The Kilema route is primarily used as an access road for vehicles supplying the Horombo Hut and for medical evacuations. It consists of a 4×4 gravel road, generally in fair condition, making it a viable route for mountain biking.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be transferred (approximately 40 minutes) to your hotel near Moshi, situated on the lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2: Kilema Gate (1,950m) to Horombo Hut (3,705m)
- Cycling Time: 1 hour
- Distance: 16 km
- Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, you will meet your guide and transfer to the Marangu Gate (approximately 45 minutes). Upon registration at the park office, you will be driven to Kilema Gate, where you will prepare your equipment before starting your first cycling section. The trail is a 16 km 4×4 track leading to Horombo Hut. Cyclists with good fitness levels and mountain biking skills will be able to complete this section without difficulty. Regular stops will be made to aid acclimatization.
Upon arrival at Horombo Hut, your porters will set your tents up, and you will enjoy a warm dinner before retiring for the night. Temperatures at this altitude can drop to freezing.
Day 3: Kilema Camp (2,950m) to Horombo Hut (3,705m)
- Cycling Time: 3 hours
- Distance: 7 km
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, you will continue toward Horombo Hut on a steeper, rockier trail with loose stones. Horombo Hut is a bustling rest stop for ascending and descending hikers, creating an atmosphere of adventure. Upon arrival, enjoy a hot lunch and take the rest of the day to acclimatize and relax.
Day 4: Acclimatization Day – Horombo Hut (3,705m) to Kibo Hut (4,730m)
- Cycling Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: 9.6 km
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you will begin the ascent toward Kibo Hut. The first 3 km is rocky, requiring some bike pushing and carrying. Beyond this, the terrain flattens, making cycling possible through “The Saddle,” a vast, open plain between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. However, the high altitude, reduced oxygen levels, and cold conditions make this stretch strenuous.
Lunch will be served at Kibo Hut, where you will rest and prepare for the summit attempt.
Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,705m) to Kibo Hut (4,730m)
- Cycling Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: 9.6 km
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Following an early breakfast, you will return to Kibo Hut. The first 3 km involves bike pushing and carrying, while the last 7 km offers a smoother ride. After lunch, you will rest in preparation for the summit attempt. A short acclimatization hike is optional.
At Kibo Hut, there are bunk beds but no water sources. You must carry sufficient thermal clothing and ensure your water is stored in a thermal flask to prevent freezing.
Day 6: Summit Attempt – Kibo Hut (4,730m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Cycling Time: 7-8 hours ascent, 3-4 hours descent
- Distance: 5.6 km ascent
- Habitat: Summit Zone
Starting at around 22:00, you will begin the final ascent under the guidance of your team. The route first leads to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m), then to Gilman’s Point (5,681m). The section before Gilman’s Point, known as “Jamaica Rocks,” is the most challenging, requiring physical endurance and mental resilience. Due to steep scree and boulders, you will need to push or carry your bike for this stretch.
From Gilman’s Point, experienced cyclists may ride along the snow-covered ridge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement, you will descend back to Kibo Hut for a late breakfast before continuing to Horombo Hut.
Day 7: Kibo Hut (4,730m) to Kilema Gate (1,950m)
- Cycling Time: 3 hours
- Distance: 31 km
- Descent: 3,000m
The descent from Kibo Hut to Kilema Gate covers approximately 31 km, allowing for a thrilling ride down the mountain. You will then transfer back to your hotel in Moshi for rest and celebration.
Accommodation: Hotel
INCLUDED
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Accommodation in Moshi
- Mountain bikes & helmets
- All transfers to and from the mountain
- Professional mountain bike guides
- Guides, porters, cook salaries, and park fees
- Waterproof, four-season sleeping tents
- Sleeping mattress
- All meals on the mountain
- Mess tents with table and chairs
- Fresh, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Safety procedures and crisis management
- Ethical porter treatment
- Conservation fees, hut fees, and rescue fees
- VAT (18% Government tax)
- Portable oxygen tanks & oximeter
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for summit attempt
- Kili Bike Adventures T-shirts
- Bike safari at West Kilimanjaro
NOT INCLUDED
- Crew tips
- Laundry services
- Tanzania entry visa
- Personal hiking gear
- Recommended vaccinations (Yellow Fever, Meningitis, Hepatitis A)
- Travel and medical insurance
