Whale Trail 5-Day Slackpacking Hike

Dates: 1-6 September 2022

Start Time: 09:00 am

Max Group Size: 5 SOLD OUT

Accommodation: Fully equipped 3-bedroom huts with hot water & electricity
Distance: 55km

Price & Payment Info: R6,000 (R3,700 deposit due on application approval) the remainder will be due on the 1st of August 2022

**Please Note: This is NOT a guided hike. This is 100% self-guided. I’m curating the experience in partnership with Escape Society. We’ll organise everything, host it, and take care of the food etc. but there will be no professional hiking guide. The path is clearly marked.

**Can cater for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb diets

** A list of menu options for each meal will be sent to you to choose from

Why There is an Application Process: 

Lauren will vet all applications to:

• Make sure everyone is who they say they are (for safety reasons).
• Ensure everyone is coming on the hike for the right reasons.

This helps create a trip with an amazing group of people.

Day 1:Potberg to Cupidoskraal

• Arrive at De Hoop Nature Reserve for check-in
• Start the hike and will walk for15.5km about 8-hours.
• Stop en-route for lunch
• Arrive at out huts and relax
• Have dinner together with wine pairing or gin and tonics.

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Day 2: Cupidoskraal to Noetsie

• Wake up at 6:30 for sunrise and breakfast.
• Pack up the hut and leave by 8:30am the latest.
• Stop en-route for lunch.
• Walk for 15.2km or approx 8-hours.
• Arrive at the hut and relax
• Have dinner together with wine pairing or gin and tonics.

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Day 3: Noetsie to Hamerkop

• Wake up at 6:30 for sunrise and breakfast.
• Pack up the hut and leave by 8:30am the latest.
• Stop en-route for lunch.
• Walk for 8.5km or approx 6-hours.
• Arrive at the hut and relax
• Have dinner together with wine pairing or gin and tonics.

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Day 4: Hamerkop to Vaalkrans

• Wake up at 6:30 for sunrise and breakfast.
• Pack up the hut and leave by 8:30am the latest.
• Stop en-route for lunch.
• Walk for 10.5km or approx 6-hours.
• Arrive at the hut and relax
• Have dinner together with wine pairing or gin and tonics.

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Day 5: Vaalkrans to Koppie Alleen

• Wake up at 6:30 for sunrise and breakfast.
• Pack up the hut and leave by 8:30am the latest.
• Stop en-route for lunch.
• Walk for 7km or approx 2-6 hours depending how long we swim/snorkel for
• Catch shuttle back to the parking lot at 12:00pm
• Drive is 45-minutes
• Drive back home or spend the night at a hotel in the area

• You have a GOOD LEVEL OF FITNESS and can easily walk 8-hours with a small pack.
• You’ve done full day hikes or multi-days and want something challenging WITHOUT the weight of a full pack.
• You’re comfortable going on a SELF-GUIDED HIKE without a professional guide.
• You love good FOOD AND WINE.
• You LOVE HIKING, but don’t like roughing it.
• You want to explore one of the most BEAUTIFUL TRAILS in South Africa.
• You want to get out of the house, make NEW FRIENDS and cross off the Whale Trail from your BUCKET LIST.

The hike is not for you if…

• You’re not comfortable going on multi-day hikes WITHOUT a professional guide.
• You cannot walk for HOURS at a time.
• You’re not into LUXURY hikes or SLACKPACKING.
• You don’t practice “LEAVE NO TRACE” principles.
• You’re not looking to make NEW FRIENDS and adventure buddies.
• You’re not over the AGE OF 18.
  

A full packing list will be sent out to you once your application is approved and your deposit is paid.

**NB: Your rate includes ONE 70l container which will be used transport food and gear you don’t want to carry**

These are the essentials you will need:

• Hiking backpack that can fit your water, lunch, snacks, camera and anything else you want to carry
• Hiking shoes
• Sleeping bag (no bedding supplied) + inflatable pillow
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper
• Small spade
• Light-weight towel
• 3l water capacity (water points are limited)
• Sun protection (sunnies, SPF 50+, hat etc.)
• Medical hikers kit
• Clothes
• Lunches and snacks
• Torch or headlamp
• Insect repellent

LAUREN MELNICK

CELESTÉ POLLEY

JESSICA-LEE DE FREITAS

Michael Kleynhans