|
|
5 Day "Fish Eagle" Mule Trail - Fish River Canyon - Bronze Level |
|
Imagine exploring the Fish River Canyon – from as close as can be and without lugging a heavy backpack along! By enjoying Mule Trails it enables hiking enthusiasts to enjoy the stark beauty of almost pristine nature in the second largest canyon on earth. A team of mules carries all luggage and equipment while hikers only have to take a light rucksack for the day’s necessities. A seasoned tour guide points out and explains the rock formations which are millions of years old, as well as the unique flora and fauna. This trail takes participants into the wilderness area north of the main lookout point. Nights are spent in a tent or in the open, depending on personal preference and outside temperatures.
The Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on earth, is situated in the transition zone between two desert systems, the Nama Karoo and the Succulent Karoo (the world’s most diverse desert). The landscape is characterised by meandering gorges, which are up to 500 m deep and twist and turn through layers of rock, which are millions of years old. The flora includes unique plants like the quiver tree, candelabra euphorbia or tamarisk; game such as mountain zebra, klipspringer, kudu, duiker, springbok and ostrich abounds in the area.
|
|
|
|
Day 1
Participants arrive at Cañon Outpost in Gondwana Cañon Park at the Fish River Canyon by their own arrangement. In the evening we discuss all there is to know about the tour and acquaint ourselves with the equipment. (Incl. dinner and accommodation at Cañon Outpost).
Optional on request - Tour with transfer from and to Windhoek: guests are picked up at their accommodation in Windhoek;
Day 2 Mule Trekking
After breakfast we load our gear onto the mules and set off at around 7h00. We leave the gorge of the seasonal Gaap River on zebra paths, clamber up to plateaus and cross them, and every now and then we stop to marvel at the vast canyon scenery. At midday we have a picnic in the shade while the mules move on ahead of us. In the afternoon we continue down an escarpment, through rugged valleys and across stony
and sandy plains. Finally we arrive at the Fish River – and at our first camp. While we enjoy a drink at the campfire our tour guide prepares dinner; anybody who feels like it is welcome to help. The night is spent at Flamingo Bay Camp, in a tent or in the open under the star-studded night sky. (BLD)
Day 3 Mule Trekking
We enjoy our first breakfast out in the open. On smooth, blue dolomite we find abstract rock engravings – traces left by Namibia’s original inhabitants thousands of years ago. Then we continue upstream along the Fish River. Patches of river pebbles alternate with slabs of rock and sand dunes. Dramatic chapters of Earth’s history can be gleaned from the massive layers of rock. At lunchtime, picnic in a shaded little spot. Occasionally we come across deep pools of water in which we take a refreshing dip or fish for Fish River carp. In the afternoon we arrive at Echo Pools Camp – named after the echo reverberating from the arched rockfaces. Sipping sundowners we watch in awe as the rock reflects the light of the setting sun in a blaze of colours. (BLD)
Day 4 Mule Trekking
Today the shortest, but at the same time most strenuous leg of the hike lies ahead of us. A zigzag path as steep as it is littered with stones is the way up, onto a high plateau. The exertion is amply rewarded: with a 360 degree panoramic view across the canyon scenery which extends to the far horizon, 40 km and beyond into every direction - a spectacular contrast to the limited field of vision in the canyon. At midday we find some shade for our picnic. Thus fortified we cross the plateau, past clusters of quiver trees, and come to a little spring. To our amazement there is a high waterfall. Depending on the time of year and the yield of the rainy season it either lies dry or has water cascading over it. In the afternoon the highlight of our tour awaits us: our camp, pitched right next to the rim of the Horse Shoe Canyon. (BLD)
Day 5 - Transfer to Canon House
After breakfast we pile into the open vehicle, which takes us to the final destination of our roundtrip. We relish the two-hour drive through the canyon scenery. As we pull up at Cañon House our tour has come to its end. (B)
|
|
2012 Rates
[March to September 2012]
R8,745 per person
No single supplement - Min 2 pax and Max 14
Trips run between 15 May to 15 September on request
Price Includes: Schedule as described above (single room / tent on request); all meals as described above. During the tour breakfast (cereals, coffee/tea), lunch (bread, cheese, salami), dinner (a light cooked meal, with coffee/tea) During the tour: an experienced guide, mule driver and supply team; mules for the luggage, crockery and cutlery, stool for sitting, sleeping bag with lining, light thermo-mat, tent; park fees where applicable
Price Excludes: Beverages (other than water, coffee & tea), bottle to drink from (about 2 litres); light rucksack (can be hired), 6 to 8 kg have to be carried by everybody; Personal travel insurance - this is compulsory; tips/gratuities; souvenirs/presents; transfers to/from Windhoek (on request)
MULES NOT AVAILABLE FOR RIDING |
print friendly version of this page
|