Garden route Cycling Tour Overview On this tour we set out and learn the history and rich culture of the Cape, and explore what the city has to offer. We see sights like Table Mountain, cycle the coast to Hermanus in search of whales. Get to see where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet at the most Southern tip, we get to see the smallest national park in SA the Bontebok National park enjoying what it has to offer. Taste some wines in Ladismith and Calitzdorp both renound cellars. Experience the cold underground caves of the Cango in Oudtshoorn, ride an ostrich and cycle stunning scenery s all the way. We still have much more to do on this tour as we cycle to Mosselbay see visit the Museum of Dias, get to walk the famous suspension bridge at tsistkamma National park a coastal reserve stretching 5km deep into see. we go to St Francis bay relax on the beach and eventually all good things has to come to an end so we cycle to Port Elizabeth and relax at the boardwalk do our last bit of shopping before a visit to a penguin rehab center on the last day. But we also lay claim to have cycle nearly 600km or the Garden route. Day 1. Cape Town Meet at the Cape Town Airport we transfer to the oldest city in South Africa. We will then do a walking tour of the city and visit places like the City hall, famous for the first speech delivered by old President Nelson Mandela. Visiting the company gardens we learn the history of Cape Town and see the walk amongst the bright colored houses of the "Bo-kaap" old slave houses as we learn the history there. We will also do lunch here if the time is right. after lunch we head out to our lodge where we check in and relax till later the afternoon we take the cable up and down table mountain see the sun set over the city and back down a short drive to our restaurant for the night and into our beds as tomorrow we start out cycle journey. INCLUDED: Transfer from airport, Cable car up and down.
Day 2. Cape Town (+- 60km) After we had a scrumptious breakfast we transfer to Boulder beach visit the local penguin colony, on of route here today we drive via Simons town and will learn about our Naval history and one of the only dogs enlisted in the navy during WW2. W then transfer to the Cape of Good Hope where we do a short walk on a board walk the lighthouses. After this is done we get ready for our cycle. Now we will cycle out the Cape Peninsula and all the way to Clifton beach some kilometers away. We cycle the famous Chapman s peak, Suikerbossie which is part of the Cape Argus cycle challenge every year. Stopping at viewpoints we take it all in as we make our way to Clifton to load our bikes and transfer back to our Lodge. Supper tonight is at a walking distance restaurant. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Entrance to Boulders beach, entrance to Cape good hope. Day 3. Hermanus (+- 90 km) After another good breakfast we d a short transfer to the start of the whale route on the coast. We cycle approx. 90 today to Hermanus stunning coastal road called Clarence drive. Stopping along the cliffs for pictures and little later a lunch with a view. Today s cycle is magical with False Bay on our right hand side and Kogelberg Nature reserve on the left hand side. We make our way past places such as Betty s bay where there is another penguin colony, have a cup of coffee and cake at the harbor in Kleinmond before we do our last stretch of cycling into Hermanus we will cycle to our Lodge. The Aim to be there midafternoon check in and little later drive up Rotary drive for a "sundowner" with a view over Walker bay. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Complimentary sundowner.
Day 4. Hermanus A full free day. In hermanus a free day means going out on a charter boat to get close to the Southern right whales or sit on one of the many benches overlooking the ocean to spot them from here as Hermanus is one of the best places in the world to see whales from the land, the options are yours. We can relax on the beach, shop in town or just sleep late and enjoy our lodge. Whale season in from mid-june - Mid November so out of season we will include a sea kayak experience this day. For those whom wan to hike there is the opportunity to go up "Hemel en aarde" meaning Heaven on earth. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Out of season sea Kayak experience. Day 5. Cape L aghulas (+- 55 km) After Breakfast its back in the van a short transfer will bring us the point for cycling today a small town called Stanford. we start our cycle here and go through Akkadisberg pass an easy pass at the other side we load out bikes again a short drive up a couple of hills. And were back on our bike for a cycle into the town of Napier where we will have coffee and tea break, pushing another 15 KM we reach our destination of Breedas dorp where we load our bikes for the last time before we transfer the rest to the Most Southern tip of Africa. The aim it to arrive here at lunch time to sample the best fish and chips on the South coast. lunch done we go to most southerly point for a picture opportunity maybe pose with a bike we are on a cycling holiday after all. When this is all done we set off to climb up 4 stairs to the top of the light house and look at the view from above before we go and check into our lodge for the night. If there is enough time we set out to the beach and swim in the India Ocean. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Light house fees.
Day 6. Swellendam (+- 60 km) After breakfast we transfer a short drive back to Breedas dorp from here we will start our cycle to the national highway. Today we will cycle with farm lands on both sides and stand good chances of seeing the national bird of South Africa the Blue crane. We will break regularly and load up our bike as soon as we get the the freeway. We do a short transfer to our lodge for the night check in and we should have ample time to go and pay a visit to one of South Africa s smallest Nation parks the Bontebok National park where there is more than 37 species of antelope to be seen. We will do a short walk in the park and rest at the picnic site before its back to our lodge in town for the night. Regroup and off to a local restaurant in the fourth oldest town in SA. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Entrance to Bontebok National park. Day 7. Ladismith (+-70 km) With our tummies full we do a transfer up and over the Tradouws pass meaning the way of the woman in Koisan language. We will stop at view points as this is one of the pass wonders in the southern cape. Our aim is to start our cycle on the R62 the longest wine route in the world. We today will cycle all the way to Ladismith where we can also sample a wine or two before we check into our lodge for the night. We regroup and have a well-deserved supper. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, wine tasting. Day 8. Oudtshoorn (+- 55 km) After breakfast we cycle from our lodge to Calitzdorp also on the R62 here we will stop for a break and more wine tasting before we transfer to Oudtshoorn for the night we will take a tour into the Cango caves today explore it with a local guide and make our way to our lodge, where we can relax after the day s activities. INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, wine tasting, Cango caves tour.
Day 9. Moselbay (+-70 km) After a scrumptious breakfast we head out on a short transfer to see an Ostrich farm where we will get up close and learn more about these fascinating creatures. After this we start our cycle to Mosselbay toady we will cycle one of the best Passes in the region Outeniqua mountain range, we cycle though it stopping for view and making our way to Mosselbay we check in late the afternoon and relax on the close by beach. Regroup for supper out at the restaurant. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Ostrich farm entrance. Day 10. Tsitsikamma National park After breakfast today we have a transit day on route to our lodge we will stop at the Dias Museum, stop at the Knysna heads for a quick view, getting to Tsitikamma national park at midafternoon time to relax at the pool or walk the suspension bridge or even to the start of the otter 6 day hike trail. We relax at in cabins and go to the local restaurant for supper before relax as the next day its back on our bikes again. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Entrance to Dias Museum Day 11. St. Francis bay (+- 70 km) After breakfast we transfer a short distance back onto the R62, from here we will cycle all the way to our lodge for the next two nights St. Francis bay. We aim to arrive mid Afternoon giving us time to check in and go to the beach and relax or stay and enjoy our lodge. We regroup and see the suns set and go off for another restaurant meal. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 12. Port Elizabeth (+- 40 km) After breakfast we do a short transfer to Humansdorp, from here we will have our last day cycling the Garden route. We cycle till we get to thorn hill. Ad transfer the rest into Port Elizabeth to our lodge close to the boardwalk marina. We aim to arrive lunchtime and relax and take a swim or paddle in the warm Indian ocean. Later we regroup and it s our last supper as a group on this amazing tour. INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch. Day 13. Tour ends in Port Elizabeth After breakfast we drive to the local penguin rehab center and odd final shopping before we end the tour back at the Port Elizabeth airport or a hotel in the area. INCLUDED: Breakfast, Penguin rehab center fee. Note: This is a cycle tour, but here is also a backup vehicle so if there is a stretch that you don t want to cycle you may at any time load your bike and sit in the vehicle till you want to cycle again. We do provide all sweeties, fruits during stops on the cycle days also lots of water. COMPULSARY to wear helmet when cycling. You may bring your own bikes if you wanted to but note that we are not liable for damage theft, or scratches as we load and unload the bike from trailer, although great care is taken not to damage your bike unforeseen circumstances this can happen. When you bring your own bike to you will need to bring all tools needed to fic your bike if needed we can help with some basics but if you need a special tool for whatever on your bike we might not have this. When renting our bikes we will look after all the needs of tools, spare parts, and tubes we will even assist in fixing the punctures should you get any. Our bikes are of good standard they are still fairly new and in good working order. They are entry level bicycles but perfect for this tour.
Meals: We can cater for any dietary requirement, we would just need notice when booking this tour. Breakfast are generally continental with bacon eggs, ect. Lunches will consist of eating out at some local establishments to having sandwiched with a selection of cold meat, tomato s ect. Accommodations we will be staying in Guesthouses ranging from 3 to 4 star, it supports the local people and gives us a more local feeling they are all rated high and is perfectly suited for this tour. Included: All meals mentioned All transport related to tour (incl. support vehicle) All accommodation relative to tour (pre and post can be arranged at additional cost) Driver and Cycle guide throughout tour Exclusions: Meals not mentioned. Flights (to and back or forward) Things of personal nature Alcohol Insurance Tipping Cost per person excluding bicycle rental but including tax USD 2550 Bicycle rental for duration of tour to be paid to your guide in cash. $180 (paid to guide on arrival)