Cycle around the base of Africa’s tallest mountain and highest volcano. This is a bike trip like no other!
This adventure takes us through solitary rainforests, fertile fields of crop and through wild, dry acacia rich savannah, which is the home of the Maasai. The tracks around the cloud shrouded, snow-capped roof of Africa are mainly dusty, sometimes rocky, with a few asphalt roads. We spend a night in a Maasai cultural village to get to know their customs, songs and dishes.
Total Distance: 370km
Path: Off road & paved road
Highlights: Amazing scenery, Maasai culture, wildlife can be seen
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to Park View Hotel in Moshi town situated on 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 warming up ride through the nearby coffee plantation and surrounding villages.
Accomodation: Park View Hotel
DAY 2: MOSHI TO TINGATINGA VILLAGE | 72 KM
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 Tinga Tinga village where you will be spending the night.
Accommodation: Olpopongi Maasai Village.
Road Surface: Tarmac, dirt and gravel road.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner.
DAY 3: TINGATINGA TO SIMBA FARM | 48KM
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.
Accomodation: Simba farm Lodge
Road Surface: Tarmac, dirt
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
DAY 4: SIMBA FARM TO NALEMURU VILLAGE |66KM
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.
Accommodation: Snow cap cottages
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
DAY 5: NALEMURU TO LAKE CHALLA | 64KM
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.
Accommodation: Lake Challa Safari Lodge
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
DAY 6: LAKE CHALLA TO MARANGU VILLAGE | 24KM
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 Ndoro 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 and ancient Chagga cave, 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 / hotel where you will be spending the night.
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Accommodation: Mount Kilimanjaro Resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
DAY 7: MARANGU VILLAGE TO MOSHI | 49KM
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 Park View Hotel which marks the end of your incredible 6-day journey around Mt. Kilimanjaro, on two wheels. You will seal the evening with a nice celebratory sparkling Champagne to toast to your achievement.
Road Surface: Tarmac and dirt road
Accommodation: Chanya Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
