Hoerikwaggo Trail
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Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail is a luxurious white table cloth that covers major attractions in Cape Town. It is designed to suit the needs of the travellers who have less time to spend in the city but who intend to explore the city in style and have a fantastic story to tell. The trail is hosted by Table Mountain National Park – a world heritage site and an international icon.
The hike is professionally guided, portered and fully catered in delectable, traditional Cape Malay cuisine and South African style. Included in the hike are the landmarks like Robben Island and District Six Museums, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Cape Malay Quarter, the Greenmarket Square, Company Gardens, the Cable Car ride and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.
Taking you a few years back when the Table Bay was discovered by the early explorers is a quick cruise around the Waterfront giving you a magnificent view of the Mountain. The hike then proceeds to Bo Kaap, the oldest residential area in Cape Town which is situated on the gradient of Signal Hill, and to a tea stop served with scrumptious koeksisters prepared the Malay way.
Comparing the past and the present in certain parts of the city, one would reckon that nothing has changed much except for the fact that Greenmarket Square is no longer an open market for slave sales and fresh produce, but a thriving flea market for all sorts of African artifacts and souvenirs. A similar set-up welcomes you at the Flower Market. A quick commentary about the Grand Parade before traversing over to the District Six museum which houses displays and historical replicas from our colourful past.
A scrumptious lunch is served at a restaurant contiguous to the Company Gardens, followed by a walk through the Gardens and a stop at the reservoirs then ascend the road the Malay slave women frequented while collecting and dropping off their masters clothing. This road takes the hiker to the lower slopes of Table Mountain where the first night is spent at Platteklip Wash House in the state of the accommodation that has been renovated to fit this purpose.
The interior decoration of the hut is vibrant, yet comforting. Even in the retreat below the mountain you can still feel the closeness of the city though it is not flaunted. It is a combination of a variety of cultures that exist within the city and the tranquility of the environment. Like a hotel, dinner is served by a chef with a starched white coat and a white cap.
All our Hoerikwaggo guides are from previously disadvantaged communities and have never been employed before. They went through an extensive selection process to make sure that only the best will guide our luxury trails. Table Mountain National Park is thrilled with the outcomes of the training as they now possess – theatre skills, a National Certificate in Tourism, Walking Leader and First Aid Level 1 & 2 certificates which put them in good stead for job they are so passionate about.
The second day meanders up the lower Cable way station through the Afromontane forest, lush fynbos and parting with the city completely as the Cable car goes up (weather permitting) – the only link are spectacular views on top of the Mountain. Bird enthusiasts would enjoy the walk towards the second overnight stop because the walk is studded with pristine fynbos and birds like the Cape Sugar bird, Cape Siskin and the Orange Sunbird thrive on it. Lunch is served at Maclear's Beacon. The floristic splendor accompanies the hiker until the Overseer's Hut at the back Table. The interior of the hut has a different touch of the décor; it revels on the unspoiled natural environment surrounding the hut.
After dinner the guides give interesting performances mimicking the animal behaviour in wild.
The third day starts with a walk to the Waterworks museum which is encircled by dams, the Mountain Club hut and the People's trail hut (TMNP's initiative to attract youth to visit the mountain more often) at Kasteelspoort with breathtaking bird's eye views of Camps Bay. Before attempting the wobbly descend on Nursery Ravine hikers get their energy boost from the lunch served at hut. This is the last leg of the trail that takes hikers to Kirstenbosch where they will reconnect with their luggage and say goodbye to their hosts – our Hoerikwaggo guides
For tariffs and bookings visit our website: www.hoerikwaggotrails.co.za, alternatively call Patricia Metsing at 021 465 8515
Essential things to carry while doing the trail:
Your hiking boots
Thick Socks
Warm Clothing
A rain Coat (in case the weather changes on top)
Sufficient water (in day bag)
A hat
Sunscreen
Your luggage will be ferried to every hut and to Kirstenbosch on the last day
March 2006
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