7 Days Cycle Tour around Mt. Kilimanjaro

Detailed Overview

Overview

Over 6 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!

Tour Highlights

• Experience an exciting, challenging and unforgettable 341 km cycling tour around the largest, free standing mountain in the world
• Amazing scenery
• Abundant wildlife

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to Moshi town situated at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Today you will meet your guide who will brief you about your upcoming tour and together you will do the bike fitting. For those arriving on the morning or afternoon flight, you will have ample time to go for a quick test ride through the nearby Sugar cane plantation and surrounding villages.

Meals: Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Keys Hotel

Day 2: Moshi Town – Tinga Tinga Village

Our ride today takes us from the greener southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro towards the more arid western side of the mountain. Your ride today will initially take you through coffee and banana plantations as you cycle through the more fertile areas of southern Kilimanjaro but as you head west you will cycle through the more arid open plains and acacia woodlands. These plains support a remarkable variety of wildlife and spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While Moshi is home the Chagga people west Kilimanjaro plains are home to the nomadic Maasai people who co-exist with the surrounding wildlife and it is why this area is known as the Maasai lands. Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads and you will finish the ride at the Ngabobo village where you will be spending the night. Road Surface: Tarmac, dirt and gravel road Distance: 73km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Camping at Olpopongi Maasai Village

Day 3: Tinga Tinga Village – West Kilimanjaro Farms

Our ride today takes us through the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area which is one of Tanzania’s best kept secrets. Enduimet borders Amboseli National Park and serves as an important migratory route for wildlife including the 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 today ends at Simba Farm which is situated on top of the vast wheat and barley fields overlooking the west Kilimanjaro plains. Road Surface: Tarmac, dirt and gravel road Distance: 60km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Camping at Simba Farm

Day 4: West Kilimanjaro Farms – Nalemoru Village

Today you will be cycling towards the north east 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 Distance: 66km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Camping at Snowcap Cottages

Day 5: Nalemoru Village – Lake Chala

Today you will enjoy a downward hill 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 Distance: 64km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Camping at Lake Challa Campsite

Day 6: Lake Chala – Marangu

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. While here, 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 towards the camp where you will be spending the night. Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road Distance: 29km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Camping at Marangu Hotel

Day 7: Marangu – Moshi

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 of the evening with a nice celebratory dinner and sparkling wine to toast to your achievement. Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road Distance: 49km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Lodging at Keys Hotel

Day 8: Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Best Travel Time

• March, April and November are the wettest months
• Cold temperatures are common during December – May

Inclusions

• Two or more class guides. Each of our trips has a minimum of two first class guides,y ou will have additional guides to ensure that you always enjoy superior customer service
• Bike Mechanic. Who will perform a wide range of repairs on Bikes during the trip
• Trip accommodations. Each night you’ll retreat to the best hotels or Tents in the region
• Snacks and drinks each day's Ride. Most of the meals, all breakfasts and most lunches and dinners are included in the price of your trip.
• Private Tours, tastings, entrance fees, park fees, rescue fees, crew salaries and all that kind of stuff
• Support vehicle. We support you both on and off the bike. We always have one guide in our support vehicle and the other cycling alongside you. They’ll fill up your water bottles, change your tire, call for a shuttle or shuttle you up the hill, provide you with local insight and make sure everyone is on the right track
• Transportation during the trip. The trips often take place off-the-beaten-track. So, on our trips we provide transportation both at the beginning and at the end of your trip.
• Luggage Transfers. We will ensure that your bags are safely delivered to your hotel room or Campsite.
• Airport pick up/Transfer to Airport. (NOTE: Only for multi day trips)
• Mountain Bikes
• Helmets
• Camping gears like tents, chairs, tables ,sleeping, bag and mattress
• First Aid Kit
• Water 1.5 liter or 3 liter everyday
• Lodging before and after the trip (NOTE:Only for Multi day trips)

Exclusions

• International/national flights and visa fees
• Personal items purchased during the trip (souvenirs, Internet, laundry etc.)
• Soft and alcoholic Drinks
• Tips to the guides
• Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurance
• Flying doctor rescue services
• Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park entrance fees
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions
• Optional activities not outlined on the itinerary

Optional Add-ons

• Additional program is possible. Have a look at our other offers

Important Notes

• There are many more one-day bike and multi-day bike tours available. Please contact us for further information.

What to Bring

• Follow the list below to ensure your comfort. You will have a better vacation if you are prepared.
• Please note that this list is not exhaustive!
• The items you will want to pack no matter what time of year are warm clothes for cooler evenings, good rain gear that you can ride in, and sunscreen. Avoid cotton clothing while riding. To stay comfortable, layering different weights of polypropylene, fleece, or wool works well. We love our Ibex wool clothing for the wide range of temperatures you are comfortable in.
• Standard Packing List
• Items to bring no matter what tour you are on
• Bike Gear
• Socks / enough for each day's ride
• Biking tights/equivalent / wool or polypropylene.
• Biking shorts for comfortable riding.
• Riding gloves / bring long fingered gloves for cooler weather.
• Riding jerseys/T-shirts.
• Windbreaker/light jacket for riding
• Camping and Other Gear
• Warm Sleeping bag and Sleeping pad / may be rented.
• Pillow / not included in rental gear.
• Towel, biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution, personal medications,etc.
• Head lamp, small lamps like the Petzel brand work well, &/or flashlight & spare batteries.
• Daypack / if you don't have a hydration pack, for hiking and extra storage.
• Water bottles / at least 1 for around camp
• For Desert Tours
• The lack of shade makes sun protection more important!
• Lightweight, long sleeve shirt for riding, hiking and camp
• For Mountain Tours
• Higher elevations can mean cold temperatures so plenty of layers are important for riding and in camp
• A larger riding pack may be necessary to carry extra clothing and rain gear each day
• Rain pants can be a good idea to supplement a rain coat that you can ride in
• Extra set of riding gloves in case one gets wet
• Wool socks and other clothing
• Down or puffy coat for cool evenings and mornings
• Other Clothing
• Extra pair of shoes for hiking &/or if others get wet, etc.
• Sandals / comfortable for around camp
• Rain Coat & Pants / should be waterproof. No ponchos
• Warm jacket for the camp
• Long pants/sweatpants
• Long underwear / great to sleep in cold nights!
• T-shirts / long and short sleeved
• Shorts for relaxing around camp
• Warm hat
• Long finger gloves/mittens
• Visor/wide brimmed hat for sun protection.
• Underwear, socks, & extra clothes as needed.
• Swimsuit optional, some trips have opportunities for swimming &/or for using the solar shower.