Premium Cape Town and the Garden Route
Premium Cape Town and the Garden Route
Premium Cape Town and the Garden Route
9 Days Starting and ending in Cape Town
Visiting: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Knysna
Tour Overview
Spend nine days exploring Cape Town and The Garden Route in South Africa, filling your days with scenic landscapes and delicious food and wine. With a knowledgeable and experienced leader by your side, you’ll drive along Cape’s peninsula, stopping in at gorgeous bays, beaches and scenic viewpoints, before diving into the sobering history of slavery, Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment during a city tour. Then, you’ll head on to the Cape Winelands to your Feature Stay in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley for a scenic stay and a six-course feast of local cuisine with a wine pairing. Continue to indulge in local food and wine with a cooking class, group dinners and a home-cooked spread in a local family’s farm home. Go hiking in the Garden Route National Park, learn about local culture and lifestyles and end it all back in Cape Town, where you can hike up Table Mountain and soak up the last of the beautiful ocean landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: dinner
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. With its gorgeous coastline, modern cityscape and nearby mountains, Cape Town is one of Africa's most popular cities. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, why not get out and explore Cape Town, maybe with a walk in Newlands Forest or by jumping on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. You could also head down to the waterfront to see Cape Town Stadium up close. After the meeting, you’ll head out for dinner at a local restaurant set in a twentieth century Victorian house. Tuck into local dishes made from seasonal produce and free-range, responsibly sourced meats as you toast to the start of your adventure.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
Head out early for a tour of the peninsula. Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard to Maiden’s Cove, then continue to Hout Bay’s fishing harbour to soak up the views from Sentinel Lookout. Head on along Chapmans Peak Drive for panoramic views across the bay and Noordhoek Beach. Then, head to the Cape of Good Hope, within the Table Mountain Nature Reserve. Look out for the local wildlife as you take a walk up to the restored lighthouse at Cape Point. From here, you may be able to see the spot where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet! Carry on to Boulders Beach, where you can see the resident colony of African penguins. This afternoon, retrace over 300 years of Cape Town’s dramatic history on a walking tour. Learn about the impact of Apartheid and the effect of racism and discrimination on the lives of the local people. Visit the Castle of Good Hope (the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa), significant slavery sites like the Iziko Slave Lodge Museum, the District Six museum and the Parliament buildings where Apartheid Laws were made and later repealed. Visit the Grand Parade, where Nelson Mandela made his first address to the nation as a free man and walk along Government Avenue while hearing about South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize winners and the struggle for freedom and an end to Apartheid. End the afternoon in Bo-Kaap and learn a bit about the rich, multicultural history as you wander the coloured buildings.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, have breakfast at your hotel then head out to visit the Amy Foundation – a non-profit organisation that offers programs to develop and empower young people from challenged and vulnerable communities. Learn about how their Youth Skills Development program helps young adults prepare for employment. After, you’ll have a free afternoon to explore Cape Town at your own pace. Maybe head to Table Mountain, and either take the Aerial Cableway or choose one of the hiking trails to see epic views across the city and ocean. You could also head to Robben Island – sitting within Table Bay, this island is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the place where Nelson Mandela and many others were imprisoned.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Franschhoek
Location: Franschhoek
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, hit the road for Franschhoek, home to centuries-old vineyards. Arrive at your Feature Stay, Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa – sitting in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley and the Cape Winelands, this hotel is surrounded by mountains and is the perfect place to kick back and relax. After check-in, maybe just chill out within the grounds with a good book, or if you’re feeling adventurous, maybe head out on the Franschhoek tram. This tram conveniently stops at lots of different wineries in the area, so you can soak up the afternoon in the best way – with local drops, sunshine and maybe a bite to eat. Tonight, you’ll be treated to an indulgent six-course dinner with a wine pairing at Sauvage Restaurant (that sits within your Feature Stay). Feast on Bo-Kaap inspired cuisine and paired wine from local, boutique wine farms.
Day 5: Franschhoek
Location: Franschhoek
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Soak up a leisurely morning today before a big afternoon of food and wine! Early this afternoon, you’ll head to a South African cooking class at Spilsbury Kitchen – in the heart of the Cape Winelands, global sensation and local private chef Nicola Spilsbury will take you on a culinary journey of local dishes like babotie (spiced meat baked with an egg-based topping) and vetkoek (fried dough filled with minced curry). Enjoy the fruits of your labour with the group for lunch, then head to a local wine farm for a tasting. Indulge in a few local glasses paired with cheeses, then head back to your hotel bar for some cocktails. Later, head out in 4WDs to the family home of a local foodie. Tour the farm with the hosts, then chill out as the sun goes down, enjoying a dinner spread of locally sourced dishes cooked in the true Bo-Kaap style, prepared by your hosts. The farm overlooks the whole of Franschhoek and is home to abundant wildlife, so soak up the views and get to know the family.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Knysna
Location: Knysna
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today is a bit of a long travel day as you make your way to Knysna – the ‘jewel of the Garden Route,’ this city is known for its oysters, beaches, lagoon and forest. Along the way, stop in at Hermanus for lunch, where in-season whales can be spotted from the shore! You may also stop at Swellendam – this town is home to over 50 provincial heritage sites, most of which showcase Cape Dutch architecture – or Riverdale to stretch your legs. When you arrive in Knysna, head out with your local leader on an orientation walk to get your bearings, then soak up a free afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Knysna
Location: Knysna
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today you’ll head out as a group and explore Knysna. First, visit Garden Route National Park – known for its Indigenous forests, dramatic coastline and the popular Otter Trail. Walk to Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, where you can walk along the suspension bridge for gorgeous river views. You’ll also choose one of the nearby hiking trails here, depending on the group’s abilities and interests. Enjoy a well-earned lunch together after your hike at a local restaurant, then head back to the city. Along the way, stop in Plettenberg Bay and visit Old Nick Village – a collection of shops owned by local creative manufacturers, designers and curators. You’ll also stop in at The Mungo Mill – a GOTS-certified homeware textile company – to learn about the weaving process. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge or head out to dinner (your leader will always have some good restaurant recommendations handy.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today after breakfast, you’ll travel back to Cape Town along the scenic Route 62, making plenty of stops on the way for photos and to stretch your legs, including Oudtshoorn, Montagu, Robertson and Paarl. When you arrive back in Cape Town, maybe head out with your group and local leader for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a beautiful adventure.
Day 9: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
After breakfast today, there are no further activities planned and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Cape Town, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 3 dinners -
Cape Town - Welcome dinner
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Peninsular Tour - Half Day
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Cape Town - City Tour with Local Guide
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Amy Foundation Visit
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Franschhoek - Wine Tasting with Food Pairings
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Franschhoek Wine Tram
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Knysna - Orientation Walk
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Knysna - Tsitsikamma Village
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Knysna Lagoon - Oyster Tasting Boat Cruise
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Knysna - Old Nick Village Community Visit
Transport
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- o Accommodation summary:
- ? Hotel (9 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)
- o The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- o Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- o The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
- o Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite (even if you paid for single room supplement) and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- o If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Important Information
- 1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. [The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.] Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
There are a few long travel days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure!
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions