Cherry picking on the farm Iona and enjoy a tractor ride. Amazing Cherry products for sale with markets and we also explore Claren with a visit to the spectacular red sandstone mountains of Golden Gate and the Maluti mountain regions.
Day 1
We travel via Villiers, Frankfort, Reitz and Bethlehem to visit and view these quaint little towns. Lunch will be enjoyed in one of these towns. After lunch we continue with the scenic drive. We visit the Ash River Fallout before arriving in the town of Clarens. Here we then check into our Guesthouse, where we be staying over for the duration of the trip. After checking in at the guesthouse, it is time to relax or to start exploring the town on foot. Dinners will be at different restaurants in town.
Day 2
The Cherry Festival is the oldest crop festival in South Africa. It is estimated that there are 500 hectares of cherry trees in the Eastern Free State concentrated mainly in the Ficksburg, Clocolan and Fouriesburg area. There are approximately 250 trees per hectare and the average yield per hectare is 10 tons.
We visit Iona Farm to do a tour of a Cherry farm. We visit the cherry orchards and enjoy a tractor trip to the orchards on the farm for some picking, a tour of the packing shed, information on the cultivation and packing of cherries, plus a punnet to fill and take home. Jams, liqueur, wine, fresh cherries etc, will be on sale. There is a small market where you can do some shopping, buy cherries, enjoy lunch. Dinners will be at different restaurants in town.
Day 3
It is time to focus on the natural beauty of the area. During the morning, we travel to Golden Gate National Park. We travel through the park to view the wildlife and birdlife, and interesting rock formations of the park. It is a real photographic delight. After spending quality time in the park we return towards Clarens. The town has a big variety of art galleries and craft shops, all within very close distance from the main square, and the guesthouse. Guest will have the afternoon to spend at leisure roaming the town and enjoy the real village life. The streets are very safe to walk around in.
Day 4
Guests will have a last opportunity to visit the many craft shops and galleries in Clarens. We then start with the journey back towards the city. We will arrive back in the city in the early to mid-afternoon
