is in the newly renovated rooms of the farm. The hosts organize a traditional barbecue evening, called “Braai” in the local Afrikaans language. (B)

Louvain Guest Farm 4*

Distance by bike 63 km, 1260 am, 75% slope, 25% single trails

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 11             Biking to the Indian Ocean

From the farm chalets you start with a 300 m uphill leading to the old pass. The rocky jeep track was built 200 years ago by merchants who transported their goods from the coast to the interior with ox wagons. After 15 km the surface gets smoother and now it’s downhill to the Garden Route National Park and on to the seaside resort of Wilderness. You stay overnight in the beautiful Waterside Guesthouse located at the beautiful lagoon. In the afternoon, the Indian Ocean with its endless beaches invites for a swim, or you can take a cycle lap with the guide in the Garden Route Trail Park. (B)

Waterside Lodge 4*

Distance by bike 46 km, 710 am, 5% asphalt, 95% jeep track/road

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 12            Transfer to George and departure

In the morning a 30 min transfer will take you to George airport, the end of this trip. From here you can fly directly to Johannesburg or Cape Town, continue the journey by yourself with a rental car, or take a ride back to Cape Town in the support vehicle. (B)

Distance by bus 25 km, duration 0.5 h

Unterkünfte vorbehaltlich Verfügbarkeit

A good physical condition and mountain biking experience are required for this trip. The routes consist of single trails with steep climbs and descents where carrying and pushing might be required as well as jeep tracks. During the advertised travel periods the temperatures range from 20-32°C with low humidity in the Western Cape and dry and sunny weather.