Day 1: Fly from London - Johannesburg
Depart UK bound for Johannesburg.
Day 2: Johannesburg-Plettenberg Bay
Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to a connecting flight to George. Transfer to the hotel in Plettenberg Bay for a well deserved shower. The afternoon gives us time to assemble the bikes and have a detailed trip briefing.
Day 3: Plettenberg Bay – Knysna
We leave our hotel for the start of our ride. We have a tough first day with some big climbs on dirt roads through indigenous forest. After passing through the Kransbos Forest we head back for the coast, descending to our camp by the lagoons of Knysna.
Cycling distance 60 km
Day 4: Knysna - Wilderness
After a good breakfast we start our ride in the heart of the beautiful Garden Route, through dense indigenous forest and farmland. This is a tough day with steep climbs through the Seven Passes Valley before a great descent into our coastal camp in Wilderness.
Cycling distance 90 km
Day 5: Wilderness - Oudtshoorn
This is a day of contrast as we continue along the rolling coastline and farmland to George. Turning north we begin to climb the breath-taking Montagu Pass, a 400m-switchback ascent. From our high point at over 600m, the afternoon is a beautiful rolling descent into the dry, wild open plains of the Klein Karoo. This is ostrich country! We may also see wildlife such as baboons and giraffes. We finish in camp just outside the town of Oudtshoorn.
Cycling distance 90 km
Day 6: Oudtshoorn - Van Wyksdorp
We leave camp and ride on tarmac roads for 40km over flat, dry desert plains before returning to familiar dirt roads which take us towards lunch. There is a tough 530m ascent over the Rooiberg Pass, with fantastic views of the Langeberg Mountains and across the African plains. A fantastic descent on loose dirt track follows the climb before the road starts to undulate in a series of short steep climbs and fast descents. The afternoon offers the chance of seeing native animals before arriving at tonight’s camp.
Cycling distance 90 km
Day 7: Van Wyksdorp - Heidelberg
This a long tough day starting with rolling dirt roads and a short section of tarmac before hitting the first of four climbs into a great mountain pass over the Langeberg Mountains. The ride finishes with another steep climb into a beautiful campsite named ‘Big Father’s Bush.’
Cycling distance 110km
Day 8: Heidelberg - De Hoop
Riding across rolling farmland we can see the change in terrain as we move from arid plains to green pastures. We head down to the River Breede for our pontoon bridge crossing at Malgas. From here we continue to De Hoop Nature Reserve and our evening campsite.
Cycling distance 70km
Day 9: De Hoop - Cape Agulhas
Riding through rolling pasture we head on dirt roads to the small town of Bredasdorp. From here the road is tarmac and it is a straight flat run to Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point on the African continent. Riding past the lighthouse, the day finishes with a view across two oceans and a celebration befitting the effort of this fantastic achievement!
Cycling distance 80km
Day 10: Cape Agulhas - Cape of Good Hope
From our final camp in Cape Agulhas we drive to Walker Bay Marine Reserve, where we have a good chance of seeing dolphins and the southern right whale. The whales offer a spectacular photo opportunity as they breach within metres of the shore. From here we drive along the coast road to the penguin colony at Simons Town on the Cape Peninsula. Back on our bikes for the last time, we make our final ride (25km) through the Cape National Park to the Cape of Good Hope. After popping corks we will load up into the vehicles and head into Cape Town for our celebration meal.
Day 11: Free Day in Cape Town
Today you have the opportunity to relax and explore the city. Not to be missed is the cable car ride onto Table Mountain, where you can enjoy incredible views of Cape Town and the surrounding country.
Day 12: Depart Cape Town for the UK
We make our way to the airport for the early evening flight out of Cape Town bound for London.