Cycling South Africa's Garden Route
Experience Overview
Designed alongside Cape Town’s Tarryn Povey, one of southern Africa’s top marathon mountain bikers, this thrilling cycling adventure in South Africa showcases the utter beauty of the Garden Route. Riding from Cape Town to Knysna, we explore the Cape Winelands, tackle mountain passes, and discover the semi-arid desert of the Little Karoo. There’s also time to stay on a wine estate, visit the ostrich capital of the world, and quiz your tour leaders on all things bikes.
Profile
— Accommodation: 13 Superior nights (hotels) — Travel by private minibus — Support vehicle available for most of the adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 13 Superior nights (hotels) — Travel by private minibus — Support vehicle available for most of the adventure
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Average daily distance: 35mi (57km)Cycling days: 12Maximum ascent: 3,940ft (1,200m)Maximum distance: 53mi (85km)
Support vehicle: We have a support vehicle with us for most of the adventure, except for the mountain passes on days 10 and 12, and across the Red Bridge on Day 13.
Legal note: All group members joining this tour are asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the trip. It’s a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association, of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.
Eating Drinking
Food on this trip is very similar to the kind of food you are used to at home, though there may be the opportunity to try local meats such as ostrich, kudu or eland. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this trip – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.
The provided water is safe, clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.
Transportation
We use a minibus for this trip. Each is fitted with forward-facing seats and tows a luggage trailer. They have large windows for good views while touring.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Harbour Bridge, 1 Dockrail Rd, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 431 9202
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Getting to the start hotel
We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Flying via Johannesburg
If you are travelling on flights via Johannesburg, please note that you will need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Port Elizabeth (and even if you are told you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight – you do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.
Catching your return flight
We provide free departure transfers for everyone from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
Summer is from October to April and the average daytime temperature is 25C-30C (77F-86F). The average night-time temperature is 10C-20C (50F-68F). Summer is typically dry and warm, but the southeasterly wind can blow up to 43mph (70kph) at least a few times a month. This helps to cool things but can be a little unpleasant if one is walking in exposed areas.
Winter is from May to September and average temperatures are colder. In general, however, the Cape Town climate is quite mild. Most of the rainfall is in winter but it is frontal rain off the Atlantic. Therefore, it can rain solidly for two days, and in between there will be warm, sunny days. It is fairly common to experience tabletop clouds on the higher mountains.
Our itinerary is flexible enough to accommodate any major changes in weather and still make it enjoyable.
Spending Money
Meals not included: Dinners cost on average 340-510 rand (US$20‐US$30) per person and lunches are around 135-220 rand (US$8-US$13). Allow about 170 rand (US$10) per day for incidentals.
Optional excursions
All prices listed are subject to change:
— Robben Island, Cape Town: 600 rand (US$35). If you would like to book this excursion, please advise us at least four weeks before travel (ideally when you book the trip). We will take all names and the tickets will then be payable locally – this is to avoid disappointment as it is a popular tour. Once you have signed up, we cannot accept cancellations. Refunds will only be issued if we are refunded by the ticket office for adverse weather conditions etc. — Cape Town township tour: 850 rand (US$45) per person — Cable car up Table Mountain: 370 rand (US$20)
Please note that the Table Mountain cable car closes during winter for its annual maintenance. We advise checking their website for exact dates: https://www.tablemountain.net/
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work. Tipping is optional but we recommend approximately 80-100 rand (US$4.70-US$5.80) per person per day. You may also want to budget for porter tips if you need help taking your luggage to your rooms.
Highlights
— Cycle the Garden Route, the greatest road trip in South Africa — Gaze over vineyards and mountains as you ride through the Cape Winelands — Tackle Route 62, the most scenic cycling road in the country — Ride through the rugged semi-desert of the Karoo — Stay at an award-winning wine estate in the Cape Winelands
Trip Details
Product Code: 35438
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: touring.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: MGR
Starts: Cape Town, Cape Town
Finishes: Cape Town, Cape Town
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— All breakfasts, four lunches and one dinner — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughoutAccommodation
HotelsWe aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines. Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book. Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,755 ($646 /day)
Itinerary
Begin your adventure in cosmopolitan Cape Town, undeniably beautiful, culturally rich and a gateway to world-leading vineyards. At 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 dinner at a local restaurant. Want to explore Cape Town further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: Harbour Bridge (or similar)
Our first ride of the adventure takes us along the Cape Peninsula to Stellenbosch, the beating heart of South Africa’s wine country. Along the way, we pass rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, and dramatic mountain passes, and ride through lively seaside communities. Highlights include: Chapmans Peak, which ranks among the most scenic coastal roads in the world; the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve; and Boulders Beach, which is populated by a protected rookery of critically endangered African penguins. Accommodation: Stellenbosch Hotel (or similar)
Ride through the Cape Winelands today, where vineyards and mountain backdrops create a scenic cycling route. Our journey takes us from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek, two of the most iconic wine towns in South Africa, via vineyards and historic towns. Enjoy the peaceful countryside, with plenty of opportunities to slow down and take in the views. This route offers a mix of gentle climbs and scenic descents. Accommodation: Centre-Ville (or similar)
Embark on a captivating ride to the riverside community of Botrivier through a mix of vineyards and farmlands. Riding through the heart of the Cape Winelands, enjoy quiet country roads and dramatic mountain views on a route that combines rolling terrain and scenic descents. Highlights include the Franschhoek Pass, Theewaterskloof Dam and the Van Der Stel Pass. We end the day at Wildekrans Wine Estate, an award-winning producer of wines and olive oil set within the beautiful Bot River Valley among fields of indigenous renosterbos shrubs. Accommodation: Wildekrans Wine Estate (or similar)
After a scenic one-hour transfer to the starting point, gear up for an exciting ride through the Robertson Valley, another renowned wine-producing region. Our route includes tranquil roads surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and expansive farmlands, offering a peaceful escape with views of the valley and mountains. Accommodation: theLAB Robertson (or similar)
Set off for Montagu, part of the Little Karoo (or Klein Karoo) region. This ride, one of the most scenic routes in the Western Cape, takes you through the vast open landscapes of the Breede River Valley, with views of rugged mountains, expansive vineyards, and rural farmlands. The terrain offers a mix of smooth stretches and gentle climbs, providing a perfect balance of challenges and relaxation. As you approach Montagu, known for its orchards, vineyards and hot springs, the landscape transitions into dramatic mountain passes, offering sweeping views that make every pedal stroke worthwhile. Accommodation: Montagu Country Hotel (or similar)
Embark on a captivating ride along Route 62, one of the most iconic and scenic cycling routes in South Africa. Pedal through a mix of small towns, vast vineyards, and rolling farmlands as you make your way to Bonnievale. The route is lined with impressive mountain backdrops, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views. Known for its rural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, this journey offers an immersive way to experience the heart of the Little Karoo. Accommodation: Karoo Art Hotel (or similar)
Enjoy an unforgettable out-and-back cycling adventure through the Tradouw Pass. Pedalling through this natural wonder, we’re surrounded by dramatic cliffs, lush vegetation, and winding roads that carve through the mountains. Mid-morning, we stop for snacks, a chance to refuel and enjoy the magnificent scenery. The pass offers a perfect mix of challenges and beauty, with a combination of climbs and thrilling descents. The breathtaking scenery unfolds with each turn, making it a truly immersive experience within the raw beauty of this iconic pass. Accommodation: Karoo Art Hotel (or similar)
Begin your day with a scenic transfer to the legendary Ronnie’s Sex Shop, which (despite the name) is actually a popular pub and much-photographed landmark. From here, cycle into the rugged Karoo, where the vast, open terrain offers endless views of arid plains, rocky hills, and towering mountains. Pedalling through this semi-desert region, we experience classic Karoo landscapes of unique vegetation and wide-open skies. Accommodation: Rooiberg Lodge (or similar)
Start your day with a challenging yet rewarding ride to Calitzdorp, taking on the formidable Rooiberg Pass. As you ascend the pass, enjoy views of the rugged landscape and vast plains that stretch for miles, while also stopping for mid-morning snacks. The descent into Calitzdorp offers a thrilling finish, with sweeping views of the Little Karoo’s unique terrain. Wrap up the day with a transfer to Oudtshoorn, known for being the ostrich capital of the world. Accommodation: Cango Wildlife Ranch (or similar)
Begin with a scenic transfer to the Cango Caves, a natural wonder in the Swartberg Mountains, where we gear up for a thrilling ascent to the Swartberg Pass. The climb offers challenging terrain, but the reward is panoramic views of the mountains and valleys. After reaching the summit, enjoy the exhilarating descent to a farmstall at the bottom of the pass, where you can refuel and relax before the next stage of your adventure. Accommodation: The Riempie Estate – Oudtshoorn (or similar)
Set off from Oudtshoorn and cycle over the Montagu Pass, heading towards the coast. Enjoy panoramic views as we ascend and then a thrilling descent as we approach the coastal region. The ride combines mountain vistas and the cool coastal breeze as we head into George, while also capturing the transition from the dry Karoo to the greener, more temperate climate of the Western Cape coast. Accommodation: Loerie Guest Lodge (or similar)
Start with a transfer to a tea stop along the Seven Passes Road, a scenic route that winds through forests and picturesque landscapes. After a relaxing start, set off for a ride through verdant surroundings, culminating at the Knysna Lagoon. As you cycle along the water’s edge, enjoy views of tranquil waters, greenery, and coastal beauty. It finishes with a peaceful ride along one of the most scenic spots in the Garden Route. Accommodation: aha The Rex Hotel (or similar)
After an unforgettable cycling trip, we begin our return journeys home. If you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
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