DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Travel towards the mountains of the Western Cape, with their spectacular peaks, fertile valleys, farms and vineyards, made accessible by means of a stunningly beautiful and scenic route, known as the "Four Passes". Cross the Hottentots Holland Mountains via Sir Lowry's Pass. The view from the summit embraces the whole of False Bay, and the Cape Peninsula, from Table Mountain to the lighthouse at the tip of the Cape of the Good Hope. Drive through Grabouw and Elgin, commercial centres for fruit and timber production, and make your way towards the Viljoen's Pass, named after Sir Antonie Viljoen, one of the leaders of farming and political life in the Elgin fruit producing area.

The tour continues over the third of the four passes, the Franschhoek Pass. The history of this pass goes back to before the arrival of the first European settlers, who discovered that migrating wild animals had found the most practical way over the mountain. For more than a hundred years, the settlers used what they called the "Olifantspad" (Elephant Path) to cross the mountain. Visit the Huguenot Monument, which commemorates the French Huguenot’s arrival in the Cape and their freedom from Calvinist rule. You will enjoy a lunch in the beautiful town of Franschhoek.

Travelling over the last of the four passes, the Helshoogte or ("precipitous heights"), you arrive in Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. Enjoy a leisurely walk through this beautiful university town, with its oak tree-lined streets. Continue to one of South Africa’s leading wine estate situated outside Stellenbosch. You will enjoy tasting some outstanding local wines in beautiful surroundings. Return to Cape Town enriched by the beauty of the Cape.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Travel towards the mountains of the Western Cape, with their spectacular peaks, fertile valleys, farms and vineyards, made accessible by means of a stunningly beautiful and scenic route, known as the "Four Passes". Stop for photos at Sir Lowry’s, Viljoen and Franschhoek Passes, then continue to the town of Franschhoek for a lovely lunch and stroll around the town. Back on the road, drive over Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch for a leisurely walk through this beautiful university town. Stop for a tasting at a local wine estate, then return to Cape Town.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 – 01:00 Depart the quayside and drive to Somerset West
01:00 – 01:30 Driver over Sir Lowry’s Pass with photo stop
01:30 – 02:30 Drive via Viljoen and Franschhoek Passes with photo stop
02:30 – 03:00 Arrive in Franschhoek and visit the Huguenot Monument
03:00 – 03:30 Stroll around the town of Franschhoek
03:30 – 05:00 Enjoy lunch in Franschhoek
05:00 – 05:45 Depart lunch venue for drive over Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch
05:45 – 06:45 Arrive in Stellenbosch for a guided walk
06:45 – 07:00 Depart for wine estate
07:00 – 07:30 Arrive at a wine estate for an informal wine tasting
07:30 – 08:30 Board coach and drive to ship

Approximate duration: 8½ hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- This tour will be divided among a number of different wine estates if necessary and depending on the number of guests on the coaches
- Comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat are strongly advisable
- This tour is not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties as a fair amount of walking is involved. However, passengers in wheelchairs can manage this tour with an assistant

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