Duration - 8 days

Duration

8 days

Suitable Bike - Mountain Bike

Suitable Bike

Mountain Bike

Fitness Grade

1 - 2

Fitness Grade - 1 - 2

Skills Grade - B

Skills Grade

Navigation - Fully Guided

Navigation

Fully Guided

Cape of Good Hope Whale Coast & Winelands Full Itinerary

The Cycling - Introduction

Cycling is the most enjoyable way to explore the winelands of the cape and meet the local people as you travel. Enjoy authentic Classic Cape experiences, ensuring that you have plenty of time to soak up the culture and countryside at a relaxing pace.

Expect accommodations handpicked for their great locations, very good amenities, facilities and service. The majority of meals are included in the tour with an occasional lunch on the road.

Usual daily distances: 45 to 55km (with very flexible options)
Days of cycling: 6
Terrain: Tar National Park Roads, Coastal Rides, Quiet backroads with some options to cycle on dirt tracks and easy trails and of course Vineyards. There are hills and rolling countryside on this tour so a reasonable basic level of fitness is recommended.
Support vehicle: With us most of the time / on call
Tour staff: Two guides for all rides (with groups smaller than 8 there will be one guide)

If you want to find out more about the cycling, the guiding or anything else about South Africa – please just give us a call. Our office team is always ready to help with enquiries.

Day 0 Saturday – Flights from the UK

A number of overnight flights leave the UK late in the evening. You have a number of choices from direct flights from the UK to Cape Town. Or 1 stop flights via Johannesburg / Dubai. We are more that happy to help you find the correct flight choice.

Day 1 Sunday – Arrive in Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town! This stunningly scenic metropolitan, is snugly situated at the tip of the Africa, its busy harbour port and rugged mountainous terrain all surrounded by the expansive sparkle of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s hard not to be impressed by Cape Town’s gorgeous beaches, award winning vineyards, its trendy city centre and of course the newest addition to the Worlds Natural Wonders, Table Mountain. Beneath this iconic landmark lies a multitude of culinary delights, ambient cafes and restaurants, African craft markets, compelling museums plus art galleries and a vibrant nightlife.

On arrival, you will be met at the international airport and transferred to your accommodation about 30 minutes away.

Later this afternoon we head up to the lower cable station for a trip up Table Mountain with its magnificent views over the city, Table Bay and Robben Island. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has something for everyone, which is why it has attracted more than 24-million visitors since its opening in 1929. The cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain, 1 089 metres above Cape Town, takes five minutes and places you in an ideal place to explore the summit. It’s a great spot to sit and soak up the commanding 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains and the rest of the Table Mountain National Park, in which the Cableway is situated.

• Accommodation: City Loge V&A or similar
• Included Services: Airport arrival transfers
• Included Activities: Table Mountain Excursion (Weather Permitting)

Day 2 Monday – Stellenbosch Winelands Cycling

This morning we leave Cape Town and head to Stellenbosch, where will collect our bikes from the Ride Inn. From here we will cycle to and in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve , a fynbos rich, mountainous reserve with simple, reasonably flat riding tracks on mostly good gravel road. We will then cycle via Lanzerac Estate, an historic landmark and Stellenbosch icon,established in 1692, the third oldest wine estate in the area.

While cycling we continue into some magnificent wineland areas, flanked by the Stellenbosch & Helderberg mountains and interspersed with vineyards & orchards. Lunch will be a picnic in the Eden Forest after which we will cycle along the vineyard rich Blaauwklippen Road and on to Waterford Estate, one of the Number One tasting rooms in the area for a cellar tour followed by a unique wine & chocolate pairing

Accommodation: De Zalze Golf Lodges or Similar
Included Activities: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve Cycle, Waterford Estate wine & chocolate pairing
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycling: 40km (You choose)

Day 3 Tuesday – Boschendal, HelsHoogte Pass and Stellenbosch

Today’s all about classic Cape Winelands. We have a scheduled planned to allow some great riding, some of the area’s best food and wine, and vineyard visits designed to give you some insight into the areas rich heritage and past – not your normal wine tastings.

Boschendal, with its backdrop of sweeping mountain ranges, deep ravines, imposing peaks and sun-baked rock is renowned throughout the world for its beauty. The farm is within an area of such significance that botanists have named it a kingdom on its own – the Cape Floral Kingdom. A major feature of this diverse ecosystem is the fascinating multiform low-growing vegetation known as fynbos. On Boschendal estate the farm roads, jeep tracks and single track through forests provide variety for and magnificent cycling.

Lunch is a picnic on the lawns under old oak trees.

Next stop is Tokara Winery, a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen. The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.

From Tokara we head into Stellenbosch for an old city tour. Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa, after Cape Town. The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of oak trees that were planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel, to grace the streets and homesteads.

• Accommodation: De Zalze Golf Lodges or similar
• Included Activities: Wine Tastings, a Picnic Lunch, Heritage Sites and old town walking tour
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
• Cycling: 40km - 50km (You choose)

Day 4 Wednesday - Franschhoek and the Elgin Valley

After breakfast we set off back to Franschoek , and take a stroll through the picturesque town, visiting the French Huguenot Monument, erected to commemorate the arrival of French Huguenots in South Africa in 1688-89. From here we travel to the top of the Franschhoek Pass, where we get out our bikes again and experience a scenic ride down the Franschhoek Pass and then on to Grabouw and the beautiful Elgin Valley to Oak Valley wine estate and fruit farm renowned for its apples and pears, its greenhouse cut flowers, its rose growing, and, increasingly, for the production of high quality cool climate wines. The biking trail takes the rider through beautiful natural scenery, including forests of ancient oak trees, through vineyards, through apple and pear orchards and across sub-clover/grass pastures, set against the stunning backdrop of the protected fynbos on the slopes of the Groenlandberg Mountain. The trail is a 5 star experience! Now that you will have worked up a good appetite, we head over to a farm stall full of orchard fruits, elegant wines, delicious olives, fresh baked produce and good coffee for a well earned lunch break.

From here we ride a beautiful pass and farm road towards Hermanus, along back country roads ,at the end of which is a reward of an optional wine tasting at Iona. We then head on to Hermanus where we will hopefully have time to view the local crafts, look for Southern Right Whales in season and visit the old harbour museum if desired.

• Accommodation: Windsor Hotel Hermanus or similar
• Included Activities: Oak Valley Ride
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Cycling: 50km (You choose)

Day 5 Thursday – Hermanus, Whale Coast, Overberg & Simonstown

This morning we leave Hermanus and cycle along the spectacular Clarence Drive, arguably some of the most scenic and magnificent coastal riding to be experienced, ending in Gordons Bay. From here we will drive to the other side of the bay, along the coastal road and through the quaint villages of Fishhoek, St James and Kalk Bay,where we will stop for lunch .

After lunch we head for the picturesque naval harbour village of Simonstown, steeped in its own unique history. We will cycle (optional) a short, tough power uphill and down the beautiful scenic Redhill, experiencing, once again, magnificent views , and taking in the vastness of False Bay and Simons Bay

• Accommodation: Magellans Passage or similar
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
• Cycling: 50km (You choose)

Day 6 Friday – The Cape Peninsula - Table Mountain National Park & The Cape of Good Hope

A premium full day excursion that incorporates the best of the Cape Peninsula, Table Mountain National Park, and the Cape of Good Hope. The Cape Point Route spans two coastlines and encompasses the UNESCO listed Cape Floral Kingdom and the Cape Point Nature Reserve. In the reserve, we travel along undulating roads that lead down to the Cape of Good Hope, which is the very South Western most tip of the Cape Peninsula. We walk along the cliffs to Cape Point for a trip up to explore the historic lighthouse. Afterwards we’ll head to the Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point for lunch.

The journey hugs the False Bay coastline, incorporating the African Penguin breeding colony en-route back to Simonstown. You can get really close to the Penguins by strolling along the wooden boardwalks that thread through the dense vegetation, over the dunes and round Foxy Beach – with such a beautiful setting and ever-obliging birds you’re sure to get some great photos.

Make sure you have a swimming costume in the summer so you can cool off with a Penguin, snorkel, or just sit on this Blue Flag beach and admire the view (equipment provided).

Some of the day’s highlights include:

• Exploring the Table Mountain National Park and Cape Point
• The national park provides an ideal opportunity to view first-hand the magnificent Fynbos vegetation, birdlife, endemic antelope species and Zebra, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks.

• Accommodation: Magellans Passage or similar
• Included Activities: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, False Bay
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
• Cycling: 40km (You choose)

Day 7 Saturday – Tokai, Constantia Winelands & Kirstenbosch

Today is spent riding short distances to great venues, in what we believe is the most beautiful setting in the world. It incudes wholesome organic foods, heritage sites and a walk in the botanical gardens. Also, depending on group preferences and time of the year we might take in a summer concert in the Botanical Gardens, or an open air Shakespeare play.

We start our cycling day at Noordhoek Farm Village. From there we will cycle the magnificent Chapmans Peak Drive, through Hout Bay via Victoria Drive, Suikerbossie, Llandudno, Oudekraal, Bakoven, Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, Sea Point, 3 Anchor Bay, Mouille Point and Granger Bay, to Oranjezicht City Farm Market for lunch.

After lunch, we drive to Kirstenbosch for a walk in the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and end the after at Groot Constantia.

As always, there are plenty of photographic opportunities throughout the day.

• Accommodation: City Lodge V & A or similar
• Included Activities: Chapmans Peak Drive, Noordhoek Farm Village Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
• Cycling: 40km

Day 8 Sunday – Departure

Our guides will be on hand throughout the morning to help with any bike issues if you have bought your own. They can make sure everything is secured and ready for the journey.

Generally flights from Cape town to the UK take 12 hours. With the increase of 2 hours due to the time difference.

FURTHER TRAVEL INFORMATION

The first and last days mentioned in the itinerary are the arrival and departure days for tour start and end. Depending on the country you start in, you may have to leave a day early, subsequently, you will arrive one day later back home. This tour starts and ends in Cape Town. Route and overnight places may change due to unforeseen events.

Tour Guidebook and Packing Advice
On booking you will be sent detailed information on a wide range of topics including health advice, recommended clothing, money, visas and so on, to help you prepare for your holiday. If you have questions on these topics either now or after you have read this information, please contact us.

Geography & Climate
Cape Town is located at the most south-westerly point of Africa. The City is between Table Mountain, Devils Peak and the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Town has the same latitude as Sydney.
Wikipedia States "The Cape Town region generally, with its Mediterranean climate, extensive coastline, rugged mountain ranges, coastal plains, inland valleys and semi-desert fringes, has much in common with Southern California"

The Cape Peninsula's Mediterranean climate has average temperatures during December to March sitting below 28°C, with a South East wind. Which means the relative humidity is a very comfortable 70% on average. Please note humidity and “relative humidity” can, and do feel very different.

Cycling Terrain
This tour explores South African on its back roads, which are ideal for cycling. Some are in good condition, some are potholed and slightly rougher. We also cycle on well maintained dirt roads or rougher tracks in a few locations. The wine estates have easy singletrack, mountain bike routes in them. A mountain bike would be suitable for this tour. You can always choose to rent a bike from us, if you do not wish to fly with your own.

Accommodation & Food
We use hotels with en-suite rooms. All places provide good food and most have swimming pools and spacious grounds. We visit many local cafes, restaurants, winelands and bars so you get a full flavour of local culture and cuisine. For meals not included there are many places to eat with prices ranging from £5-£10 in a decent café up to £10 or £15 in a very good restaurant (depending on the food you order), with drinks costing approximately £1 for a commercial beer to £2 for a craft beer. A very good bottle of wine in a restaurant is £8 – £14.

Cycle Rental
We can provide high quality, well maintained rental bikes in South Africa for this tour. Bikes are provided in the country, and will be ready for you when you arrive. Our UK tour leaders are experts at cycle mechanics and setup so will ensure that your bike is correctly adjusted for you. This extra care has made a big difference to many clients over the years – ensuring that they remain comfortable on the bike and get the most out of their cycling.

Passports’ & Visas
A full passport is required for entry in to South Africa, by UK citizens. No visa is required for a holiday duration less than 90 days.

Flight Options
This trip is timed to fit with the most popular flights to South Africa – on Emirates Airlines, KLM etc. We provide our tours at a flight exclusive price to allow you to select your own travel arrangements, if you prefer. However, we do work in partnership with a flight agent who has taken care of our clients for over 15 years, and is an expert at ensuring that cycles travel with you smoothly (if you want to take your own). If you would like some extra nights accommodation either pre or post tour we’d be happy to arrange these for you.