Giant's Cup

LOW BERG HIKE IN GIANTS CUP AREA

Drakensberg ~ The Dragon Mountains – the most widely known name for this mountain range.
The Zulu’s have the most romantic name of Ukhahlamba – the Barrier of Spears.
The Basotho people know them as the Dilomo tsa Natala – the Cliffs of Natal

B,L,D refers to meals included in the trip cost, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner. Other meals and all drinks are for your own account.

ITINERARY
Day 1: We pick you up in Durban and drive up to Sani Pass Hotel in the Southern Drakensberg where we will overnight. This hotel is one of the oldest & is based at the foot of the Sani Pass. Hotel (D)

Day 2: After breakfast, we gear up and after a short drive start off on our hike for the next 4 days. We will be walking along the popular Giant’s Cup trail in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, sleeping overnight in the huts along the way. Trail Huts (B,L,D)

Day 3 & 4: The next two days are spent walking along the trail enjoying the scenery. The trail meanders in and out of the Berg valleys and maintains approximately 2000 meters above sea level, although this does vary by up to 400m. Overnight in Huts (B,L,D)

Day 5: After breakfast, we pack up and continue along the trail ending at Garden Castle where we will be collected by vehicle and driven back to the hotel for the night. A hot shower, celebratory drink and comfortable bed for the night make the trip worth every step. Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 6: This morning after a late breakfast, we will then drive back to Durban with a stop in Howick to view the falls and to do some curio shopping along the way. (B)

Accommodation on trek will be in trail huts and all food is provided. Backpacks of approximately 10 - 12kg will need to be carried by each participant. The balance of the gear will be carried by your guide. Sleeping bags can be hired. This is an easy to moderate trip designed for families.

Catering
Nutrition is vitally important for this trip, as we need to maintain a high energy level. Wildways will supply all the food. Any special requests need
to be made known prior to the start of the trip.

Fitness
A good level of fitness is required and you need to be able to hike with a pack sustained for 4 days. Your pack weight is likely to be between 10 –
12kgs.

Medical
The guides leading the trip are medically trained to be able to deal with any problems along the way.

Guides
Your guides have been registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, so you can be sure of a great trip.

Cost structure – this is offered as a fully guided option with transport provided or as a self-drive option where you'll need to pick up the guide in Hillcrest on the way to the berg.

The accommodation options at Sani Pass Hotel give the options below.

Please note for the self drive option, we can arrange vehicle hire with collection at the main airports.
The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
The above costs are valid to 31st October 2007.

Sani Experience

THE SANI EXPERIENCE

Drakensberg ~ The Dragon Mountains – the most widely known name for this mountain range.
The Zulu’s have the most romantic name of Ukhahlamba – the Barrier of Spears.
The Basotho people know them as the Dilomo tsa Natala – the Cliffs of Natal

B,L,D refers to meals included in the trip cost, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner. Other meals and all drinks are for your own account.

ITINERARY
Day 1: After an early pick up in Durban we drive up to the Southern Drakensberg. On arriving in Underberg, we meet up with our 4 x 4, for the drive up Sani Pass. On arriving at the top we enjoy a tour of a Lesotho home where we learn about the way these people of the mountains live. After this, we drive back to the Sani Top Chalet and settle into our rooms. The afternoon is left for us to enjoy lunch and have our first drink at the “Highest Pub in Southern Africa”. Chalet (L,D)

Day 2: After breakfast we collect our lunch packs and start our hike to the Hodgson’s Peaks. These peaks are 3244m and 3256m in height and form the sides of the Giant’s Cup. After enjoying lunch on one of the peaks, we head back to the chalet for the night. Chalet (B,L,D)

Day 3: This morning after breakfast we do a short and easy walk to Phinong, to stretch the legs and enjoy the scenery. We return to the chalet for lunch and then are collected by 4 x 4 for our trip back down the pass and from here, we make our way back to Durban, arriving about 8pm. (B,L)

Due to the fact that Sani Pass is a high altitude pass and is gravel, there are 2 – 3 weeks during the year when this pass is impassable due to weather conditions. Adventure World and its affiliates reserve the right to postpone or cancel a trip should the pass be closed to the public, during these times. Please remember your passport will be required for this trip as we will pass through the South African / Lesotho border post.

Fitness
This is an easy graded trip and one the average walker will cope well with.

Medical
The guides leading the trip are medically trained to be able to deal with any problems along the way.

Guides
Your guides have been registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, so you can be sure of a great trip.

Cost structure – this is offered as a fully guided option with transport provided or as a selfdrive option where the clients will need to pick up the guide in Hillcrest on the way to the berg.

The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
Please note that for the self drive options, we can arrange vehicle hire for the clients, with collection at the main airports.
The above costs are per person and are valid to 31st October 2007.

Drakensberg Experience

DRAKENSBERG EXPERIENCE

Drakensberg ~ The Dragon Mountains – the most widely known name for this mountain range.
The Zulu’s have the most romantic name of Ukhahlamba – the Barrier of Spears.
The Basotho people know them as the Dilomo tsa Natala – the Cliffs of Natal

B,L,D refers to meals included in the trip cost, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner. Other meals and all drinks are for your own account.

ITINERARY
Day 1: We pick you up in Durban and drive up to the Southern Drakensberg. On the way we stop in Howick to view the falls and have lunch. There is an opportunity to do some shopping while we are here. From here we drive onto the Sani Pass Hotel where we will be spending the night. A short afternoon walk is available to those wanting to stretch their legs. Hotel (D)

Day 2: After breakfast we are collected from the hotel for the 4 x 4 trip up Sani Pass. This exhilarating drive brings us to the Sani Top Chalet, reputed to be the highest pub in Southern Africa. Here we will enjoy lunch and have the opportunity to do short walks around the area. After lunch we are taken back down the pass and dropped off at the hotel. We overnight at the hotel again. Hotel (B,L,D)

Days 3: This morning after an early breakfast we drive up to the Northern Drakensberg. It is a long day’s drive with stops along the way. We will overnight at the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort, the highest resort in the Drakensberg. The views from here are amazing and there is a chance for some short walks to stretch the legs after the long day. Chalets (B,D)

Day 4: This morning after an early breakfast, we will do an easy hike from the resort down into the Royal Natal Nature Reserve, following the Mahai Falls trail. Once reaching the bottom we will be picked up and transferred to the Mont-aux-Sources hotel. The afternoon is free. Accommodation will be in the hotel. Hotel (B,D)

Day 5: After breakfast we drive onto the Cathedral Peak hotel in the central Drakensberg. After checking into our rooms, lunch can be enjoyed on the terrace. A short walk is planned for the afternoon to stretch the legs. Hotel (B,D)

Day 6: After breakfast we head off down the road to the start of the Rainbow Gorge walk. This walk is the most picturesque short hike in the area and a photographer’s delight. A packed lunch will be enjoyed along the way. We return to the hotel late afternoon and then meet up for dinner in the dinning room. Hotel (B,D)

Day 7: After breakfast we drive onto Giant’s Castle Reserve also in the central Drakensberg, and famous for it’s Bushman paintings. After enjoying lunch in the restaurant, we will do a short hike in the afternoon. Chalets (B,D)

Day 8: After breakfast, a visit to the Main Caves to view the Bushman history and paintings will be undertaken. Lunch is then enjoyed before returning to Durban. (B)

This is an easy graded trip and one the average walker will cope well with. Due to the fact that Sani Pass is a high altitude pass and is gravel, there are 2 – 3 weeks during the year when this pass is impassable due to weather conditions. Adventure World and its affiliates reserve the right to postpone or cancel a trip should the pass be closed to the public, during these times. Please remember your passport will be required for this
trip as we will pass through the South African / Lesotho border post.

Transport
Transport will be provided.

Fitness
A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Medical
The guides leading the trip are medically trained to be able to deal with any problems along the way.

Guides
Your guides have been registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, so you can be sure of a great trip.

Cost structure – due to the need for a vehicle transfer this trip is a fully guided trip with transport provided.

The accommodation options at Sani Pass Hotel, Mont-aux-Sources Hotel and Cathedral Peak Hotel give the options below. Witsieshoek Resort and Giant’s Castle Resort only have one option for accommodation.

The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
The above costs are per person and are valid to 31st October 2007.

Drakensberg Highlights

DRAKENSBERG HIGHLIGHTS

Drakensberg ~ The Dragon Mountains – the most widely known name for this mountain range.
The Zulu’s have the most romantic name of Ukhahlamba – the Barrier of Spears.
The Basotho people know them as the Dilomo tsa Natala – the Cliffs of Natal.

This itinerary is flexible and should be seen as a guide only. As with all travel in mountain areas, weather and local conditions can lead to changes in our daily plans. B,L,D refers to meals included in the trip cost, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner. Other meals and all drinks are for your own expense.

ITINERARY
Day 1: We pick you up in Durban, and drive up to the Northern Drakensberg. The second day will give you an opportunity to experience the plateau of the high Drakensberg. We will be staying at the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort, in Qwa Qwa, to acclimatise. Accommodation will be in the resort. Chalets (D)

Day 2: This is our first exciting encounter with the Drakensberg where the Tugela river drops sheer off the escarpment, the world's second highest waterfall. We follow the Sentinel Trail underneath immense cliffs towards the summit plateau of the Amphitheatre, the final section gained with the help of a 100ft steel ladder pitch (very solid) - exciting though! Once reaching the plateau we head off to Mont-aux-Sources – the source of four
main rivers in South Africa. A 3km walk from here will take us to the Tugela falls, where the river tumbles dramatically into the Tugela gorge & where we have lunch. We then make our way back down to the car park and onto the resort for the night. Chalets (B,L,D)

Day 3: This morning after an early breakfast we do an easy walk from the resort down into the Royal Natal Nature Reserve where we will be picked up by vehicle and then drive on to the central Drakensberg and the Cathedral Peak Hotel. After enjoying lunch on the terrace, we have the option to do the Rainbow Gorge walk. This short walk is the most picturesque short hike in the area and a photographer’s delight. Coloured fungi and lichens, mosses and ferns in the forest, and the many pools, rapids and falls along the Ndumeni river, will keep you enthralled for hours. In the gorge itself, the path follows the river where filtered light throws spectra of colour on the soft veils of spray. Hotel (B,D)

Day 4: This morning after an early breakfast, we will hike to the top of Cathedral Peak (3004m). It is a long day with high walking up a series of open ridges. The final section (200m) is exposed and involves some moderate scrambling and is not for the fainthearted. There is also a small ladder pitch before reaching the summit. It is well worth the effort, but you must make your own decision and may choose to remain at the Col, which is a fine vantage point in its own right. Cathedral Peak is one of the major freestanding Drakensberg peaks and is visible from a great distance. A big day, and a definite highlight of the trip. (9 – 11 hours). Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 5: This morning we have a relaxing morning at the hotel enjoying the magnificent views. After tea we drive around to the Champagne Valley and check-in at the Champagne Castle Hotel before enjoying lunch in the dining room. The rest of the afternoon can be spent around the pool at the Hotel or enjoying a short walk to view some bushman paintings on the property. (B,L,D)

Day 6 & 7: This morning after an early breakfast, we will hike to the Keith Bush camp. This is a 15km walk through to a secluded valley and places us at a position that will make the hike to the top of Champagne Castle more attainable. We will overnight out in geodesic dome tents. Tents (B,L,D) After an early breakfast we leave to hike to the top of Champagne Castle (3246m). Today’s walk will include Greys Pass, which is a steep 2.5km hike and then we reach the plateau and head off to the top of the peak. Lunch will be enjoyed with the magnificent view spreading out below us. After lunch we head off the escarpment and back to Keith Bush camp for the night. Tents (B,L,D)

Day 8: This morning after breakfast we break camp, and then head off to conquer either Sterkhorn (2973m) or Gatberg (2408m) on our way back down to the hotel. After a good couple of days out in the Drakensberg wilderness a hot shower, good food and celebratory drink are most welcome. Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 9: This morning after breakfast, we drive you back to Durban.

Accommodation on overnight hike will be in Geodesic dome tents and all food is provided. Backpacks of approximately 8kg will need to be carried by each participant. Porters will carry the bulk of your gear, but you will be required to carry your own clothes, snacks and some of the food. Packs, sleeping bags and sleeping pads can be hired. You will require a backpack of a minimum 65L size. This is a strenuous trip and a good level of fitness is required.

Transport
Transport will be provided.

Fitness
A good level of fitness is required and you need to be able to hike with a backpack sustained for 3 days. Your backpack weight is likely to be about 8kgs and will need to be at least 65L. Porters will carry the bulk of your equipment.

Medical
The guides leading the trip are medically trained to be able to deal with any problems along the way.

Guides
Your guides have been registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, so you can be sure of a great trip.

Cost structure – due to the need for a vehicle transfer this trip is a fully guided trip with transport provided.
The accommodation options at Cathedral Peak Hotel and Champagne Castle Hotel give the options below. Witsieshoek Resort only has one option for accommodation.

The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
The above costs are quoted in South African Rands and are per person and are valid to 31st October 2007.

High Berg Traverse Sentinel to Cathedral Peak

HIGH BERG TRAVERSE SENTINEL TO CATHEDRAL PEAK

Drakensberg ~ The Dragon Mountains – the most widely known name for this mountain range.
The Zulu’s have the most romantic name of Ukhahlamba – the Barrier of Spears.
The Basotho people know them as the Dilomo tsa Natala – the Cliffs of Natal.

This itinerary is flexible and should be seen as a guide only. As with all travel in mountain areas, weather and local conditions can lead to changes in our daily plans. B,L,D refers to meals included in the trip cost, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner. Other meals and all drinks are for your own expense.

ITINERARY
Day 1: We pick you up in Durban and drive onto the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort, in Qwa Qwa, where we overnight to acclimatise. Accommodation will be in the resort. Chalets (D)

Day 2: This is our first exciting encounter with the northern Drakensberg where the Tugela river drops sheer off the escarpment, reputed to be the world's second highest waterfall. We follow the Sentinel Trail underneath immense cliffs towards the summit plateau of the Amphitheatre, the final section gained with the help of a 100ft steel ladder pitch (very solid) - exciting though! We have lunch where the river tumbles dramatically into the Tugela gorge. We continue southwards along the escarpment and will overnight in tents. Tents (B,L,D)

Days 3 - 5: The next 3 days we will walk approximately 12 – 16 km per day, covering a total of approximately 60 km. Nights will be spent in tents unless a cave is near the overnight stop, but this is pre-planned before the trip. The route is undulating with sections of steep terrain but at no time will actual rock climbing be needed. This is a purely walking trip. Tents/ Caves (B,L,D)

Day 6: After an early breakfast, we head down the pass back to Cathedral Peak Hotel. We arrive here late afternoon and settle in to our rooms for a well-deserved shower and then meet up for a celebratory drink and dinner. Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 7: The morning can be spent enjoying the facilities the hotel has to offer, and then after tea we drive back to Durban. (B)

Catering
Nutrition is vitally important for this trip, as we need to maintain a high energy level. Wildways can either supply all the food or we can advise you on the nutrition requirements. As there will be no re supply the food will weight approximately six kilograms per person. Special diets can be catered for.

Transport
Transport will be provided.

Fitness
A reasonable level of fitness is required and you need to be able to hike with a pack sustained for 5 days. Your pack weight is likely to be between 10 - 12kgs. The bulk of your weight will be carried by porters. Should you not require porters you pack weight will be about 20kgs per person.

Medical
The guides leading the trip are medically trained to be able to deal with any problems along the way.

Guides
Your guides have been registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, so you can be sure of a great trip.

Cost structure – due to the need for a vehicle transfer this trip is a fully guided trip with transport provided.

The accommodation options at Cathedral Peak Hotel gives the options below. Witsieshoek Resort only has one option for accommodation. For safety reasons the minimum group size is 4 clients. For 4 – 6 clients, one Vito kombi will be used with a trailer and for 8 clients two vehicles will be used which means an additional driver.

The above costs include two porters per client for the traverse. If the client’s would like to do the trip without porters the costs can be reworked for them. Please contact us in this regard. Please note however that your backpacks will be about 20kgs per person without porters.
The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
The above costs are per person and are valid to 31st October 2007.

Amphitheatre & Cathedral Peak

AMPHITHEATRE & CATHEDRAL PEAK

Drakensberg ~ The Dragon Mountains – the most widely known name for this mountain range.
The Zulu’s have the most romantic name of Ukhahlamba – the Barrier of Spears.
The Basotho people know them as the Dilomo tsa Natala – the Cliffs of Natal.

This itinerary is flexible and should be seen as a guide only. As with all travel in mountain areas, weather and local conditions can lead to changes in our daily plans. B,L,D refers to meals included in the trip cost, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner. Other meals and all drinks are for your own expense.

ITINERARY
Day 1: We pick you up in Durban mid morning, and drive up to the Northern Drakensberg. The second day will give you an opportunity to experience the plateau of the high Drakensberg. We will be staying at the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort, in Qwa Qwa, to acclimatise. Accommodation will be in the resort. Chalets (D)

Day 2: This is our first exciting encounter with the Drakensberg where the Tugela River drops sheer off the escarpment, reputed to be the world's second highest waterfall. We follow the Sentinel Trail underneath immense cliffs towards the summit plateau of the Amphitheatre, the final section gained with the help of a 100ft steel ladder pitch (very solid) - exciting though! We have lunch where the river tumbles dramatically into the Tugela gorge. We then make our way back down to the car park and onto the resort for the night. Chalets (B,L,D)

Days 3: This morning after an early breakfast we do an easy walk from the resort down into the Royal Natal Nature Reserve where we will be picked up by vehicle and then drive on to the central Drakensberg and the Cathedral Peak Hotel. After enjoying lunch on the terrace, we have the option to do the Rainbow Gorge walk. This short walk is the most picturesque short hike in the area and a photographer’s delight. Coloured fungi and lichens, mosses and ferns in the forest, and the many pools, rapids and falls along the Ndumeni river, will keep you enthralled for hours. In the gorge itself, the path follows the river where filtered light throws spectra of colour on the soft veils of spray. Hotel (B,D)

Day 4: This morning after an early breakfast, we will hike to the top of Cathedral Peak (3004m). It is a long day with high walking up a series of open ridges. The final section (200m) is exposed and involves some moderate scrambling and is not for the fainthearted. There is also a small ladder pitch before reaching the summit. It is well worth the effort, but you must make your own decision and may choose to remain at the Col, which is a fine vantage point in its own right. Cathedral Peak is one of the major freestanding Drakensberg peaks and is visible from a great distance. A big day, and a definite highlight of the trip. (9 – 11 hours). Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 5: The morning can be spent enjoying the facilities the hotel has to offer, and then after tea we drive back to Durban. (B)

Transport
Transport will be provided.

Fitness
A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Medical
The guides leading the trip are medically trained to be able to deal with any problems along the way.

Guides
Your guides have been registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, so you can be sure of a great trip.

Cost structure – due to the need for a vehicle transfer this trip is a fully guided trip with transport provided.
The accommodation options at Cathedral Peak Hotel give the options below. Witsieshoek Resort only has one option for accommodation.

The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
The above costs are per person and are valid to 31st October 2007.