The Cellars-Hohenhort Hotel, in partnership with Glamtrails, has introduced an inspiring new guest activity that we had the absolute pleasure of experiencing.
The activity combines the two worlds of hiking and fine dining to create an out of this world experience for its participants.
As you arrive, guests will be shuttled from the Cellars main entrance to the Kirstenbosch gardens where an immersive, guided walking tour through the gardens awaits, concluding with a Classic High Tea back at the hotel.
Guided by accredited mountain guide, author and Glamtrails owner, Tim Lundy, walkers will enjoy a captivating scenery and stories of local history, including the details of the fauna and flora told with a witty yet infectious sense of humour that somehow manages to make the activity less strenuous.
Walking through the famous scented garden you are met by different fragrances of flowers, some exuding a captivating fragrance that resembles an Italian perfume with certain plants giving off a very unpleasant smell which Tim explained attracts pollinators such as beetles and flies.
The walk then continues to a natural spring that was turned into a freshwater pool by Colonel Christopher Bird, the British Deputy Colonial Secretary, in the early 1800s. Not sure whether it was purposefully done as a way to blow his own trumpet or whether the shape of the bath was an uncanny coincidence, but walker’s will definitely notice that the bath is actually in the shape of a tiny bird which I thought was quite interesting.
You’ll then continue winding down a gentle slope, with the next stop being the Dell. An area within the gardens which contains plants like Cycads which existed during the time of Dinosaurs. To emphasise this fact, the gardens strategically placed Dinosaur sculptures all around the area which also makes for perfect Jurassic Park recreations for the avid content creator.
From the Dell, walkers will go through the Protea and Erica gardens which house our famous national flower The King Protea. This is where I also learned that the King Protea is the only Protea in the world with a shorter stem, a fact that Tim cleverly pointed out is yet to be refuted because a group of detectives in our group where already consulting with Mr Google. The tour is full on interactional which allowed us to not only learn more about the gardens and different types of vegetation, but also ask questions and immerse ourselves in the whole learning experience.
For those with a lack of fitness or smokers lungs, this is the part which was inevitably unavoidable. From the Protea and Erica gardens the path climbs up around the gardens with a moderately steep slope which lasts about 3 minutes before you reach level ground again.
Following a short break for us to catch our breath, Tim lead us towards the dam for some spectacular views over Cape Town before heading to the Rycroft Gate and out of the gardens. The walk crosses Rhodes Drive and continues through the Secret Forest on the way to the Cellars-Hohenhort, taking a detour for guests to view the manicured gardens of the hotel.
The Glamtrails route covers 4km and took us about an hour and 45 minutes to complete with the pit stops and regular head counts included. A basic fitness level is required although the guide was using a moderate pace throughout to accommodate all the tour members. You’re advised to wear comfortable closed shoes, a proper fitting hat because the wind up the hill gets very unpredictable and sunscreen.
As you enter the hotel hotel, the legendary Liz McGrath Collection hospitality awaits with a refreshing welcome drink of either champagne, freshly squeezed juice or water. Due to the amazing sense of fulfilment which came with completing the hike.
Everyone was in a celebratory mood and opted for a glass of champagne which helped alleviate my sense of guilt because I was quite skeptical of being the only one drinking champagne after a hike. The welcome drinks are then followed by a four-course High Tea, served against the beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain. For the avid tea lover, a presentation is then done by one of the highly trained hotel staff to tell us about the different tea’s on offer and the ingredients which were used to make them. You’re then allowed to pick your favourite tea from the presentation and shown a demo on how to blend your own cup.
For starters was the savoury collection which included cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches and biltong infused croustades topped with feta and baby tomatoes, followed by a second course of caramelised Onion Tart, Smoked salmon which was my favourite, Mousse cornets and Goats’ cheesecake. Buttery scones are the next highlight, served with strawberry jam and Chantilly cream, before the grand finale of irresistibly decadent delicacies such as Walnut Carrot Cake, Key Lime Pie, and Mini-Milk Tarts, to name a few.
The Classic High Tea also comes with a choice of eleven loose-leaf teas, as well as coffee. Each tea is meticulously curated by Master Tea Blender, Mingwei Tsai, who created a unique Cellars-Hohenhort Blend of Nigiro tea, incorporating the spicy fragrances and bronze colour of the Liz McGrath rose.
The Cellars-Hohenhort Glamtrails excursion is available by prior booking during November, December and January at a cost of R1285 per person. Children aged 12 and older are welcome at R915 per child.
Pictures: Supplied
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: Vrede en Lust wine estate installs 1,500 square meter solar infrastructure
