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Winelands and Whale Route Tour - 7 Day (Code T24) |
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 The Winelands and Whale Route tour is a Luxury South Africa Tour which departs from Cape Town. The tour is private and can start on any date specified by clients.
The tour focuses on providing clients with an experience in the wine producing region of the Western Cape, before traveling on to the Overberg Coast and the town of Hermanus. The Southern Right Whale, frequently visits the waters of this coast, from the month of May to November.
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Tour Detail |
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| Prices vary depending on the time of year and the size of your traveling party. Please send us a request with your particular requirements. We will return a detailed, no obligation quotation to you, within 24hrs of receiving the request. We can quote you in any currency of your choice. Bookings confirmed with a deposit more than six months in advance are subject to a discount of 5%. |
| Tour Price: |
From R15 720 to R20 383 (South African Rand) per person sharing |
| Tour Starting Date: |
Any date specified by clients, this is a private tour |
| Tour Starting Point: |
Anywhere in Cape Town |
| Tour Ending Point: |
Anywhere in Cape Town |
| What is Included: |
Below the detailed itinerary |
| What is Excluded: |
Below the detailed itinerary |
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Tour Itinerary |
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Day 1: Winelands - Franschhoek
Guests are met at any location of their choice in Cape Town from where we travel to and explore the town of Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch was founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679. He ordered the planting of Oak Trees, lining the streets and gardens. The City of Oaks, is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa and is home to the University of Stellenbosch. In the early days of the Second Boer War Stellenbosch was a British military base, and was used as a 'remount' camp in consequence of officers who had not distinguished themselves at the front. The town lies at the foot of the Cape Fold mountain range, which provides soil favorable to viticulture. Grapes grown in this area are mainly used for wine production, as opposed to table grapes. We then visit two wine estates near Stellenbosch for some insight into the wine making process before traveling to the town of Franschhoek.
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| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
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| Meals: Dinner |
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Day 2: Winelands - Franschhoek
The Cape Dutch architecture in Franschhoek is untouched, with restrictions having been placed on the extent of renovations and new construction in order to preserve the spirit of the original settlers to the area. We visit the Huguenot Museum. The three high arches symbolize the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The central female figure, personifies religious freedom with a bible in her one hand and broken chain in the other. She is casting off her cloak of oppression and her position on top of the globe shows her spiritual freedom.The fleur-de-lis on her robe represents a noble spirit and character. The French Huguenots brought their knowledge of viticulture with them and upon receiving land from the Dutch East India Company many vineyards where established producing till today some of the world’s finest wines. After exploring the town visits are made to three wine estates in the Drakenstein Valley. This area is renowned for the fine quality wines it produces.
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| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 3: Whale Route - Hermanus
After an enjoyable breakfast we make our way up the Franschhoek Pass. The pass is famous for its views of the Franschhoek Valley. It was originally known as the Olifantspad (elephants path) used by migrating herds. Man simply just followed these tracks to form the scenic route. The pass slowly descent's down to the Du Toits River at the foot of the pass.
The area lacks the fertility of the Drakenstein Valley and appears arid although it is improved by the presence of the Theewaterskloof dam. The road leads to Grabouw located in the Elgin Valley, which is sandwiched between the Hottentots-Holland, Kogelberg and Groenland Mountains. The Elgin Valley is intensively used for the cultivation of apples, pears, plums and other deciduous fruit. The countryside road joins the main highway reaching the town of Hermanus. Hermanus, known as the area with the best land based whale watching, has since August 1992 had the world’s only Whale Crier who sounds his kelp horn to announce when whales have been sighted. Guests spend the afternoon at leisure making use of the walk way running alongside the coast with views of the ocean. The day will end enjoying a cocktail overlooking the ocean. |
| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 4: Whale Route -Hermanus
Hermanus being well-known for the Whales that make their way to Walker Bay to calf and mate during the months of May to November is also renowned for its fishing and perlemoen. The perlemoen derives its South African name from a corruption of the Dutch perlemoen, meaning mother-of-pearl, from the beautiful pearl-lined interior of its shell. It is known internationally as abalone or Venus ear. We visit the Hamilton Russell Wine Estate before enjoying lunch in town. After some time for relaxation guests will board a whale charter in New Harbour. The charter offers guests a closer look at the Giants of the Ocean with spectacular displays of Southern Right whales breaching the water, tail slapping and spy-hopping.
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| Overnight: Marine Hermanus |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 5: Whale Route - Arniston
After breakfast the road turns inland offering guest’s sightings of South Africa’s National bird, the Blue Crane. These tall standing birds are endangered and are very special to the Xhosa, “Indwe” in the native tongue. When a man distinguished himself by deeds of valor, he was would be decorated by the feathers of this bird as a mark of honour. We make our way towards Bredasdorp, a small town established around a Dutch Reformed Church in 1838. Besides the sheep farming, the town also boasts other agricultural activities, including wheat, milk, and indigenous fynbos cultivation.
The tour then travels on to Cape Agulhas. In Portuguese “Cabo das Agulhas", Cape of Needles. It is the geographic southern tip of the African continent where we visit the lighthouse and museum. We reach the overnight destination, Arniston during the afternoon. Arniston is named after a ship that wrecked on the rocks at Waenhuiskrans. Only six of the 378 souls on board survived and were discovered by a farmer’s son on the beach after several days. It is a beautiful coastal town with a unique character. |
| Overnight: Arniston Hotel |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 6: Whale Route - Arniston
Guests enjoy a guided tour of the village with a local from the community. Regarded as a living national monument, insight is gained into the village's fascinating past and some of the relics recovered from the ocean bed, such as coins, utensils and personal items, are on display. The afternoon is spent strolling down to the harbor where we watch the fishing boats coming in with the day's catch. We then take a walk to the Waenhuiskrans caves. Arniston Bay offers excellent whale sightings when the whales come to the secluded bay to calve and mate.
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| Overnight: Arniston Hotel |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 7: Departure
Guests will return to Cape Town via a scenic coastal route traversing the town of Betties Bay and Rooi Els ending in Gordons Bay. En Route several stops are made at vantage points from where the Southern Right Whale can potentially be spotted. |
| Overnight: None |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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| African Sky has been conducting quality South Africa Tours and African Tours for more than 10 years. We offer both luxury tours as well as family tours in South Africa and Southern Africa. If none of our standard South African Tour itineraries meet with your approval, we will gladly tailor make a tour to suit your requirements. |
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- Accommodation as specified in the Itinerary
- Services of a registered guide/Resident Rangers
- Meals as specified in the Itinerary
- Tourism Levy
- All Applicable Taxes
- All Land Transportation in air conditioned vehicles
- All Activities and Entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary
- All Park Fees if Applicable
- International Airfare (Getting to South Africa and getting back home)
- Personal and Medical Insurance
- Activities not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Meals not specifically stated in the itinerary
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Winelands and Whale Route Tour Includes: 
