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Travel
Cycling the Cape & Winelands
Escape to the open roads of South Africa's favourite province, on this classic cycling tour. Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful places in the world, Cape Town, the surrounding countryside and beaches provide a stunning backdrop for this tour. In addition to Table Mountain and the world-famous wine estates of Stellenbosch, the wild coastline and rugged interior provide some classic rides. Stunning scenery, a rich cultural history and unique flora, and some unusual wildlife encounters make this a rewarding destination to discover by bicycle.
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Package Inclusions
- Accommodation
- Minivans
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Local guide
- Cape of Good Hope, home to a myriad of flora and fauna including jackass penguins, cape zebra, springbok, antelope and baboons
- Stellenbosch, Franschhoek & vineyards
- Spectacular Tradouws Pass and Langeberg Mountains
- Cape Algulhus - the southern most point of Africa
- The Whale Coast - between Hermanus and Gordon's Bay
Trek Holidays
Trek Holidays has become Canada's largest wholesale adventure travel company and their staff have been to over 100 countries around the world. Trek works in conjunction with travel agents across Canada to prepare you for your arrival in a new destination based on their own personal experiences, videos, pre-departure booklets as well as reading lists.
- Day 1: Start Cape Town. The day is free for relaxing, shopping, catching a few rays of sunshine or exploring the endless opportunities for activities in and around the city. Your guide will be on hand to advise and assist, but here are a few recommended options: a cable car ride up Table Mountain for the fantastic view over Cape Town and the coastal regions; a visit to the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or a half-day trip to the infamous Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela and other members of the ANC served their long sentences (this trip can be done on day 12 depending on the weather on table mountain).
- Day 2: This morning we cycle from our lodge on a short orientation tour through the city bowl and then onto Bloubergstrand - it's from here that the iconic pictures of Cape Town with the backdrop of Table Mountain are taken. After taking the obligatory photos, we're off on a short transfer into the centre of the Winelands. In the afternoon we cycle over Hellshoogte' (Hell's Heights) and then freewheel the rest of the way to Franschhoek stopping at the famous Boschendal vineyards along the way for a well-earned drink. Cycle 50km. We spend the next two nights in Franschoek.
- Day 3: In the morning we cycle through Franschoek and up the Franschoek pass for some of the most breathtaking views of this region, before enjoying a fast descent back into town. French Huguenot refugees under the patronage of the Dutch originally settled the town, and their descendants still maintain an excellent museum, tracing their history back to their expulsion from France in 1685. After a full cooked brunch we head out to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, where we sample some of the finest wines that it's 29 cellars have to offer. We use the minibus to travel to the different wine farms in this region. Cycle 20 km.
- Day 4: Today we head east, transferring (140km) through the fertile Breede river valley, passing old settlements verdant with vines and fruit trees and seasonal blossoms. We transfer into Montague and after a short coffee break al a local Route 62 shop, we get onto the bikes for the rest of the day. From here the landscape changes to the semi-arid desert of the Great Karoo, a huge ancient plateau making up almost a third of South Africa's landmass and littered with remains of Neolithic and ancient Bushman cultures. We cycle a scenic back road traversing a more fertile region known as the Little Karoo, a short climb brings us to the Tradouws plateau before arriving in Barrydale, our base for the night. This quiet old Dutch village is in a fertile valley surrounded by a colourful mix of vines, fruits and wild flowers (in season). Time allowing we will visit a local co-op cellar and have an opportunity to taste their produce, of which the local Chardonnay is well respected for its unique taste. Cycle 65 km.
- Day 5: After breakfast a short climb takes us up and over the spectacular Tradouws pass. Near the top of the pass are the remains of a prison camp once home to the convicts that constructed the pass in 1873. From here the route is mainly downhill through the Langeberge Mountains to the small town of Suurbrak. Built by the London Missionary Society in 1812 many of the buildings have been restored and now the town has the feel of a living museum. Moving on we reach our base for the night - Swellamdam. From here we drive to the Bontebok National Park. This park boasts some rare antelope as well as mountain zebra and some endangered crane species. The park has two 2km self-guided nature trails, which can be explored independently. Cycle 45km.
- Day 6: A short transfer (40km) brings us into the Overburg district, and we cycle through the cultivated farmlands of the Western Cape. The road gently rolls through neat wheat fields and remote fishing villages facing the Indian Ocean, arriving at Cape Agulhas. We cycle to Bredarsdorp and transfer on the busier road to Cape Algulhas. This is the southernmost point of Africa, and South Africa's newest National Park, encompassing a large area of wetlands and coastline and extending some kilometres out to the sea. Whales and other sea life that frequent the warm waters of the Indian Ocean enjoy the protection within its boundaries. It also provides a home to thousands of sea birds and seals that can be seen along the rugged beaches. Weather permitting we spend some time on the Arniston beach before cycling back to Bredarsdorp, our overnight spot. Cycle 60km.
- Day 7: This morning we cycle from Bredarsdorp to the town of Napier, after a short stop and a chance to sample the local fish cakes, we transfer to the Akkedisberg pass and from here we cycle the very scenic mountain pass into Standford. After a visit to the Birkenhead brewery, with a chance to sample the local beer, we transfer to the town of Hermanus. Famous for the very close sightings of the Southern Right Whale, which come into the secluded bay to mate and calf each year from July through to December, it's a great place to relax. In the afternoon we cycle form one of the local viewpoints of Walkersbay along the Hermanus coastal road to our accommodation offering the best chance to spot Whales, in season. Cycle 55 km.
- Day 8: We have a free day today to rest those legs in Hermanus. In the 1920's the town was known as a place to convalesce and was being recommended from as far a field as London. Grand hotels were built and its reputation as a holiday resort was established. Nowadays it still manages a delightful balance between the two industries of fishing and tourism. In addition to this the World Wildlife Foundation recognizes Hermanus as among the 12 best places in the world for whale watching. There is an option today to go on a shark-diving excursion, own expense.
- Day 9: Today we cycle the Whale Coast, from Hermaus to Gordon's Bay. The road follows the rugged coastline passing through fishing villages with dramatic views over False Bay and the Cape of Good Hope. Along the route there is a good chance that our efforts will be encouraged by the numerous troops of Cape Baboon. Today is the longest cycle day, but those preferring a shorter ride can catch a lift in the support bus for part of the day. We transfer at the end of the day from Gordan's Bay to Noordhoek. Cycle 90km.
- Day 10: After breakfast, a short 30km transfer brings us to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. We then do the walk from the Cape of Good Hope to the old light house at Cape Point. From here we cycle through the Cape Point Nature Reserve and then along the very scenic coastal road to the historic village of Simons Town, downhill for most of the way, with panoramic views over False Bay. After a rest stop and lunch at Boulders Beach we visit the local penguin colony. We then continue our cycle along the coastal road to Fishhoek and onto our overnight accommodation. Cycle 40-50km.
- Day 11: The cycle today follows part of the annual Cape Argus route, one of the largest cycling events of the world, and is arguably the most scenic route that South Africa has to offer. We complete our circuit by cycling from Noordhoek over the redhill pass along an old navy road to Scarborough and then all along the Atlantic coast via the stunning Chapman's Peak drive into Hout Bay. After lunch in Houtbay we cycle up Suikerbos ridge past Llandudno and then on to Cape Town & Table Mountain. A rugged coastline of cliffs and sandy bays and the best place to view the many whales who use the bay to mate and calf (in season) Cape Town via Camp's Bay and the 12 apostles all the way to the Waterfront. We celebrate the end of the cycling at one of the many venues at the Waterfront before transferring a short distance to our lodge. Evening at leisure. Cycle 80km.
- Day 12: The day is free for last minute shopping, catching a few last rays of sunshine or the half-day trip to Robben Island. There's also the opportunity to take a surfing lesson, paraglide, jet ski or simply relax and enjoy the Cape's famous white beaches. End Cape Town.
For reservations or additional information, call 1-866-286-9323 to speak with an experienced travel consultant.
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