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On the Road Bike along the Garden Route to Cape Town
offered by supplier M16394 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 10
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 40
people
Destination(s):
South Africa
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Sightseeing
Season: March - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 2090 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2090 US Dollar (USD)
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A vacation of great contrasts! 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. We cycle through a country with diverse and stunning scenery: Spectacular Mountain passes, isolated gorges, breathtaking coastlines - on excellent tar roads equaling European standards - at a time when most of your bikes are locked away in store rooms during the cold winter months!
Note so in South Africa: our summer stretches from November until March and that means cycling in sunny weather, particularly in the Cape. Our back-up vehicle is always within reach, thereby ensuring relaxed cycling. We sleep in selected guest houses, lodges, and hotels with a personal and homely atmosphere. An ideal bicycle tour for the touring cyclist who wants to experience the beauty of the Western Cape as well as the racing cyclist who wants to keep fit in "winter" under ideal conditions. Note: 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.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: You will meet your tour guide in the morning in Port Elizabeth. With the bikes loaded on the trailer, we will drive to our lodge situated on the foothills of the Tsitsikama 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 Tsitsikama Forest. Lodge 3*.
Day 2: Our first cycling leg takes us along the wooded plateau of the Tsitsikama 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. Wood-carved birds made locally are valuable souvenirs and the locally brewed "Mitchells Beer" is highly recommended. Knysna is also famous for its fresh oysters. We transfer to nearby Wilderness to a comfortable hotel in walking distance to the beach of the Indian Ocean. Hotel 4* (105 km, 750 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 3: The gentle sloped Outeniqua Pass (800m) takes us from the evergreen coast into the semi arid Klein Karoo with shrub and succulent vegetation. We pass many ostrich farms before 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, which has many fine examples of stalagmite and flowstone formations. Back in Oudtshoorn we check into our comfortable hotel. Hotel 3* (137 km, 900 am, tar). Includes: (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) and then go on to our guest house/hotel in Ladismith. Guest house 3*/Hotel 2* (99 km, 650 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 5: Today we cycle right through the deserted scenery of the Little Karoo, always surrounded by the impressive Swartberg and Langeberg Mountain ranges. After lunching in Barrydale, we traverse the Op die Tradouw Pass (700m) and cycle closer to the Langeberg passing the first wine farms of the Western Cape. The Bloupont Peak which towers the picturesque little village of Montagu with its beautiful Cape Dutch houses is a welcoming site. Montagu is a fruit and wine center and its famous hot springs are part of our comfortable hotel. What a pleasure for weary cycling muscles! Hotel 3* (131 km, 900 am, tar). Includes: (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 guest house in Robertson and
are invited to a nearby wine estate for wine tasting. Guest House 3*
(125 km, 600 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 7: Following the impressive Hex River Mountains, we cycle through the Breë 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 guest house in Ceres, known as "the Switzerland of South Africa". Ceres is also home to the largest fruit juice factory in the southern hemisphere. Guest House 3* (115 km, 400 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 8: Through the picturesque Bainskloof Gorge, we cycle up to the top (601m). 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. After checking in at the hotel we explore the city center by foot (1.5 hrs) thereby visiting The Cape Castle, Parade, and Flower Market, Company's Garden with the National Gallery, Green Market Square and the historical Malay Quarter. Hotel 3* (54 km, 500 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 9: Today we transfer to Muizenberg and start cycling along the Indian Ocean to the renown Cape of Good Hope. We stop to look at a penguin colony 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 annual and extremely popular Argus Cycle Tour. Hotel 3* (115 km, 800 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 10: The morning is at your own disposal. Depending on your return flight you can visit Nelson Mandelas 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. Includes: (B).
Notes: We offer various extensions and other services such as car rental, hotel/ guest house accommodation which will be tailored to your needs. If you decide to do this tour in March, you can take part in the world-famous Argus Cycle Tour around the Cape Peninsula. Please note: in order to participate in the Pick N Pay Argus Cycle Tour, we need to register you 2 months before the tour.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Qualified English-speaking driver guide
- All accommodation in double rooms with own shower/toilet as above including breakfast (3-4*)
- All entrance fees
- All transfers and travel in air-conditioned minibuses
- Transport of bikes on trailer
- Permanent back-up
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Bicycle Touring
Sightseeing
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