Come and experience an exciting, challenging, and unforgettable cycling tour around the largest free-standing mountain in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Over 5 days of cycling, you will experience some of Tanzania’s most beautiful landscapes, vibrant villages, and wonderful cultures. From the Maasai people who inhabit the arid western plains of Kilimanjaro to the Chagga people who inhabit the foothills of the mountain, you will get to discover, experience, and learn about these wonderful cultures firsthand. While on your journey, you will traverse vast open grasslands rich in wildlife, lush green forests, farmlands, villages, and towns. This will be one of the most challenging but satisfying journeys you will ever make. As the saying goes, if you don’t want to climb Kilimanjaro, cycle around it!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
After arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will take a 40-minute transfer to your hotel situated just outside the town of Moshi, located on the lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Moshi Town to Tinga Tinga Village
Distance covered: 77km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Your ride today takes you from the greener southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro towards the more arid western side of the mountain. You will initially cycle through coffee and banana plantations as you pass through the more fertile areas of southern Kilimanjaro. As you head west, you will cycle through more arid open plains and acacia woodlands. These plains support a remarkable variety of wildlife and offer spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While Moshi is home to the Chagga people, the West Kilimanjaro plains are home to the nomadic Maasai people who coexist with the surrounding wildlife, giving this area the name “Maasai Lands.” Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads and will finish at the Ngabobo village, where you will be spending the night.
Road Surface: Tarmac, dirt, and gravel road
Accommodation: Olpopongi Maasai Village
Day 3: Tinga Tinga Village to West Kilimanjaro Farms
Distance covered: 27km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today’s ride takes you through the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets. Enduimet borders Amboseli National Park and serves as an important migratory route for wildlife, including African elephants. This area is inhabited primarily by the Maasai people, but there are large populations of other tribes such as the Chagga, Meru, and Pare people. Your ride starts off on the wide open plains dotted with acacia trees, but it gets greener as you approach the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, where a lot of cultivation takes place. Your cycling tour ends at Simba Farm, situated on top of vast wheat and barley fields overlooking the West Kilimanjaro plains.
Road Surface: Tarmac, dirt, and gravel road
Accommodation: Camping at Simba Farm
Day 4: West Kilimanjaro Farms to Nalemoru Village
Distance covered: 66km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today you will be cycling towards the northeast side of Mt. Kilimanjaro to Nalemoru village near the Kenyan border. Nalemoru village is where the Rongai route up Kilimanjaro starts off. Your ride today takes you through beautiful open farmlands with breathtaking views of the West Kilimanjaro plains behind you. You will cycle through several vibrant towns as you head up the foothills of the mountain towards the Rongai forest. Your ride today ends at the Snowcap Cottages, which are nestled right on the edge of the Rongai forest. On a clear day, you can enjoy amazing views of Kilimanjaro’s Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Elevation: 1,700–2,083 meters
Accommodation: Camping at Snowcap Cottages
Day 5: Nalemoru Village to Lake Challa
Distance covered: 64km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today you will enjoy a downhill ride towards the beautiful Lake Chala, a crater lake lying right on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Lake Chala is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. Fed entirely by underground springs from Mt. Kilimanjaro, the turquoise blue and green waters are surrounded by diverse plants, trees, and wildlife. The camp where you will be spending the night is situated on the edge of this mystical caldera lake, against a dramatic volcanic backdrop, providing the perfect place to unwind and absorb the serenity and tranquility of the area.
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Elevation: 2,083–1,165 meters
Accommodation: Camping at Lake Challa Campsite
Day 6: Lake Challa to Marangu
Distance covered: 29km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today’s ride will be short but challenging as you ride up to Marangu village in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. As you cycle through Marangu village, you will pass banana and coffee plantations along the way as well as the friendly Chagga people who will be waving and shouting “Jambo!” as you cycle by. Before getting to your camp, you will take a detour to the iconic Kinukamori waterfalls where you can stretch your legs and walk down to the base of the waterfalls. A local Chagga guide will give you a brief history of the area, the people, their traditions, and customs as well as the mystical legend about the waterfalls. After spending some time refreshing by the waterfalls, you will finish the last downhill stretch of your ride toward the camp where you will be spending the night.
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Accommodation: Camping at Marangu Hotel
Day 7: Marangu to Moshi
Distance covered: 49km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
You will be wrapping up your last day of cycling by traversing the villages and plantations on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The first half of the ride will be comprised of several steep ascents and descents followed by a second half which is a gradual downhill ride towards the bustling and vibrant Moshi Town. You will cycle through the suburbs and outskirts of Moshi Town on the back roads as you head towards the Keys Hotel, which marks the end of your incredible 6-day journey around Mt. Kilimanjaro on two wheels. You will seal off the evening with a nice celebratory dinner and sparkling wine to toast to your achievement.
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Accommodation: Panama Garden Hotel
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down before your flight home. Depending on flight times, you could explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast Included
INCLUDED
TREK Mountain Hardtail 4300 & Merida Matts 20-D Hardtail Mountain Bikes
Support vehicle(s)
Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
All meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Bottled mineral water for participants
Snacks and fruits at water points
All cycle transfers
All village, government fees, and taxes
Helmets
EXCLUDED
Tips
Laundry services and items of personal nature
Add-on tours and activities
