Description
This tour will start at the Toeka farm stall near Wellington and end at the Uplands farm.
The routes we have chosen are generally not difficult, but we can’t take off-road caravans or trailers on this tour. (Please note that no pets are allowed.)
We can take 4×4 as well as 4×2 vehicles with diff-lock.
Important details/dates:
- Distance: 150 km.
- Drivers’ Briefing, VHF Radio fitment: 08h30 on Saturday, 15th October, 2022 near Wellington.
- Start: – 09h30: Saturday, 15th October, 2022
- Closing Function: Uplands Farm, Wellington., 14h00 Sunday, 16th October, 2022
- End of Tour/Departure: 14h00 – Sunday, 16th October, 2022
All vehicles will be supplied with FM marine-quality two-way radios so we can all communicate. (This is included in the tour price.)
4×4 Tour Itinerary
Saturday 15th October: The group meets up at the Toeka Farm Stall outside Wellington between 08h00 and 08h30 where we fit your two way radio and magnetic aerial, deflate tyres for gravel travel and have our meet & greet session where the finer details of the tour will be explained, indemnity forms signed, personal folders distributed, convoy driving order sheets, name tags and maps as well as a Q&A session.
- 09h00 – Depart to The Huguenot Tunnel holding point to meet the Tolcon representative, followed by a tour through the service tunnel where various interesting aspects of the tunnel build and future use will be explained via the radios. It might be dark in the service tunnel, so prepare yourself. This should take about 1 hour.
- 10h00 – We will drive up the old Du Toitskloof Pass to the summit, where we will turn off to drive the Seven Sisters Pass (the highlight of the day). This twisty, narrow road traverses private property as well as the Limietberg Nature Reserve. It is not open to the public and winds up the mountains to the peaks above Wellington known as the Seven Sisters. The views are magnificent from the top, so bring your cameras and binoculars (as well as warm clothing)
- 12h00 – we drive down the Du Toitskloof Valley via some forestry tracks to enjoy a light lunch at the Hawequas farm. Swimming in the dam is allowed. The lunch is included in the tour price. Please bring your own liquid refreshments.
- 14h00 – After lunch we will drive the old Du Toitskloof Pass all the way through to Rawsonville, where we will divert to the Slanghoek Valley and cross the Breede River via the low level causeway. From there we will drive the newly refurbished Bain’s Kloof Pass from north to south taking in all the highlights.
- 17h00 – We arrive at our overnight venue – Diemersfontein Wine Estate, to enjoy wine tasting, a fabulous dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Sunday 16th October: After breakfast, we drive back up Bain’s Kloof Pass to Eerste Toll (where Andrew Geddes Bain set up his HQ during the construction of the pass in 1849). We take a two spoor track and head east across the Limietberg Mountains towards the headwaters of the Witte River. There are a few interesting snippets of history here about manganese mining, changing the course of a river, a savage murder and other snippets which will bring the raw beauty of the area (still relatively untouched) into sharp focus. The entire route falls within the Limietberg Nature Reserve.
We return the same way and after descending the pass, we head off to the 200 year old Uplands Farm where the age old copper stills still reproduce some of the finest grappa and gin in the world. This farm is one of the Boland’s best kept secrets. (Tastings are included in the tour price). A light lunch will be enjoyed (also included) and you get to make friends with the farm’s Great Dane.
We will end the tour at the farm at approximately 14h00 and wish you a safe journey home after collecting the 2 way radios.
Tour price (adults):
1 vehicle / 1 person R4,990
1 vehicle / 2 persons R5,990
1 vehicle / 3 persons R6,490
1 vehicle / 4 persons R6,995
What is included in the price:
The price of the tour includes guiding, pamphlets, maps, name tags, radio hire, standard recovery costs, administration and documentation, but excludes accommodation & food.
Recovery costs do not include mechanical breakdown, low-bed recovery, but does include towing out of a difficult situation or kinetic recoveries, and assistance with punctures.
MPSA arranges every last detail. We send you a packing list of what you need well before the tour. All you have to do is arrive with your ‘padkos’ and snacks and enjoy the tour.
Accommodation & food:
Accommodation plus all meals & wine tasting will be invoiced out separately at R1,995 per person.
Note ~ no pets allowed.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel more than 60 days ahead of the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 80% refund or 100% credit voucher
If you cancel between 60 and 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 70% refund or 90% credit voucher
If you cancel less than 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 60% refund or 80% credit voucher
Accommodation & meal refunds:
Invoices are generally sent out between 4 and 6 weeks ahead of the tour start date.
* If you have already received your invoice, you are liable for it, subject to us interacting with the various venues to get you a refund. We pay the venues up front for your accommodation. Most of the establishments are reasonable and offer a full refund. Whatever we can negotiate will be credited to you in full.
Please get in touch with us directly with any questions you may have by email: info@mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za
