13 day cycle tour South Africa 50+
50 + CYCLE HOLIDAY ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE IN SOUTH AFRICA
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When was the last time you went biking in short sleeves on an almost perfect sunny day?. Or the last time you really counted the stars in an evening sky free of light polution?. Can you remember walking barefoot almost alone across a honey coloured beach, swam in the warm Indian ocean with the sunset across the horizon?. Do you remember the smell of sizzling steak on a barbaque?, or biking along back roads of the Cape with views of majestic mountains and deserted coastlines?.
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This is a specially developed tour
for bike adventure fans who are 50 or over.
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Tour Level: |
fitness between level 1 and level 2 |
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Trip duration: |
13 days holiday in South Africa | |
Distance riding: |
40km to 70km per day | |
Tour conditions: |
- B&B in chosen guest houses, 3 and 4 star ratings - 6 evening meals and wine tasting included - Full support vehicle with trailer for the bikes - 1 local guide fluent in English and German - 2 qualified registered guides on tour |
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Specials: |
Cape Town and Cape Point Swartberg Pass and the Lower karoo Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and Natures Valley Winelands and wine tasting - Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Atlantic and Indian Ocean scenic views Meet the people and experience the food and cultire of South Africa |
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Price: |
ZAR: 20 000 |
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Availability: |
January 2010, March and September/October 2010 |
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Here is a short description of this Garden Route 50 plus bike holiday ›› Our road and off the beaten track bike holidays offer the cycling enthusiast an active holiday set amoungst the coastal regions and semi desert areas of the Western Cape. We shall show you the high life of the mother city - Cape Town, the cultivated wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, or a small Karoo town where time seems to stand still. Cycle along the breathtaking Chapman's Peak Drive in Cape Town or take a hike in the Tsitsikama National Park, and why not extend your holiday to experience our unique African animal kingdom. Whatever your reason for cycling in South Africa, you will visit many soulful spots, traveling a country whose natural attractions are vast and where you shall meet a colourful mixture of people and divers cultures. We will show you magnificent mountain ranges, deserted sandy beaches along the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, and semi tropical forest regions. We also like to boast about our warm and pleasant climate, offering one of the highest rates of sunshine hours in the summer months in the world. Just enjoy the easy, sunny way of life here in South Africa when it is cold and wet in Europe and the American continents. Our local tour guides, who speak English and German, will follow our trip with a support vehicle and trailer at all times. On board we have refreshments, fruit, water and isotonic drink supplies. An unforgettable leisure and sports experience awaits you with our Western Cape cycle tour. o SOULTOURING tour leaders are experienced qualified registered guides, enthusiastic specialists dedicated to enhance any guest's visit to South Africa through informative discourse and personal attention. o We spend as little time as need be in the tour vehicle, we shall cycle gravel roads and some off the beaten track tar roads. o Wine tasting and culture highlights along the Garden Route, when we are not on the bikes, we shall view some of the local tourist attractions, do some wine tasting, enjoy local food specialities and spend evenings around the fire, checking out the starry nights of Africa. |
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| B&B = bed and breakfast - L = lunch provided - D = dinner provided | ||
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DAY 1 •
Bettys Bay – Gordons Bay (coastal road) |
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tar road cycle - 30km - B&B+D
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| After your arrival at the airport we catch the first glimpses of Cape Town and take you to settle into the guest house after a short transfer along the coast to Betty's Bay, take time to refresh and inspect or build the bikes. Mid morning we take a leisurely ride to Gordons Bay along a majestic coastal road, where you have spectacular views over False Bay. We take a lunch stop at a local fish restaurant in the harbour. The afternoon is spent relaxing at the guest house and we have time to have a swim at the beach. In the evening we have a welcome meal in the guesthouse. |
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DAY 2 •
Storms River – (tar road Garden Route) |
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cycle coastal tar road - 25km - B&B
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| Today we do the longest transfer on our trip and travel along the Garden Route as far as Jeffrey's Bay, we might be even lucky to see some whales during season in Hermanus on route. We start with a 2 and a half hour ride to Swellendam, an old historic town of the Cape. A scenic town nestled in the valley at the foot of the majestic Langeberg mountains. Situated in the Overberg, halfway between Cape Town and George on the Garden Route Established by the Dutch East India Company in 1745, the town is the third oldest magisterial district in South Africa and often referred to as the historical heart of the Overberg. The architecture and character of the town clearly reflects the diverse and interesting history of Swellendam and its people. Many of the buildings and gardens have been restored to their former glory and a walk through the museum complex and the town is a feast for the senses. Here we take time to see some local attractions and have our lunch stop. We then have a 3 hour transfer to the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and cycle amoungs the amazing vegetation for one hour to our accommodation, and stay in Storms River, there is still time to take a refreshing dip in the warm Indian Ocean. In the evening we enjoy some local seafood. |
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DAY 3 •
Natures Valley– Tsitsikamma Reserve (cycle) |
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tar & gravel roads - 70km - B&B
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| Today we take the back roads out of Jeffrey’s Bay and head towards Humansdorp, and carry on cycling towards Storms River in the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. Our rest stop is at Tranquility Lodge in Natures Valley. Natures Valley - in the heart of the Garden Route - is part of the Tsitsikamma National Park and is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the most magnificent hiking trails, with unrivalled views of the sea, forest, waterfalls, lagoon and beaches which will leave you breathless. Lay soaking up the sun, watching dolphins play and whales breach. Spot our resident otters, bush buck, bush pig and perhaps the elusive leopard. |
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DAY 4 •
Knysna – Tsitsikamma Reserve (hike today) |
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forest/coastal hike - 3.5hours - B&B
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| We shall leave the bikes behind today and do a hike in the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve where the famous OTTO Trail ends in Natures Valley. Our 3 hour hike takes us along the lagoon and along a river where trout farming is done. We have a picnic lunch and a swim in the warm ocean. In the afternoon we visit Knysna elephant Park and have a chance to see some wild animals in Africa and then transfer to the jewel of the Garden Route, Knysna. After being South Africa's favourite town of the year for a few years in a row, it has now received international recognition for the gem it is - it was named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World and one of the Top 25 in Africa by the Trip Advisor, 2008 Travellers' Choice Destinations Awards. There are lots of extra activities to do including a boats cruise to the Heads on the Lagoon.. In the evening we visit a local restaurant seafood is speciality here, even taste some of the famous oysters from the region. |
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DAY 5 •
De Rust – Pass road (gravel) |
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gravel road cycle - 50km - B&B+D
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| Transfer to Prince Alfred Pass and Uniondale and we cycle on some gravel roads to De Rust. In the afternoon relax by the pool. In the evening we enjoy a traditional braai - a grill evening around the fire with lots of local specialities, and do some star gazing, with highlights like the "Southern Cross", and finding the true South in the night sky. |
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DAY 6 •
Oudtshoorn – Swartberg Pass (gravel road) |
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gravel pass cycle - 35km - B&B
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| After a hearty breakfast, we transfer through Meiringspoort, along the river course with spectacular rock formation, then drive through Prince Alfred a quiet Karoo town and tackle the upward pass road to the top of the Swartberg, a well known mountain range. Here we embark and cycle down the pass towards Oudtshoorn. On the way we visit the "Cango Caves", the only show cave in Southern Africa, situated in a limestone ridge parallel to the well known Swartberg Mountains, you will find the finest dripstone caverns, with their vast halls and towering formations. |
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DAY 7 •
Farm near Carlitzdorp - Red Stone Hills |
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gravel road cycle - 35km - B&B+D
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| We spend the morning in Oudtshoorn and visit the museum and some of the Victorian "Feather Palaces" and pay a visit to an ostrich farm where we have lunch. Why not try a race on an ostrich!. In the afternoon we cycle out of town and head for an old working farm near Carlitzdorp from days gone by. Marnie and Margret, a retired couple who own the farm make all their produce and breed ostriches. In the evening we enjoy a home cooked farm meal, and we are lucky we shall be treated to Marnie"s own Merlot wine. |
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DAY 8 •
Barrydale – the famous Route 62 |
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road cycle - 60km - B&B
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| Margret serves us a hearty breakfast, complete with ostrich omelette, one egg is enough for all. We then head off from the farm along the gravel road to the Route 62, the famous back road of the Cape. Our longest climb on the trip, the Huisriver pass, awaits us with a 500mtr or 650mtr ascent and then a ride down to Zoar an old mission station and on to Ladismith, where we have a lunch stop. After lunch we do a 1 hour transfer to Barrydale an arty town on the route, and stay in an old historical hotel. Here we have an opportunity to visit the hot springs or enjoy a wine or port tasting in the afternoon. |
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DAY 9 •
Montague – Kogmans Kloof(back roads Cape) |
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tar road cycle - 65km - B&B+D
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| We carry on the route 62 and head for Montague, going through the famous hole in the wall, a tunnel leading to Kogmans Kloof, a road which was built by a famous engineer Thomas Bain"s in the 18th century. We ride many of his passes during our trip. Take time to view the old Cape Dutch style houses here, often built in a "T" or "H" formation, where most of the roofs are thatched and use a special reed called "restio" an indigenous plant from our fynbos biosphere. Of course you must stock up on your dried fruits, peaches, pears, mangos and other local produce., which are well known in this area. |
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DAY 10 •
Simons Town– no cycle today |
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sightseeing today - B&B+L
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| Today we transfer in our vehicle back to the winelands, and have a light picnic lunch on a wine farm called Muratie, one of the first farms to be established here in the Cape at the end of the 16th century. You have some time to look around Stellenbosch, the second capital of South Africa founded by the governor Simon van der Stel. He travelled from Cape Town in his ox wagon out to the "First River" looking for new fertile land to settle where he founded the town Stellenbosch, and this is where the first settlers grew crops and also cultivated wine. We shall do some wine tasting and then head on to Franschhoek, the gourmet capital of the Cape. Here we have an evening meal in one of the best restaurants in town. After the meal we take you to your accommodation in Simons Town via Muizenberg. |
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DAY 11 •
Simons Town – Cape Town Peninsula |
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tar road cycle - 45km - B&B
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| Back on the Cape Peninsula, we head to Noordhoek beach and cycle over Chapmans Peak, a famous coastal road which is cycled in the "Cape Argus race" in March, bringing 35 000 enthusiasts to our shores every year. We cycle down the coast road past Camps Bay to the waterfront. Here we have lunch and have a look around this lively place. In the afternoon we take in some sights Of Cape Town, you are free to choose but of course Table Mountain is a must. In the early evening we meet again to watch the sun go down on Signal Hill, and enjoy a glass of local Cap Classique, our local champagne. |
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DAY 12 •
Simons Town – Cape Point Nature Reserve |
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tar road cycle - 45km - B&B+D
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| After breakfast we cycle from our hotel towards Cape Point and view the lighthouse and of course where the ocean meets. In the reserve we might see some zebra, chacma baboons and dassies. These are small rodents, the only relatives of the elephants, with their small tusks. We cycle on from the reserve to Scarborough, where we have a light lunch in a quiet country restaurant. In the afternoon we have some time to take in the African sun and have a swim at the beach. We go and see the African penguins at Boulders beach, a pair came from Namibia in the 1950's and decided to stay, after that they became permanent residents of Simons Town. We have our last evening together, before our departure in the morning. |
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DAY 13 •
Simons Town – Waterfront shopping |
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Departure Day
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| Today you have to say farewell to the fair Cape, but we hope you take many memories with you and savour until the next time you visit South Africa. We transfer you to the airport for your departure to Europe. Why not extend your holiday and enjoy some more of Cape Town Riding Distance:600km |
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What is included in the price on this Soultouring tour››
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Full vehicle support, baggage transport, airport pickups |
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3 and 4 star guest houses, hotels and working farms |
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5 evening meals + 1 picnic lunch |
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Wine tastings, and all entries into NP and rides |
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Starter pack with 1 complimaentary bottles of wine and route maps |
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GPS data available |
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Free isotonic drinks and fruit on tour |
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2 experienced, world class registered guides on trip |
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comprehensive tool kit for bike repair |
SCHEDULED HOLIDAYS WITH SOULTOURING››
13 day Garden Route 50 plus cycle holiday in South Africa- mountain bike/trekking bike trip››
| Tours in 2010 - 2011 | ||
| Tour 37 • | 15.11.2010 - 27.11.2010 | |
| Tour 45 • | 17.01.2011 - 29.01.2011 | |
| Tour Price •
2010-2011 - ZAR:20 000
SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE |
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| excluding. flight | ||
| including. B&B + 5 evening meals + 1 picnic lunch | ||
| Soultouring. reserves the right to change the itinerary in the interest of the customer | ||
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Our partner Luhambo Tours deals with all enquiries for day tours:- pls use this link left to view their website |
