HIKING - AMPHITHEATRE
& CATHEDRAL PEAK
adventure
for the brave and not so brave...
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info on adventure...
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.
|
Standard |
Deluxe |
Executive |
2
pax |
R
9 320 |
R
9 485 |
R
9 720 |
4
pax |
R 6 500 |
R 6 680 |
R 6 850 |
6
pax |
R
5 140 |
R
5 300 |
R
5 490 |
The Single Supplement is 50% on to the above costs.
The above costs are per person and are valid to 31st October 2007.
