Pink Hill Karoo Cycling Holiday

Details & Itinerary

The Pink Hill Karoo Cycling Holiday is exactly what it says! You will stay in the comfort of a not so typical 1860 Karoo farm house and wake up to a hearty breakfast around the Long Table. Cycling starts around 08h00 (weather permitting and depending on the season) and will take you between 3 –and 5 hours (for those who want to do more, the Karoo roads are there to explore). On arrival back on the farm, a buffet style lunch will be ready for you to enjoy immediately or after a shower or a swim. Each bedroom has its own outdoor area, so the afternoons is for you to decide how to spend – catching 40 winks, listen to the bird song next to the pool, read a book or catch up on some chatting with your friends. Dinner is enjoyed around the fire – but not before you sat down with a drink, taking in the most beautiful sunsets so typical of the Karoo.

The farm Nagtegaalsfontein, 13km west of Colesberg, serves as “base camp” for this cycling holiday. Three circular routes will be done from here, on the district road as well as on the farms Esperanza, Sewefontein and Nagtegaalsfontein. The route is moderate on jeep track, dirt roads, district roads and some single track.

Colesberg lies in the Northern Cape, and is centrally located on the N1 between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. It is mainly a sheep farming area spread over half-a-million hectares, breeding many of the country’s top Merino’s. On Nagtegaalsfontein you will also be able to see Gemsbok, Springbok, Blou Wildebeest and Sable – not to forget warthogs and meerkats! Birdlife is ample.

Daily Routine
Breakfast is served at 08h00, and cycling commences at 09h00 (we will take the different seasons and weather on the day into account when making a final decision). Water will be available en-route, and lunch will be served back at the next farm. We are normally done with cycling around 13h00, and the afternoon is spent relaxing, reading, hiking, swimming, or playing games. Please bring your own power/emergency snacks.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival day. Make your way to Nagtegaalsfontein to get there before dark. A welcome dinner will be served where you will meet your fellow cyclists and crew.

Day 2:
30km circular route through Esperanza. We start off on the Phillipstown – Colesberg Road, before we turn off onto Esperanza. The route goes around a Karoo Mountain giving us a few climbs. A short (and maybe scary) downhill brings some excitement, also making this is the most challenging day.

Day 3:
32km through Sewefontein. The farm got its name from the 7 fountains, and expect to cycle through a few wet patches! Although we stay in one biome, it is amazing to see how the landscape changes from just grassland, to thornbushes, wetland and thorn trees.

Day 4:
We cycle to Colesburg for an early morning breakfast, before we turn back to Nagtegaalsfontein where the vast grasslands of the Karoo and a few koppies will once again amaze you. We finish around the Pink Hill Karoo Guest House before we return to Nagtegaalsfontein.

Day 5: Depart after breakfast

Accommodation and Meals
All meals are catered for, starting with supper on day 1, and ending with breakfast on the last day. You are welcome to bring your own soft and alcoholic drinks which we will keep cold. There will be ample ice.

Alternative accommodation before or after the event is possible.

Guiding and Support
Eric will be cycling with you and a support vehicle with water and coke, fruit and homemade biscuits will be within reach of the group the entire time.
Rates and Pax

The rate for 4 nights/3 days, 3 meals a day with support vehicle and luggage transfer, Rates to be confirmed (minimum 8 pax).

Minimum group size: 8 pax. We can take individual bookings and build a group.