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Hiking Tour 7 Nights/ 8 Days

Price Per Person

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USD 1,600
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7 Nights/8 Days Hiking - Slack Packing! . .
Country: Lesotho
City: Mafeteng
Duration: 8 Day(s) - 7 Night(s)
Tour Category: Trekking Hiking Slack Packing
Package Itinerary

7 Nights/8 Days Hiking - Slack Packing!

HIKING TRAILS OVERNIGHTING IN BASOTHO VILLAGES EXPERIENCING “THE REAL AFRICA.”

The treks are usually about 7 hours each day. The huts and horses are hired from the Basotho people in remote areas. The huts are very basic and are equipped with a gas cooker, cooking & eating utensils, mattresses on the floor, and a bucket of water. On the trek you experience “THE REAL AFRICA”, staying in Basotho villages. The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho’s highest waterfalls. Basotho Guides and a packhorse accompany the treks.

This is an adventure, at your own risk!

Your name, number, and next of Kin are to be left at reception, before departure!

Indemnity forms are to be signed!

Day 1-Pick up at Maseru airport and be transferred to Lodge. Lunch & Dinner-Included!

After lunch at Malealea lodge, a local guide will take you on a +- 3 hours hike to view San Rock Art Paintings. The San Rock Art painted onto the walls of bare rock are the best descriptions, I’ve not seen preserved in a very long time! Once reaching these caves our guide will give a descriptive history of the San People and their nomadic history throughout Lesotho.

The description of the paintings will be described and each illustration will be discussed in detail! The ascent back will be uphill all the way and stops will be made for photographs and rest stops along the way. Arrive back at Malealea Lodge in time for local dancing and the local band, which has hand-made instruments. Dinner back at Lodge.

Overnight: Malealea Lodge.

Day 2 –Hike- Malealea to Ribaneng, 6-7 hrs.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-Included!

Your pack bags will be brought to your rooms in the morning where you can pack your gear in soft duffel bags or waterproof plastic bags.

After breakfast, you will be introduced to your horses and guides. After signing the indemnity forms and getting your helmets whilst the guides strap your bags to the packhorses, you will be given a short briefing about how to ride the horses. Hikers will pack their saddle bags, wait for packhorses to be saddled up and they can start walking.

The terrain is rough with a steep descent, river crossing, and steep ascent and once you’re on top of the first valley, the going gets easier. After a few hours, you will get a chance to rest and have a picnic lunch and then it’s only a few more hours to Ha Khotso, your first overnight stop.

The Ribaneng Falls has been in full view for the last hour, and we are looking forward to seeing them from close up. We unpack our gear in the hut, brew a cup of tea, and then head for the bottom of the falls, a two-hour return hike. Very impressive they are, two single drops, fifty meters each, and a welcome ice-cold pool at the bottom.

Overnight: Ha Khotso – Village Huts.

Day 3- Ribaneng to Ketane (6 – 7 hrs).

All meals-Included!

This morning is a tough uphill where you go from 1850 meters to 2600 meters via the top of the Ribaneng Falls. We stop here for a break and to admire the view. This pass was aptly named “Slide Your Ass” by the Roof of Africa Rally bikers, which was part of the route until, because of the erosion, it became suicidal and impossible to negotiate.

Even the Basotho pony, famous for its surefootedness, has difficulty here. As a matter of interest, in the early trading days under British rule, the ride from Malealea to Semonkong took twelve hours, today it takes up to three days, and the old bridle paths are so badly eroded.

From the top, it is practically downhill all the way for about three hours, to Ha Hlalele (Georgina’s village) where you will overnight. In the afternoon, you can do a short hike to view the Ketane Waterfall and Gorge, a 122m drop – about 2 hrs.

Overnight: Ha Hlalele – Village Huts.

Day 4 -Ketane to Semonkong Lodge. (6 hrs). Breakfast & Lunch-Included, Dinner-own cost!

Today is a gentle ride/hike via the spectacular Maletsunyane Falls.

Maletsunyane Falls is 204 meters high – the highest single-drop falls in South Africa. We view the falls from the top of the gorge and then ride on to Semonkong lodge. The pace today is much easier, though the altitude and terrain can make the going tiring. It feels good to be in civilization even if it’s for one night. You can order drinks from the bar and good, wholesome food from the restaurant.

Overnight: Semonkong lodge – en-suite lodge accommodation.

Day 5- Semonkong Lodge to Ketane (5 hrs).

Breakfast & Lunch-Own Cost. Dinner –Included!

After a hearty breakfast and collecting our packed lunches we head back to Ketane village. The route is spectacular – even if it’s the same route, you experience different views of pony trekking in a different direction. Georgina welcomes us back to Ketane. You can hike to the top of Ketane falls in the afternoon if you did not do this on the previous occasion. This takes about 2 hrs.

Overnight: Ha Hlalele – Village Huts.

Day 6 -Ketane to Thaba Kotje (6hrs).

All Meals- Included!

The ride takes about 6 hours. It’s an easy ride as the route takes you along the top of the mountains.

Overnight: Thaba Kotje – Village Huts.

Day 7- Thaba Kotje to Malealea (7hrs).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-Included!

PLEASE NOTE: When the Makhaleng River is in flood, we have to use the bridge which will add about 2 hours to the ride.

You descend into the Valley of Paradise, where you are welcomed with hot showers and the comforts of Malealea Lodge. You can enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal and much camaraderie around the fire in the evening.

Overnight: Malealea Lodge.

Day 8-Breakfast & Lunch-Included (Depending on departure flight!).

Depart Malealea Lodge after breakfast, for Maseru airport. The tour will finish off by visiting Morija, named after the biblical Mt. Moriah. Established in 1956. Morija has maintained the magic that first attracted the missionaries. It is the only forested village in Lesotho, with every road lined with trees, some of which date back more than a century.

Hidden between the trees is the historic ‘mother church’, as well as the schools, the printing works, the hospital, the museum, and other institutions established by the missionaries.

Depart for Maseru airport-Moshoehoe.

END OF TOUR!

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