10 Day Klein Karoo Ultra Walk (301km)

Our eco ultra-walk takes us from the beautiful Klein Karoo village of Prince Albert across the historical Swartberg pass and on the back-roads of Route 62 to Montagu.

The Klein Karoo is a long valley bordered by the Swartberg and the Langeberg Mountains in the Western Cape. It forms the southern sibling of the larger Karoo- the Great or Groot Karoo which occupies the northern part thereof.

This is the land of succulents, fragrant fruit orchards in blossom and quilt-patched vineyards. Infinite landscapes of towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and a unique biome dominated by the aloe and the dwarf baobab tree (Botterboom) with its yellow peeling bark and midsummer red tubular flowers. Majestic mountains lend shades of blue to the distant horizon where spring erupts overnight in this semi-arid climate with its winter rainfall.

Highlights

Spending the afternoon with Prof Sue Milton-Dean, a well-known botanist
The hidden treasures of the Karoo veldt
A Ghost Walk through the streets of Prince Albert with Ailsa
Walking breath-taking Swartberg Pass
The Red Hills, which were formed 60 million years ago
Rietfontein Ostrich palace
Groenfontein farm-road to Calitzdorp
Sample port and wines at one of the Cellars in the Port Capital of the Klein Karoo
Walking through the magnificent Seweweekspoort
Blooming apricot, peach and pear orchards
Flowering vygies, blue skies and mountains all around you

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Return transport by Mercedes Sprinter bus from George Airport

DEPARTURE TIME

INCLUDED

En-suite Sharing Accommodation in Chalets and Farmhouses	Two meals per day with a light picnic lunch – as per programme
refreshments while walking, Permits and entry fees	Support team and vehicles during the walk.

NOT INCLUDED

Restaurant meals, Alcoholic drinks

personal items, and medical insurance, Gratuities

ITINERARY 301 KM KLEIN KAROO ULTRA WALK

Day 1

(Traveling Day)

Wednesday 26 September 2018

Pick up at CPT International Airport at 08:30 and leave via Worcester and Matjiesfontein to Prince Albert. A late breakfast at Die Veldskoen Farmstall (own account) Arrives in Prince Albert in time for cake and coffee, before our Walk with a Karoo ecologist/botanist, Dr Sue Milton-Dean, specializing in birds and vegetation. Transfer to accommodation

Dinner: The Gallery Restaurant

Overnight: Guest House Prince Albert (hulle sê dit spook daar) (B&B)

Day 2

(Walking Day 1 -30km)

We leave early for our challenging Swartberg Pass walk. Stop at the

Ou Tol at The Top of the mountain and then drive the downhill part of the breathtaking Swartberg Pass to start walking at the bottom of the pass towards Kruisrivier Farms.

Accommodation & Dinner: Kruis Rivier Guest Farm (DB&B)

Day 3

(Walking Day 2 -30km)

Walk after breakfast towards the Red Stone Hills for lunch at Rietfontein Ostrich Palace. Meet Kobus and Elmari Potgieter of Rietfontein, the oldest Ostrich Farm in South Africa. Kobus will entertain you with stories of Ostriches and the feather-boom. Enjoy the Klein Karoo landscapes with the Swartberg Mountains as a back-drop.

Accommodation & Dinner: Kruis Rivier Guest Farm (DB&B)

Overnight: Rietfontein Ostrich Palace Guest Farm Accommodation (DB&B)

Day 4

(Walking Day 3 -30km)

After breakfast walk from Swartberg Private Nature Reserve via Kruisfontein Art Gallery. Here we will meet Roger Young and Phyllis Midlam at Kruis River Art Gallery for Coffee. Roger is a well-known photographer and carpenter. Phyllis is a famous ballet dancer and costumier. She has worked on War Horse and gladly shares her stories with our groups. Walk via Groenkloof to Calitzdorp. We follow the river, and to describe this green fertile valley is difficult………..soft greens, beautiful farming landscapes, workers’ houses with colourful washing, ‘spekboom’ and Aloes in flower! This is a day to savour, walk alone and find peace. Arriving in Calitzdorp, the ‘Port Hoofstad’ of the Klein Karoo, we visit Boplaas Cellar for a port and wine tasting.

Overnignt & Dinner at Calitzdorp Cottages (DB&B)

)

Day5

(Walking Day 4 -31km)

We leave before breakfast and drive to Seweweeks Poort. Here we will start walking for breakfast at a picnic spot. Walking through this breathtaking Poort is an enriching experience. A walk past the ‘To Hell And Gone’ sign to the viewpoint, overlooking the Prince Albert Mountains. Drive via Ladismith to overnight on a wine farm.

Overnight and Dinner: Oaksrest Guest Farm (DB&B)

Day 6

(Walking Day 5 -30km)

Transfer to Zoar and start walking the scenic route towards Ladismith.

Blooming orchards and flowering succulents and daisies, if the weather and season favour us.

Visit the Information Centre of Ladismith, hosted in the old church with fragrant lavender gardens.

Overnight and Dinner: Oaksrest Guest Farm (DB&B)

Day 7

(Walking Day 6 -30km)

From Oaksrest walk a circular route, through Klein Karoo Vineyards and Game Farms with its beautiful scenery of Aloes, and ‘Klipkoppies’. Nowhere to go and no one waiting – we will enjoy a day of solitude – just walking.

Overnight and Dinner: Oaksrest Guest Farm (DB&B)

Day 8

(Walking Day 7 -30km)

From Oaksrest we walk on back roads through beautiful Klein Karoo landscapes and orchards in bloom towards Bonnievale. End your day at Diesel&Cream, a bustling coffee shop with a difference! We drive to Montagu where we sleep on a wine farm

Overnight & Dinner: Montagu Chalets (DB&B)

Day 9

(Walking Day 8 -30km)

Walk from Baden a circle route up Stylhoogte, where the going gets tough and the tough gets going, till we get to a rest stop under a huge oak tree, surrounded by pear orchards.

Overnight & Dinner: Montagu Chalets (DB&B)

Day 10

(Walking Day 9 -30km)

Walk a circular route before breakfast. Look out for Kudus and other game. Transfer to Meulplaas and walk the beautiful Valley of Meulplaas. Cross the R62 and walk along the ‘old wagon road’ towards Montagu. We stop for coffee at De Oude Kombuis Farmstall. Visit Montagu dried fruit and the Wine Boutique for shopping.

Overnight: Montagu Chalets(DB&B)

Day 11

(Walking Day 10 -30km)

From Pietersfontein Dam, via Middelvoetpad and Groenland and Waterkloof to end your 301km Walk at Mooi Erfenis. Meet Oom Kotie, a farmer with a passion for medicinal plants. Enjoy his authentic Klein Karoo hospitality and stories of bygone times

Dinner at a restaurant (own account).

Overnight: Montagu Chalets (B)

Day 12

(Traveling day)

Leave before breakfast for Cape Town, via Robertson and Worcester. We arrive at Cape Town International Airport by 10:00

*Route may change due to weather and road conditions

Eco Ultra Pilgrimage Walks

The 301km Ultra Walks were designed for the serious walker who wants a pilgrimage, but also to experience the area walked through.

We explore all the facets of nature in the different areas of Southern Africa and discover the history, the local people and their cultures. Participants are amazed by the sense of achievement, self-worth and a new purpose for life, which result from completing these Eco Ultra Walks.

The distance per day is walked in 8 – 10km stretches, with safari-style rest breaks in the veldt, or an interesting cultural or historical stop along the way.
Walking is done on gravel roads without a backpack – no hiking trails.
Accommodation is mostly on guest farms, where you stay in chalets.
Three meals a day, with a support vehicle and support team, are provided.
After booking your pilgrimage walk you will receive Newsletters with recommendations on training, walking equipment, packing checklists and general information i.e. travelling options.
A support vehicle and team are there to assist you throughout the day.

These adventure walks are South Africa’s own pilgrimages.
For many years to come, the ‘301’ will stay with you. To go back to your ‘normal’ life will be difficult, with more challenges than you can imagine.

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