Internationale groepsreis Cape Town Cycle Tour Special (Cape Argus)

Land only clients already in South Africa will be picked at our pre-tour accommodation in Cape Town before picking up those passengers on the group flights and heading to the Cape Peninsula. This afternoon we set up our bikes and have a tour briefing before heading out to the Cape Point Nature Reserve where we will walk to the lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope. We will then get on our bikes and cycle back to our Guest House. *Quayside Hotel or similar*

Today we ride to Cape Town following a large section of the Cape Town Cycle Tour allowing us to familiarise ourselves with the route but also to enjoy the spectacular scenery. After an initial cycle along the naval road to the top of Red Hill looking out over False Bay, we head on the race route proper. We go via Kommetjie, Misty cliffs, Scarborough and through Noordhoek to the world famous Chapman's Peak Drive. We cycle over the peak to Hout Bay (the bus won't follow us up Chapman's Peak and instead will meet us at Hout Bay). After lunch we continue to Llundudnou and all along the coast to our guest house. *Sweetest guest house or similar*

After an early transfer from Cape Town to Franschhoek we get on the bikes and cycle the Franschhoek Pass with its stunning views. We continue on back roads around the Thee Waterkloof Dam towards Nuy Vallei cycling past the Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve. We transfer the final section of main road to our guest farm. *Nuy Valley Guest House or similar*

Today the scenery changes again as we cross into the semi-arid Karoo. We start with a transfer to Montagu before climbing behind the handlebars and cycling the scenic back roads of the Little Karoo. Our destination is the quiet, old, Dutch village of Barrydale nestled in a fertile valley surrounded by a colourful mix of vines, fruit and wild flowers. *Tradouw Guest House or similar*

Heading back towards the coast, today's main highlight is the spectacular Tradouws Pass. As we climb towards the top of the pass, there is an old prison camp which once homed the convicts who built the pass in 1873. From the top the pass is mainly downhill through the Langeberge Mountains. We continue through the small town of Suurbrak, built by the London Missionary Society in 1812. From here we have a short transfer along the N2 highway. We get back on our bikes and cycle through cultivated farmlands to Bredarsdorp. Following a late lunch we transfer to the resort town of Hermanus. Known as the whale capital of the world due to the Southern Right whales which come from late August to November. *Windsor Hotel or similar*

One of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world, the Whale Route stretches out all the way to Gordon's Bay. We ride along this road with the Cape Fold Mountains to our right and the Ocean to our left, through Bettie's Bay and ending in Gordon's Bay. From here we get in the bus and transfer back to Cape Town. *Sweetest Guest House or similar*

This morning we have the option of taking a short ride to do final checks on the bike before tomorrow's big day. In the afternoon we go out and register for the race and can spend some time taking in the atmosphere and browsing the stalls. *Sweetest Guest House or similar*

Today is the big day! Starting from the centre of Cape Town the cycle tour will take us along the M3 to Lakeside where we join Main Road. We continue through Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek. From there we take the coastal road to Simonstown and then go past the entrance to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. We continue to Scarborough and Oceanview before getting to Chapman's Peak and up Suikerbossie, finally arriving at Green Point. *Sweetest Guest House or similar*

Today is a free day to explore Cape Town some more, do a bit of shopping at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, or possibly visit Robben Island. The tour ends in the afternoon.