Überblick:

Cape Garden Route Cycle Tour

Your tour begins in Cape Town and winds through the rugged scenery of the Little Karoo, along the legendary
Garden Route, and ends in Addo Elephant National Park on the Eastern Cape. This route is perfect for discerning travellers seeking a combination of adventure and creature comforts, such as well appointed and charming accommodations.

Enjoy plenty of easy cycling though stunning scenery, plus many other activities, including hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park and the Robberg Peninsula near Plettenberg Bay, exploring the ancient Cango Caves, soaking up the flavour of the Klein Karoo, wine tasting in Stellenbosch, and tracking the “Big Five” on safari in Addo Elephant National Park.

What to expect

This tour offers mainly easy rides throughout the trip as well as some moderate terrain for those who are a bit fitter and want some extra mileage. It is ideal for casual or novice cyclists and is definitely suitable for enthusiastic cyclists.

The rides are mainly on tar roads, but one or two rides are on dirt roads. Most days the rides have extra sections available for those feeling like they want do more. We have chosen quiet scenic roads on the whole, so that the cycling is relaxed and you can enjoy soaking up the scenery.

As our tours are PRIVATE with your own personalised experienced tour leader and vehicle you have freedom of choice of various activities. We can customise the itinerary to suit your requirements.

We could either use mountain bikes or “Hybrid” touring bikes; with flat wide handlebars, comfortable seats and are user-friendly, even for a novice.

You are also welcome to bring your own pedals or seat that we will fit for you. You are also welcome to bring your own bike.

Average Daily Mileage: 24-50 km
Average Cycling Time: 2-5 hours

Ablauf:

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town/Transfer to hotel/ Meet Trip Leaders/Warm-up ride

Guests are met at Cape Town International airport by AWOL Tour leader and transferred to your hotel to freshen up. Then we head out for an afternoon warm-up ride under Table Mountain along Tafelberg Road and Signal Hill
Road for those feeling energetic.

Before the ride, we will fit you out correctly on the bike that you will be using for
the rest of the trip. There will also be a brief safety and bike orientation session before the ride. After the ride, we will go up Table Mountain on the Cableway for sundowners – an awesome time to be on the mountain.

Dinner will be on your own arrangements tonight - choosing from many interesting restaurants at the V&A waterfront or near the hotel along Beach Road.

• Cape Town Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: none
• Daily Cycling Options: 10 or 24 km

Day 2: Cycle in Cape Winelands/Wine-tasting and lunch at wine estate/Welcome reception dinne

Breakfast will be served from 7am. Meet for day overview and briefing at 8am. After breakfast, we transfer (60 minutes) to Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is the second-oldest town in South Africa and home to the oldest Wine Route in the Cape.

We start our ride at the Toy & Miniature Museum, and admire the Cape Dutch architecture of the town while you take in the scenery from your bicycle seat. The ride takes us into the Jonkershoek valley, which ranks among the most beautiful in the Cape. The ride ends at Lanzerac, where we eat a tasty picnic lunch accompanied by local wines.

Welcome reception and dinner tonight in a Cape Town home, hosted by chef and character Sophia Lindop and her husband Paddy.

• Cape Town Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L, D
• Daily Cycling Options: 28 km

Day 3: Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve/Township Tour

This morning, we shuttle to Simon’s Town with great coastal views of False Bay. We then visit the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach, a unique conservation effort in an urban area. Afterward, we visit Cape Point itself and then cycle along undulating roads amongst pristine fynbos, primarily within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

Depending on prevailing winds, you will ride south to north or vice versa. Relax and enjoy lunch at the Cape Farmhouse restaurant near Red Hill.

In the afternoon, we participate in a township tour by bike, where we gain insight into the Xhosa culture and discuss socio-economic problems the local residents face in urban South Africa.

A visit to the Sangoma is followed by tea and “vetkoek’ in the home of a local lady! After a long day out, choose from many interesting restaurants at the V&A waterfront for dinner on your own arrangements.

• Cape Town Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L
• Daily Cycling Options: 26 km or 35 km

Day 4: Karoo scenery and mountain passes en route to De Rust/Visit an ostrich farm/Afternoon ride through rural South Africa

After breakfast, depart for a six hour transfer to De Rust. We will be travelling along scenic Route 62 through the Little Karoo with lunch along the way at Rietfontein Farm, one of the original Ostrich Palaces. We visit a working Ostrich Farm after lunch.

In late afternoon we check in to our accommodations in De Rust. Once settled in, we head out on our bikes from the lodge for a late afternoon ride along a dirt track past ostrich farms exploring this beautiful valley. Dinner tonight will be a generous fresh buffet.

• Oudtshoorn Guesthouse: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L, D
• Daily Cycling Options: 14 km or 21 km

Day 5: Ride through Meiringspoort/ Visit the ancient Cango Caves/ Donkey cart ride

This morning after breakfast, we cycle through the vast expanse of the Swartberg Mountains. Enjoy 24 or 48 km of mostly flat riding on the awesome road through Meiringspoort, wedged between the spectacular twisting sandstone formations of the Cape Fold Mountains.

After lunch back at the guesthouse we explore the Cango Caves with their magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations. Back in De Rust, take an optional donkey cart ride in true Karoo style. Dinner is a traditional braai back at the guesthouse.

• Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L, D
• Daily Cycling Options: 24 km or 48 km

Day 6: Cycle through indigenous Knysna Rainforest, from Rheenendal to Buffels Bay

Today’s ride takes you through lush farmlands interspaced with indigenous afro-montane forests down to the Indian Ocean and beautiful white beaches. After a leisurely breakfast, the shuttle (90 minutes) will take us to  Rheenendal, where the ride will start. The ride ends on the coast at Buffel’s Bay where we will enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach.

The lodge is just a half-hour shuttle ride away. Dinner tonight is served at the lodge after drinks in the Cigar Lounge.

• Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L, D
• Daily Cycling Options: 26 km or 36 km

Day 7: Ride Bloukrans Pass/Eat lunch overlooking the sea, Tsitsikamma National Park

Pedal quiet roads today, riding through the old Bloukrans Pass amidst lush Afromontane forest and taking lunch in Tsitsikamma National Park overlooking the Indian Ocean. Hike through the forest and relax on the beach, where the ocean is ideal for swimming.

Dinner is on your own tonight in Plettenberg Bay, where you have some time to explore. We will shuttle you into town and take you to the restaurant of your choice.

• Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L
• Daily Cycling Options: 30 km or 45km

Day 8: Hike around Robberg Peninsula/ Addo Elephant National Park Sundowner game drive

After breakfast we have the option to hike along the Robberg Peninsula with beautiful coastal views of Plettenberg bay. The rest of the morning is spent travelling (four hours) to new accommodations in Sunlands, where a light picnic lunch precedes an afternoon game drive. Here, you might see the Big Five, other wildlife, and many birds.

As the sun sets slowly in the African sky, the animal activity increases, as do the chances of excellent viewings. Cap your safari with sundowner drinks in the bush. Later, return to the hotel in the Addo area and soak up the beauty of the Eastern Cape surroundings.

• Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L, D
• Daily Cycling Options: no cycling today

Day 9: Ride from Paterson into Addo Elephant National Park/Afternoon game drive

Ride this morning on country roads flanked by Addo Park, with the Zuurberg Mountains in the background. Stop for a relaxing picnic lunch at the waterhole waiting for wildlife to come down for an afternoon splash.

In the afternoon, return to Addo Elephant National Park for a final safari: search for the elephant, jackal and lion. Relax back at the lodge in the evening and enjoy a festive farewell dinner with the group.

• Hotel: Variety options available depending on budget
• Meals: B, L, D
• Daily Cycling Options: 26 km

Day 10: Transfer to Port Elizabeth / Onward flights home

There is a last optional early morning ride in Sundays River Valley to a viewpoint. After breakfast, checkout and transfer to the airport in Port Elizabeth. Onward flights home (own arrangements or booked in advance with AB).

• Hotel: TBA
• Meals: B
• Daily Cycling Options: 13 km

Details:

Tour Pricing

Budget Accommodation: Camping or staying in Backpackers is R1700 per person per day
Comfortable Accommodation: Farm stay and log cabins is R2000 per person sharing per day
Luxury Accommodation: 5 star lodges and Guesthouses is from R2500 per person sharing per day

What´s included

• 9 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels and guesthouses
• All meals except 3 dinners – 2 in Cape Town, 1 in Plettenberg Bay
• FREE use of a bicycle, and helmet
• Services of qualified and experienced Trip Leaders
• Full van support during rides
• Daily route directions and maps
• Sightseeing and cultural activities (game drives, township tours, hiking and all park entrances)

What´s excluded

• Any flights (ie. PE to Cape Town/Durban/Joburg on departure at end of tour)
• Alcoholic and other beverages
• Note: flights can be booked by us on request – must be well in advance

Booking conditions and cancellations:

• Bookings need to be made at least 48 hours in advance for day tours and one month in advance for overnight trips.
• All tours are private and require a minimum two guests and maximum five guests (Please enquire on special rates for groups of 5 up to
  60 guests)
• The booking will be confirmed once full payment is received.
• On Cape Day tours cancellation notification needs to be made 48 hours prior to the day tour for a full refund to be given.
• On overnight trips, cancellations need to be made one month in advance of tour commencement for a refund. Refunds on accommodation
  bookings cannot be guaranteed.
• Prices are subject to availability and can change without prior notice unless confirmed bookings have been made.
• AWOL reserves the right to cancel due to changes in weather conditions in which case the tour will be postponed or a full refund given at
  the discretion of AWOL Tours cc.

Reiseveranstalter/Unterkunftsanbieter

PO Box 17, Muizenberg 7950, Cape Town, South Africa

Nachhaltigkeit:

AWOL’s responsibility

to the environment

• Planting indigenous trees and vegetation rehabilitation on tour itineraries with the approval of relevant Nature reserve officials, thus assisting travellers to offset the carbon footprint or ‘cost’ of travelling
• Promoting and assisting programmes that remove alien vegetation from natural habitats
• Supporting local environmental organisations for example visiting wine estates that are members of the ‘Biodiversity Wine Initiative’
• Groups are guided as to what type of seafood to order in restaurants so as to avoid eating endangered species as prescribed by South African Sustainable Seafood Institute (SASSI)
• Encouraging minimal use of water
• We aim to reduce the levels of energy use in our offices and recycle all office waste where possible

to society

• Encouraging genuine and real interactions between locals and tourists
• Respecting local laws and customs, bearing in mind the rights of the local population.
• Assisting disadvantaged individuals, to become self-employed.
• Researching sustainable and ethical products bought and consumed by tourists, e.g. tourists are advised which tourism curios are made of environmentally sustainable materials and which best support the local communities.
• AWOL Tours support the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation who seeks to contribute towards eliminating poverty through undertaking original research and engaging with communities to develop and advance innovative approaches to strengthening livelihoods. Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation is a non-profit organisation and registered Section 21 (not-for-gain) company.

to the economy

• Supporting locally-owned and run accommodation in preference to foreign-owned hotel chains
• Purchasing where possible locally-made goods and sustainably harvested products
• Encouraging tourists to purchase genuine crafts from local suppliers
• Using local suppliers that practice responsible tourism policies
• We abide by the laws of the country by paying licenses, memberships fees and taxes!
• All profits are generated back into the local economy

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa

Fairer Handel im Tourismus, Südafrika (FTTSA) unterstützt und wirbt für faire und verantwortungsvolle Geschäftspraktiken in südafrikanischen Touristikunternehmen.

Fairer Handelm im Tourismus

Beim fairen Handel in der Reisebranche geht es darum, dass die Menschen, deren Land, natürliche Ressourcen, Arbeitskraft, Wissen und Kultur für touristische Aktivitäten genutzt werden, tatsächlich Nutzen aus dem Tourismus ziehen.

1999 begründete Tourism Concern, eine Organisation mit Sitz in London, ein internationales Netzwerk für fairen Handel im Tourismus, das sich vornehmlich auf die Ziele Forschung, Interessenvertretung und Informationsaustausch konzentrierte.

Am 13. Juni 2002, wurde in Südafrika offiziell das "Fair Trade in Tourism SA"-Handelszeichen ins Leben gerufen - und damit erstmals in der Geschichte der Fair Trade Bewegung ein Handels- oder Markenzeichen im Bereich des Tourismus geschaffen.

Am 22. Oktober 2003 sind die ersten Nutzerunternehmen anerkannt worden.

Das FTTSA Siegel

Als erstes seiner Art weltweit dient das FTTSA-Siegel als unabhängiges Symbol für Fairness in der Touristikbranche.

Es wird an Unternehmen der Touristikbranche verliehen, die strenge Qualitätsmerkmale einhalten müssen:

• Faire Gehälter und Arbeitsbedingungen, faire Transaktionen, Einkäufe und soziale Absicherung von Mitarbeitern/-innen
• Ethisch verantwortungsvolle Unternehmensführung und Sozialverträglichkeit
• Respekt für Menschenrechte, Kultur und Umwelt

Unternehmen, die sich um den Erhalt des FTTSA Handelszeichen bewerben, erhalten zum Beispiel dafür Anerkennung, dass sie lokale Güter und Dienstleistungen verwenden, Mitarbeiter/-innen beruflich weiterbilden, Gesundheits- und HIV/Aids-Aufklärung betreiben, Maßnahmen zur Förderung des Umweltbewusstseins durchführen und die lokalen Bevölkerungen unterstützen.

Als ersten Schritt müssen Unternehmen der Touristikbranche eine eingehende Selbsteinschätzung vornehmen, bevor sie einer unabhängigen Untersuchung vor Ort unterzogen werden. Auf der Grundlage des Berichts einer Expertenkommission bekommen erfolgreiche Kandidaten das Handelszeichen verliehen. Die Verwendung des Handelszeichens wird streng durch die Mitarbeiter/-innen von FTTSA überwacht, um die hohen Qualitätsstandards aufrecht zu erhalten und die Effektivität des Handelszeichens als Marketing-Instrument zu steigern.

weitere Informationen: http://www.fairtourismsa.org.za