A new outdoor opportunity comes to Cape Town that enables one to learn more about an acclaimed botanic garden of the world, and ends with a decadent high tea at a five-star hotel writes KAREN WATKINS.
The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel has partnered with Glamtrails to offer a hiking dining experience in leafy Constantia.
Basic fitness required
The 4km walk takes about 90 minutes and is guided by Glamtrails’ co-founder, Tim Lundy. Although it is not a strenuous walk, basic fitness is required, along with comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen and water.
The excursion begins with a complimentary transfer from the hotel’s reception to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.
With this accredited mountain guide, author, and local wilderness rescue team’s guidance, walkers gradually ascend through a scented garden, forest, endangered cycads and immaculate flower beds, while enjoying panoramic views across the Cape Flats and False Bay. Tim shares his knowledge about Buchu’s, proteas and other plants in the country’s fynbos kingdom.
At the walk’s highest point the trail continues around the Kirstenbosch dam before heading to Rycroft Gate to exit the gardens.
It’s downhill from here passing through the lower section of Kirstenbosch before entering the shady Constantia valley greenbelts.
Passing horses, cyclists and dog-walkers the winding path crosses streams filled with ferns, trees and birdsong. The hike ends at the formal gardens of the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel.
Four-course high tea
It’s another world of multi-coloured rose beds, manicured lush lawns and giant camphor trees leading to the luxurious hotel entrance. Hospitality hosts wait to offer a glass of L’Ormarins Brut Rosé followed by a scrumptious four-course high tea.
Apart from Lavazza coffee the high tea includes a local selection of 11 loose-leaf fragrant teas. Each tea blend is curated by Master Tea Blender, Mingwei Tsai, who has created a unique Cellars-Hohenort Exclusive tea that includes yellow and white roses.
The high tea has four courses including savoury classics like cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, followed by quiche and wild mushroom arancini, traditional scones with jam and Chantilly cream, ending with an array of artistic cheesecake and gateau.
This walk and high tea experience is the perfect adventure for locals and visitors, and is suited to solo travellers and families at R1 285 per adult; R915 per child.
Glamtrails booking: Contact info@glamtrails.com, +27(0) 83 444 5267; www.glamtrails.co.za/contact; book Here.
What: The Cellars-Hohenort Glamtrails
When: Book in January 2023
WS
