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| Duration: | 13 Day(s) - 12 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Mountain Biking Overland |
Lesotho and Northern Drakensberg (Umkhlamba National Park) MTB Tour – 12 Nights / 13 Days
(Own Bikes and Gear Required)
Day 1: Depending on Flight Arrival
Pick up at Maseru Airport, transfer to the lodge for bike setup, then ride the Roma Valley, followed by dinner at the student pub, where you will enjoy a local barbecue and a Maluti beer.
Roma Loop Route Details:
20 km (easy riding in and around Roma)
Surface: 8 km single track, 8 km gravel road, 4 km tarred road.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 2: Depart After Breakfast for the Ride
Route Details:
45 km, 920 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 10 km single track, 25 km gravel road, 10 km tarred road.
Overnight: At the guest house.
Day 3: Depart After Breakfast for the Ride
Route Details:
63 km, 1415 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 6 km tarred road, 12 km single track, 45 km gravel road.
Overnight: Malealea Lodge.
Day 4: Depart After Breakfast for the Loop
Route Details:
54 km, 1480 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 27 km single track, 27 km gravel road.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 5: Depart After Breakfast for the Ride
Route Details:
62 km, 1620 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 48 km gravel road, 14 km single track.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 6: Rest Day or Semonkong Loop Ride
Rest day or enjoy the Semonkong Loop, including a ride around Maletsunyane Waterfalls (204 meters).
Route Details:
16 km, 400 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 12 km gravel road, 4 km single track.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 7: Depart After Breakfast for the Ride
Route Details:
51 km, 1235 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 8 km tarred road, 31 km single track, 12 km gravel road.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 8: Depart After Breakfast for the Metolong Dam Loop
Route Details:
61 km, 1520 meters elevation gain.
Surface: 45 km gravel road, 9 km single track, 7 km tarred road.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 9: Exit Lesotho via the Maseru Bridge Border Post
Depart after breakfast and exit Lesotho via the Maseru Bridge border post.
Travel through the Orange Free State, stop for lunch in Clarens, and after lunch travel via Golden Gate National Park before arriving at the lodge in the Northern Drakensberg late afternoon.
Overnight: At the lodge.
Day 10: Northern Drakensberg Ride
Depart after breakfast for the ride.
The first day starts down the valley on a flowing single track through the Acacia Meander and past the pecan grove, before climbing up to Montusi Lodge via a short section of tar road.
From Montusi, the trail continues on single track down into the Wanhoop Valley, across the Wanhoop stream, and into the Langkloof community. Stop for cold drinks at a local spaza shop before heading up the spectacular Berg Traverse.
This section of the trail is usually only accessible during the Ride the Berg Race, making it a special experience.
The descent back into the Wanhoop Valley offers some challenging switchbacks. The trail then climbs steeply back to Montusi via Angry Asthma, and then continues back up the valley to The Cavern.
Distance: approximately 45 km.
If the group stays at Montusi, the route will exclude the ride down the valley past the pecan grove and back, but will include more single track around Montusi.
Distance: approximately 30 km.
Overnight: At the resort.
Day 11: Berg Trails Ride
Depart after breakfast to start the ride.
Ride back down the valley on the fast single track, this time staying on the track parallel to the road. The climbing then begins, going over the hill to Alpine Heath, followed by 6 km of steep climbing on concrete strips to Greenfire Lodge.
The effort is rewarded at the top with the spectacular Ingwe Trail, a breathtaking meander through sandstone outcrops and yellowwood trees.
The trail reconnects with the Nook Road, a 4x4 trail that hugs the sandstone cliffs and ends with a thrilling descent past Montusi.
Stop for tea and a scone (or a Drakensberg Brewery craft beer) before returning to The Cavern via the Windmill Trail and the berms of Forbidden Pass.
Distance: approximately 38 km.
If the group stays at Montusi, the ride will start down the berms at Forbidden Pass, including the switchbacks on The Quad.
The trail continues past Montusi Waterfall Cave and Owls Pass, through the fields past the pecan grove, and climbs over to Alpine Heath and Greenfire Lodge, finishing with the fast Nook Road descent.
Distance: approximately 36 km.
Overnight: At the resort.
Day 12: Cavern and All Out Adventures Ride
Depart after a healthy breakfast to start the ride.
Today’s route begins with a sharp climb out of The Cavern onto the spectacular Grotto Trail, heading towards All Out Adventures via Down Time, an 8 km masterpiece of flowing turns descending from the ridge into the valley.
After a cappuccino break, the fun continues down the Berm Trail into the Montusi Gorge.
If riders have the energy, they can attempt the Lap Race (2 × 5 km laps) to try to reach the leaderboard.
If not, the route continues gently through the valley along the river beneath the acacia trees, finishing with the final climb back to The Cavern.
Distance: approximately 25 km.
If the group stays at Montusi, the ride will start down the berms of Forbidden Pass, through the single track beside the pecan trees, before joining the trail climbing to The Cavern.
The ride finishes back up Forbidden Pass.
Distance: approximately 35 km.
Overnight: At the resort.
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Durban Airport for departure.
End of Tour
Included:
All stipulated accommodations
3 meals daily
Driver/guide
2 airport transfers
Bottled water
Mountain bike guide (90% of the route)
Border and entry fees
Excluded:
Personal insurance and expenses
Tips for guides
All alcoholic and soft drinks
MTB and personal riding gear
