Cycling the Cape & Winelands

Begin your adventure in cosmopolitan Cape Town, undeniably beautiful, culturally rich and a gateway to the Cape and Winelands. If you arrive in good time we recommend a cable car ride up Table Mountain for fantastic views over Cape Town and the coast; a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; or a half-day trip to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other members of the ANC served long prison sentences (this can also be done on Day 12, depending on the weather on Table Mountain). Around 6pm, say howzit to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big South African welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want to explore Cape Town further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

This morning, we have a short transfer from our lodge to the harbour and then we cycle to Bloubergstrand, where the iconic pictures of Cape Town with Table Mountain as a backdrop are taken. After taking the obligatory photos, we continue cycling to Melkbosstrand, followed by 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 the Boschendal vineyards where we stop for a well-earned drink (optional) before transferring to our accommodation in Stellenbosch.

In the morning, we have a short transfer before cycling through Franschhoek and up the Franschhoek Pass (2,425ft/739m) for some of the most breath-taking views in the region. We then continue to cycle to the T junction, and do a short transfer to Villiersdorp. After lunch, we cycle towards Nuy Valley and then take a short transfer to Montagu.

Today we head east, cycling from our accommodation in Montagu to our accommodation in Barrydale. Along the way, 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 ancient indigenous cultures. We cycle a scenic backroad 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 wildflowers (in season). While here, we visit a local co-op cellar and have an opportunity to taste their produce, including the well-respected local chardonnay.

After breakfast, a short climb takes us up and over the spectacular Tradouws Pass. Near the top 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 Langeberg 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, with a short transfer, we reach our base for the night, Swellendam. From here, we drive to the Bontebok National Park, home to rare antelope, mountain zebras and endangered crane species. The park has two 1.2mi (2km) self-guided nature trails, which can be explored independently.

A short transfer (12mi/20km) brings us into the Overberg district, and we cycle through the cultivated farmlands of the Western Cape to Bredasdorp. The road gently rolls through neat wheat fields and remote fishing villages facing the Indian Ocean, arriving at Cape Agulhas. This is the southernmost point in Africa, and the newest national park in the country, encompassing vast wetlands, coastline and extending some kilometres out to sea. Whales and other sea life that frequent the warm Indian Ocean here enjoy the protection. It also provides a home to thousands of sea birds and seals that can be seen along the rugged beaches.

This morning, we cycle through the picturesque hamlet of Elim and past 34mi (55km) of undulating farmlands to the coastal town of Kleinbaai. Following lunch, we take a short transfer into Stanford where we can sample local beer at the Birkenhead Brewery. We finish our day in 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 June to November. In the afternoon, we have the option of cycling from one of the local viewpoints of Walker Bay along the Hermanus coastal road to our accommodation, offering the best chance of spotting the whales. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details