Group Size: 6-10 participants

km = kilometer & am = altitude meter

Day 1              Arrival Kilimanjaro, transfer to Hotel

After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are welcomed by your tour guide. Transfer to your first accommodation. (D)

Key’s Hotel

Distance by bus 42 km, duration 1 h

Day 2              Bike Tour around Moshi

This day is for your acclimatization. After adjusting the bikes your guide will ride with you along the lower slopes of the volcano and around town. Distances and climbs can be adjusted. (B,D)

Key’s Hotel

Distance by bike 46 km, 810 am, gravel/tar

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 3              Bike Tour Moshi – Lake Chala

The route is on uneven paths, mainly over farmland of the Chagga people. A long climb leads to Marangu, one of the gateway points to Kilimanjaro. Banana and coffee plantations change with little villages. The kids have a ball and come running to the road calling “Mzungu”. Towards the end a 13 kilometer downhill takes you back into savannah country to a beautiful lodge at Lake Chala, offering swimming, birding and game viewing on foot.

(B,L,D)

Lake Chala Safari Lodge & Campsite

Distance by bike 67 km, 1375 am, gravel tracks/tar

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 4              Bike Tour Lake Chala – Rongai

You are heading further north anti-clockwise around the volcano. In the higher regions you see good farming practice of water and soil saving agriculture of the locals. You ride close to the Kenyan border climbing gently to higher altitude. The last 9.5 km are on tar and steep. In the afternoon you arrive at your cozy chalet. This is one of the starting points leading onto the mountain. If you want to get a taste of what it’s like you can go for a walk. (B,L,D)

Snowcap Cottages

Distance by bike 65 km, 1425 am, tracks/tar

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 5              Bike tour Rongai – Olpopongi Masai village

Cross the northern ridge of Kilimanjaro to the highest point of the tour at 1920 m. Your tires will reach their limit because nobody can escape the large acacia thorns. During the last kilometers you might spot some game. At Masai cultural village of Olpopongi you will sleep in typical rondavels. (B,L,D)

Olpopongi Maasai Village

Distance by bike 92 km, 850 am, gravel tracks

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 6              Bike tour Olopopongi – Mukuru Training Camp

In the morning you will ride between Mt. Kili. and Mt. Meru. During the hilly and dusty ride you might spot elephants, zebra, antelope, and buffalo. Stay at the charming Mukuru Training Camp. In the late afternoon you will head for Arusha National Park in a 4×4. Giraffe, zebra, buffalo and elephant are the large animals, monkeys and countless birds are the little animals in the park. (B,L,D)

Mukuru Training Camp

Distance by bike 43 km, 410 am, gravel tracks

Distance 30 km during the safari

Day 7              Bike tour Mukuru – Moshi

Through acacia and shrub landscape you head back to Mt. Kilimanjaro. A steep climb brings you back into Chagga territory. Banana and coffee plantations are accompanied by little settlements. You will descend for lovely Weru Weru River Lodge. In the evening you can celebrate the circumnavigation of Africa`s highest mountain with some cold Kilimanjaro beer. (B,L,D)

Weru Weru River Lodge

Distance by bike 82 km, 1100 am, gravel tracks/tar

Distance 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 8              Relaxing and preparation day

Enjoy part of the day of by chilling by the pool. Prepare for the mountain expedition. The luggage needs to be trimmed down to a maximum of 12 kg for the porters and needs to be in a waterproof bag. (B,D)

Weru Weru River Lodge

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 9              Bike tour Kilema Gate (1980 m) – Kilema Camp (2900 m)

You have a choice by riding up (38 km, 1425 am) or transfer to Kilema Gate (approx. 1 h) where you start your adventure. The path is narrow with lots of roots and rocks and often you have to push the bike. It is quite warm still so a short sleeve bike jersey and pants are recommended. There is a packed lunch, which is given out before tour start. You receive a packed lunch every day, which is freshly prepared by our cook. An excellent dinner can be expected each evening. Vegetarian meals can also be cooked if we are informed in advance. Distance and altitude meters can be increased by starting before Kilema Gate. (B,L,D)

Tent at Kilema Camp

Distance by bike 8 km, 820 am

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 10             Bike tour Kilema Camp (2900 m) – Horombo Hut (3700 m)

Today the total height gain is around 970 am and the distance covered is around 6.5 km. It is significantly cooler than the previous day. It is advised that you pack in a light jacket. The trail goes through alpine moors where you can see massive Erica and Seneca. There is plenty of time, so a ride/walk to nearby Mawenzi Peak is worth a while. An additional day can be spent here to improve acclimatization (B,L,D)

Tent at Horombo Hut

Distance by bike 6,5 km, 970 am

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 11             Bike tour Horombo Hut (3700 m) – Kibo Hut (4700 m)

The landscape gradually changes as you reach the high-alpine zone. The landscape is spars, rocky and shares a resemblance with Mars. It is always possible to turn around and make your way back down accompanied by a mountain guide. Whoever feels capable continues to climb 9.5 km to the height of 4700 m to the Kibo hut. The Kibo hut is the base for the summit. Depending on the level of fitness, you begin the night ascension at midnight or around 01:00 am. (B,L,D)

Tent at Kibo Hut

Distance by bike 9,5 km, 985 am

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 12            Peak ascension Kibo Hut (4700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Horombo Hut                                     (3700 m)

During the lengthy ascent to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro you cover an altitude of 1145 am, the descent to Horombo hut is another 2295 m. This is a strenuous climb compared to the previous days. Headlamps are needed if the night is cloudy, however the route is visible enough if the moonlight illuminates it. One can find up to 12 cm of snow and temperatures around minus 10-15 °C. You reach the crater’s edge at Gilmans Point at dawn or sunrise where Africa is lying at your feet. You continue to the actual highest point, Uhuru Peak on the opposite rim of the crater, which you reach after another hour. Every meter of incline on the bike is an immense effort. After spending half an hour to an hour’s time on the highest peak of the continent, the fun begins! Riding down some 3600 am first via an ashy slope, later on harder but rocky surface one gets back to lower altitude. The descending trail is identical to the ascending trail. The path is stable, and one can reach the Kibo hut without great difficulty. The porters are anticipating our arrival at the hut, where lunch is prepared. After a one-hour nap or rest, you tackle the descent to the Horombo hut. The total distance for the day is 19 km. (B,L,D)

Tent at Horombo Hut

Distance by bike 19 km, of which 6 km ascending, 1145 am

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 13             Bike tour Horombo Hut (3700 m) – Kilema Gate (1980 m)

The descent to Kilema Gate leads through the rainforest again and leaves you with a wistful mood, as you have to say goodbye to this majestic natural wonder, which you have been exploring for the past 4 days. Outside the gate you ride down a gravel road back into civilization. The vehicle awaits you at the tar road and transfer you to the hotel – or you ride back down to the hotel (38 km, 1425 am). In the evening you celebrate, as you reminisce about our 5895 m Mount Kili climb. The tour guide hands out certificates and bids you farewell with “Kwa heri ya kuonana. Safari njema!” (B,L,D)

Weru Weru River Lodge

Distance by bike 15 km, 55 am

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 14             Transfer Kilimanjaro Airport and home journey

Up until the time of transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport you can use the time to go for one last souvenir shopping trip. Departure by plane or do a safari extension in nearby Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro Crater. (B)

Distance by bus 30 km, duration 0.5 h

Accommodation subject to availability

Despite its height (850 m – 2100 m) the area around Kilimanjaro is still a malaria risk area. A prophylaxis is recommended. The tours are in the months of the dry season. The cool temperatures of the night (15 °C) can rise up to 30 – 35 °C during the afternoon. To be able to reach heights of 5895 m, the body needs to be properly trained, and needs to adjust itself to these conditions. If one travels the highest summit of the continent with too much haste, they might not make it to Uhuru Peak. Temperatures on top can get down as far as -20 °C.