8 DAYS – DRAKENSBERG HIKE – SENTINEL TO CATHEDRAL PEAK

Day 1

Arrive Durban

Welcome to South Africa! - Welcome to Durban

The bustling city is the hub of the province’s business and industry and pulses with all the
energy of a major port city.
Your Driver/Guide will pick you at the Airport international/ Domestic arrival and will take you to the lodge, you afternoon would be free to enjoy and settle after a long flight.
pick up time: depending on your arrival.

Day 2

Sentinel Peak to Cathedral Peak Traverse

This route wasn’t previously rated by the National Geographic as one of the world’s top 10 best hikes. That is right, it is that good! This route is also known as the Mini Traverse because it features the first five days of the ultimate Drakensberg hike, the Grand Traverse. It features many of the Drakensberg’s most well-known landmarks, like the Amphitheatre, Tugela Waterfall and Madonna and Her Worshippers. This route is hands down a Drakensberg ultra classic.

Day 3

Tugela Waterfall to Madonna and Her Worshippers

Starting the day the route takes a turn inland. Here you get a real feel for the ruggedness of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The end of the day’s hike is undoubtedly the highlight. The descent from the Mbundini Abbey provides great vistas of the Mnweni area and beyond. Madonna and Her Worshippers, where the day’s campsite is, are unique rock spires carved out by years of weathering. At sunrise beautiful views and colours can be captured on camera in this spot.

Day 4

Madonna and Her Worshippers to the source of the Orange River

Another big and beautiful day. Shortly after departure ascending up the Hanging Valleys you will be greeted by arguably the most beautiful view of the Mnweni Cutback.
Shortly after follows a long contour path all the way to the source of Orange River. The latter part of this trail is particularly good. It follows a path along the escarpment edge you would almost think only the Basotho know, it is kind of hidden.
Peaks of the area are legendary, like the Inner and Outer Mnweni Pinnacles and Needles and of course Mponjwane, or the Rockeries Tower.
If you have that little bit left in the tank you might as well push for the Mponjwane Cave. The view from this spot is on another level, especially at sunrise.

Day 5

Orange River Source to Twins Cave

Straight away the views keep coming. Moving past the Rockeries you get some perspective of the smallness and isolation of your position. Cape Vulture colonies nesting on the cliffs is a definite highlight. As soon as you move past the bulk of the Saddle you are nearing Cathedral Peak territory. Before descending the last bit to Twins Cave have a look at what you are up against on day 4. Spend the night in the ever popular Twins Cave, a Berg hotel.

Day 6

Twins Cave to Cathedral Peak Hotel

The Bell Traverse on its own is nothing less than world-class. This is the last place where you thought you would have walked. The views are unbeatable. It is a high contour path
meandering around huge features like Mitre, Chessman, the Horns, the Bell, and of course
Cathedral Peak itself. If the Bell Traverse is not for you the descent down the Mlambonja Pass is short, a lot more direct and easier.

Day 7

Half Day City Tour

We proceed along the Golden Mile, the Durban beachfront, with its golden beaches and the longest uninterrupted waterfront promenade in Sub-Saharan Africa. Get a glimpse of the beach lifestyle that Durban is famous for; walking on the beach, swimming, cycling, surfing.
At the Southern end of the beachfront we drive past the uShaka Marine World aquarium and through the new Point road development to see the exciting regeneration of
the more run down areas of the city centre next to the harbour. Durban harbour is the 4th
busiest container port in the Southern Hemisphere and the lifeblood of the city. We make our way into the hustle and bustle of the city centre with its art deco buildings, the Victorian old Post Office and the Neo-Baroque style City Hall. It is here where the multicultural nature of Durban really becomes evident --- informal roadside sellers, the splendid Juma Masjid Mosque, Hindu temples, the Emanuel Cathedral and the Victoria Street market renowned for its fragrant spices and curios. After a visit to the tranquillity of the Durban Botanic Gardens – the oldest surviving botanical gardens in Africa established in 1849. We continue via some beautiful panoramic views over the city, and conclude our tour with a stop at the Moses Mabhida football stadium which was built for the Football World Cup in 2010.
Optional & for own account: Bunny Chow lunch & Moses Mabhida Stadium Skycar

Day 8

Thank you for traveling with us!

Goodbye

Enjoy your breakfast and bid farewell to South Africa! . Hamba Gashle!
We say goodbye to Durban and get ready to travel back (HOME).
Your driver will pick you up to transfer you to the Airport.