AE Ampitheatre Heritage Hike 2014

7/21/2019 AE Ampitheatre Heritage Hike 2014

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Amphitheatre Heritage Hike

Northern Drakensberg - KwaZulu Natal

Slackpack to the Roof of Africa 3 Da Hike

The Amphitheatre is the most recognisable and dramatically imposing feature of the entire

Drakensberg range, a World Heritage Site of outstanding environmental and cultural

significance. A mighty wall of basalt rises over !!! metres from the Tugela valley to the

"esotho plateau nearly #!!! metres above sea level. $art of its aesthetic appeal arises from

its near perfect symmetry, e%tending as a sheer wall of rock some & kilometres in length

from the 'astern (uttress to the Sentinel $eak in the west) altogether an area of ma*estic

and incomparable beauty providing some of the finest scenery in the world.

The Amphitheatre Slackpacking trail has been planned to enable walkers of average abilityto reach these heights and to be rewarded by awe inspiring, never)to)forgotten views from

the top of the escarpment ) a feat normally only undertaken by fit and e%perienced hikers

who would normally have to camp overnight on the escarpment. (y spending # days and #

nights on the route, staying at conveniently located lodges, and having the benefit of a

hiking guide to make decisions on routes and weather conditions, it is possible for anyone

who is reasonably fit to stand on +top of the world+ and e%perience the same sense of

accomplishment as the dedicated hiker.

The hike has been planned so that you can walk at a comfortable pace and without the

burden of a heavy backpack. At the end of the day, youll have the chance to rela% and

recover at the lodge ) providing hot showers, nourishing food and a comfortable bed.

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!H"3-DA#A$%H&!H"A!R"SH&K"&!&N"RAR#&S:

Day 1:15km.Avg Hike Time- 5.5-6.5 hrs, 726m 'levation ain, 1273mTotal Ascent

After a hearty breakfast, you will be met by your guide. Todays hike commences with a

rather stiff climb, to get above the sandstone cliffs. Half)way between the /avern and the

cliff line there is the option of a 0&min detour to some San 1ock Artat "one 1ock 2a

worthwhile detour34. The path then continues upthrough Sugar "oaf ap, taking you above

the Sandstone /liffs, at which point youll wish to catch your breath, and en*oy the

spectacular vista across the 5orthern Drak 6alley. 7rom here, the route undulates along the

ridge bypassing /old Hill and /old 1idge with sweeping views across to the former

homeland 8wa8wa and 9etsi 9atsho Dam. (roome hill at :.;km, makes a good lunch spot,

after which point it is appro%


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plateau%. The chain ladders are reached after about # kilometres, and after negotiating the

two sections of rock wall it is only a short scramble up from there to the escarpment where

you can spend the better part of the day in e%ploration. 7or those persons scared of heights,

there is also the ully ?ptionC or upthe gully and downthe chain ladders 2or vice)versa4.

Here is Africas highest waterfall, where the headwaters of the Tugela drop a sheer


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'&!A( S!A!S

Distan$e: Appro%#3 ki%ometreswith 13&& metresin altitude gain. >ou need some

fle%ibility around distances ) determined by the guide and dependent on groups abilities

and reFuirements.

Duration: # days = # nights. There is the option of a Ethnight at /avern (erg on reFuest.

'rae: Strenuous walking at times, but no technicalsections other than the chain ladder

some e%posure on the trail before the chain ladders. ully alternative is available for those

with a fear of heights on the chain ladders.

'roup (i)e: 9in 0 G ma%imum 0 persons per guide, but larger groups can be

accommodated. Smaller parties may be combined with other groups to reach optimal siBe.

C%imate:Summer 25ov )9ay4 is wet and warm, with most rain during ?ct )9ar. Daily tempscan climb to 0& ) #! deg / rain falls mainly as afternoon thunderstorms. Winter 2Iune to

?ct4 consists of mainly dry, sunny, clear, crisp days with daytime temps averaging &)0!

deg / night)time temps dropping below Bero. Snow and ice is more common, but only

remains for any length of time on the highest ground.

(easona%ity* Best time o+ year: All year round. Jn summer it is wise to make the most of

the mornings, and presume afternoons will be wet. Whilst days are shorter in winter

because the weather is more stable, the whole day can usually be used for hiking. Spring

summer are the best months for wild flowers.

ai%ai%ity:$referred to be outsideof peak holiday long weekends

Dis$%osure:Hikers must understand that the Drakensberg has a temperamental climate

with four seasons possible in one day and should be prepared for e%treme weather events

anytime of year. Hikers must respect the decision of their guide if his=her advice is to turn

back early, not summit, or not hike at all, due to inclement weather conditions.

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Package Options / Pricing: "a%i +rom 1 /$t 2&13 0 3& De$emer 2&1#

$rices based on pp*sharin! asis urin! non-peak perios. K $rice is sub*ect to change

if you want to do this hike duringpeakholiday periods availability permitting.

Option A: The Sentinel

Fully Catered, Guide for 2 Hike Days, Hotel Accommodation ! "i#hts

0)# $ersons- #&&&*pp

E)& $ersons- 375&*pp


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Hiking )ui*e3 for )rst ' hike %ays "Day * is an easy self3gui%e %own to

Royal (atal#

Hiking %ermit3 for !ike %ay ' from $entinel Car -ark "R42pp#

+itsies - Sentinel ,ar %ark -return !ransfer: !ike Day '

%riate Return !ransfer: pick3up from Royal (atal & transfer back to the

Cavern on )nal %ay

/4/ 4( 0 / /4/ B:

%orter Support.5or Days 1 & * "Day ' you6ll leave main bag at Witsies hotel#:

R/001per porteri/e/ R'42porter2per %ay/ -lease note that porters %o nee% to be

-R73+8897D & there are a limite% no of porters with backpacks/ There is a weight

limit of 14kg2per porter/

Hiking )ui*e for Da 3.R/00per group up to / persons, thereafter R201pp

7%!&7N !7 R"$7'" N&)H! A! ,A'"RN

8n special reuest, if you )n% your 8W( accommo%ation in the area or able to

arrive by /*am for the )rst hike %ay, you D8(T nee% to overnight at the Cavern &

we will %e%uct R=001ppo0 the a%vertise% 8pt + price/

"6!RA "6%"NS"S !7 8D)"! 97R :7%!&7N 8;.

S&N)(" S%%("$"N!

7** No )roups "i/e/ *, 4 pa


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Bookin!s: >our agent is $tie s$apes. We can be contacted on

&8#-2#&7277 * &33 33&6131 or emailed at- toursLactive)escapes.co.Ba

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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AE Ampitheatre Heritage Hike 2014