Day 1
Drive through Cogman's Kloof, the natural gateway in or out of Montagu, today a declared National Monument. The tunnel, constructed by Thomas Bain, was completed in 1877. The historical British Fort built atop the tunnel in 1899 can be visited. An area of magnificent views, panoramic landscapes, towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams, and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora.Stop at Graham Beck, (Madiba's Winery) and Rooiberg just after Robertson, for a wine tasting. Onto Worcester, capital of the Breede River Valley, and largest of the Western Cape's three fruit and wine producing valleys. In Worcester you can visit the Kleinplasie "Living Open Air Museum" and experience life as the pioneers lived in years gone by. Each building is representative of a certain agricultural industry in the Western Cape during the period 1690 to 1900. The KWV Brandy Cellar, largest of its kind in the world, offers cellar tours and brandy tasting.
Then drive to Tulbagh, a charming, historical town with a wealth of Cape Dutch Architecture. It was extensively damaged in an earthquake in 1969. The town has been restored to its old-world splendour and has the largest concentration of National Monuments in South Africa. A walk down historical Church Street, with its many museums and antique shops as well as arts and crafts, is not to be missed. The next village we visit is Ceres. Oaktrees and beautiful architecture abounds. Back to Montagu through the magnificent Koo and Keisie Valleys with breathtaking views as you drive down the Burger's Pass.
Day 2
Today we drive the scenic R60 to Swellendam, a charming town that was founded as a military outpost in 1745. Together with Tulbagh, it is the third oldest town in South Africa and has many beautiful Cape Dutch, Cape Georgian and Cape Victorian buildings dating from the 18th and 19th century, including the old Drostdy, now part of a museum complex. The Bontebok National Park is 6km south of the town.From Swellendam we drive through Zuurbraak, a mission station, and over the magnificent Tradouws Pass with its pools and waterfalls to Barrydale, one of the prettiest villages on the Route 62. It offers unrivalled diversity of vegetation and wildlife within 30 km radius. The road back to Montagu runs through the most fertile fruit growing area with magnificent mountain views.
Day 3
Drive the Robertson Wine Route with famous wine farms like Springfield, Bon Courage, Van Loveren and Zandvliet, to mention a few. Maps are available at reception, ask the staff to assist you with recommendations and bookings.Day 4
Do the world famous tractor ride to she summit of the Langeberg .At 12h00, be at the Burger's Farm for a traditional "potjiekos" lunch. After lunch take the tractor trip up the mountain through the most unbelievable "fynbos". This trip is Wednesdays and Saturdays, we can arrange extra trips for groupsDay 5
Drive through Bonnievale and Stormsvlei to Bredasdorp where we visit the fascinating Shipwreck Museum. A visit to the nearby little mission station of Elim with its Moravian church and picturesque cottages is a must. The entire village is a National Monument and nobody may live there unless a member of the church. The old watermill (1833), the largest wooden water mill in SA was renovated in 1990 and is in use again to grind wheat.Onto L'Agulhas - the most southern tip of Africa, where the needle of the compass shows no deviation between true north and magnetic north, and the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The lighthouse at L'Agulhas is the second oldest lighthouse in SA built in 1849 to resemble the Egyptian Pharos-style lighthouse at Alexandria. Then drive on to Hermanus. The best land based whale watching in the world can be done here. The Southern Right Whales come to the peaceful waters of Walker bay to mate and calve each year - arriving in June and leaving in November.
Because of the cliffs and the resulting deep water, they come as close as 2 m away from the spectators. The cliff path stretches for 12 km from the one end of town to the other, and is well laid out with benches strategically placed along its entire length. This fishing village, established in the late 1800's' is an extremely popular tourist destination.
From Hermanus drive via Botrivier, Grabouw and Villiersdorp to Worcester, and then back to Montagu.
Other Activities
• The Montagu Country Hotel is the start of the Historical walk, a popular and informative tour revealing an unique blend of rural and urban architecture, restored houses and national monuments.• Golfing at any of three excellent golf courses nearby
• Sport i.e. squash, tennis, rock climbing, fishing, horse riding etc.
• The Hot Mineral Springs situated 2.7 km from the hotel offers outdoor warm swimming pools with a constant temperature of 43°C. Relax in the pools with its "healing powers".
• Walking trails for the nature lover varying from 2.4 km to 15.6 km through the beautiful kloofs of the surrounding mountains.
• 4x4 Routes - the Waboomsberg and Witkwas for the adventurer.
• Breede River Goose Boat Trips for a few hours of complete relaxation cruising on the river
• Visit Montagu Guano gaves, only 10 km out of town
• Attend the village market, every Saturday and public holiday