India Venster Route: Scenic Hiking and Rock Scrambling in Table Mountain, Cape Town
5.0
37 Ratings
Cape Town
Experience the thrill of hiking and rock scrambling on the India Venster Route in Table Mountain, Cape Town. Enjoy stunning views, learn about local history and geology, and explore the diverse flora and fauna. Free hotel pick-up and drop-off included.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

You will be collected from your centrally located hotel at 6:30am and transported to the base of Table Mountain where your guide will brief you on safety and the overall hike. This adventurous route starts out on a gentle slope for the first 30 minutes and takes its names from India Ravine as it resembles the shape of India on a map when seen from the city below, and Venster which is a natural rock window you’ll hike to in the first half of the hike on the rocks offering views of Devils Peak. Even though the city is visible from most sections of the hike, one can often feel a million miles away from all the hustle and bustle. The top section of this route we round the Atlantic Ocean side of the mountain and get some views of the backside of Table Mountain as well. This hike is not suitable for those afraid of heights or uncomfortable on exposed areas as it includes some rock scrambling (where you need to use some upper body strength and use both our arms and legs to help us up) and exposed terrain. During the scrambling parts your guide will tell you exactly where to put your hands and feet making it a bit easier if you’re up for the challenge. Once we reach the top we will descend via the Cableway (weather permitting). (not included).

What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from the city centre and Atlantic Seaboard areas.
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified. We offer a lunchbox for R150 per person which includes 2L of water, a sandwich, seasonal fruit and snacks for the day. If you’d like us to arrange this for you please let us know.
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

This adventurous hike is a great way to get a birds eye view over the City of Cape Town while enjoying the beauty of nature that surrounds you. This hike features fun rock scrambling and an in depth look at our local history, geology, indigenous people, flora and fauna. Your trip also includes free pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city centre.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative route, date or full refund
Location
393W+XW Cape Town
Departure Point: Your centrally located hotel in Cape Town Dates: Daily Return point: Returns to original departure point
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(37 Ratings)
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P2917fvbarbarab
May 13, 2024
Best hiking experience! - Simply the best experience! I love hiking and have done a quite a few adventures, but being at Table Mountain with Lauren was something else, as it'd be possible, she makes the incredible views even more special with such passion, great energy and lots of knowledge about the local nature and history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R9555esjulief
Apr 16, 2024
Table Mountain Hike - Monique took us on the amazing journey up to the top of Table Mountain! She was very knowledgeable about the area, the plants and some South Africa history and she took things at our pace and really encouraged us throughout. We had a lovely day walking/hiking/rock scrambling and she made it super fun. Her and Lauren also gifted us a little honeymoon treat and recommended the perfect post-hike lunch spot. Would recommend Mother City Hikers and Monique to anyone traveling to Cape Town - great day with a new friend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raminag2020
Mar 5, 2024
10/10 - I had the most incredible time on this tour. Johan is so full of knowledge, patient, encouraging and truly made this experience unforgettable. Everything was seamless from the hotel pickup, to the dropoff, to the climb. I would absolutely recommend Johan and Laurent to anyone looking to have an incredible experience climbing Table Mountain, and would book again with them next time I am in CapeTown.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yzhao28
Dec 10, 2023
Fantastic day! - Lauren is a fantastic guide. One of our friends has poor eye sight. Laurent guided him throughout the hike with care and professionalism. We had an amazing day climbing up and down the mountain. We can't wait to return and hike more routes with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B7822jsjacquelinew
Dec 8, 2023
Hiking the India Venster as a couple. Great expereince.. Tough but not dangerous.. - We spontaneously went up the India Venster. It took us exactly 3 hours. Since we do hike a great deal in Germany and climb when gear and ropes are not required, we thought piece of cake. It was all manageable but you do have to be careful. It is basically bouldering and using your upper body weight to pull you up. The grips on the rocks are all over the place. We are 50 and 60 and went without a guide. We do ride road bikes a lot so we do have endurance. We saw one fellow from Switzerland doing the chain route alone which is further up the path (also the India Venster) We saw him at the top and it is tricky finding the way yet with a GPs and the yellow footprints you can find the way. It was the one of the best hikes we ever took. The cable car or the easy gorge can be taken down. We didn‘t see anyone else on the route except for the fellow from Switzerland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Djgottschalk
Dec 4, 2023
Great experience! - Monique was incredible as a private guide for my wife and I to explore the india venster route up Table Mountain. She was knowledgeable, fun, and kept us pushing ourselves at a comfortable limit. Hiking with her was one of the highlights of our trip! Would absolutely recommend and do it again. Lauren (the owner) was incredibly flexible and helpful to ensure we went up on the best day possible for great views and a wonderful experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heather_b
Oct 30, 2023
Brilliant trip! Book now. - Absolutely excellent trip, our family loved it and our teenage kids, that never agree to walk anywhere, have ranked this as one of highlights of our action. Packed vacation. Yvette our guide was fantastic and definitely showed us in her calm manner that we could tackle the trickier elements of this climb. We wouldn’t have done it without her. It took our relatively fit family 3.5 hours to get to the top but it felt like half that time. Lots of steep walking, scrabbling over rocks using hands and short stretches of using staples and chains. Some moments you wonder if you can do it but all doable with some guidance!
Review provided by Viator
O9994gqchristinet
Jul 22, 2023
Yes! To a Guide! - Absolutely incredible day! Lauren had everything planned with every need! (Lucky because our luggage was lost!) She could not be more passionate about this mountain and all that resides on it. I felt completely cared for, safe, and it was a pleasure to not have to worry if I was still on the path! This is the way to go when hiking Table Mountain! Thank you, Lauren for making this trip so special! I'll never forget this day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Earthsesrch-50485
Jul 6, 2023
Unforgettable - My large family group of 18 loved the friendly knowledgeable guides. It was a hike that became a unforgettable nature experience. Well done to your company..we LOVED it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thefinnishflash67
May 28, 2023
Unforgettable Hike in South Africa! - I proposed to my girlfriend during the hike and Mother City Hikers did an excellent job working with me in advance to make it extra special and unforgettable. Our guide Yvette was extremely knowledgeable of the routes and flora on the mountain. The hike was medium difficulty with a mixture of bouldering which made it super fun. The scenery on the mountain is beautiful and we went for the sunrise and have amazing pictures. I would highly recommend choosing this hike! Thank you Mother City Hikers for a truly memorable experience!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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