Trip Overview
Embark on an exhilarating journey by Cycling to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and descending into the vast African plains. Enhance your experience by combining this thrilling adventure with a mountain bike safari. This unique and unforgettable expedition promises the perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping challenges and breathtaking natural beauty. Upon reaching the summit, prepare for a mandatory souvenir photo to commemorate your achievement. And the best part? You will experience a nearly 5000m descent back down. This is an adventure you will be talking about for years to come.
Highlights
- Experience the rare adventure of mountain biking to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa.
- Enjoy one of the world's most thrilling mountain bike descents from the summit to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Cycle across lush rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert, and the Arctic summit zone in a single expedition.
- Celebrate your accomplishment with a mandatory summit photo and an official cycling summit certificate.
- Extend your adventure with a guided cycling safari through Tanzania's scenic landscapes and wildlife areas for an unforgettable African experience.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our representative will be waiting to welcome you. You will then be transferred to The Maridadi Hotel, where you can relax and recover from your flight.
If you are already in Tanzania, we can also arrange pickup around Moshi/Arusha and transfer you to Maridadi Hotel, where the tour will begin.
In the evening, you will meet your experienced mountain guide for a comprehensive pre-climb briefing. During this session, the guide will review the itinerary, explain important safety procedures, discuss weather conditions, and provide advice on the clothing and equipment needed for the climb. You will also meet the mountain crew, inspect and prepare your mountain bike, and make any final adjustments to your gear to ensure everything is ready for the adventure to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Today we will ride at West Kilimanjaro. Mountain biking in this game reserve in Tanzania is a fun and thrilling way to explore the wilderness. If you love adventure and are confident on a bike, then this experience is perfect for you!
Distance: 50 km / 31 miles
Riding time: 6 hours
Elevation gained: 600 m / 1,968 ft
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Riding time: 4 hours
Elevation gained: 1,150 m / 3,773 ftThis day marks the start of our journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. After breakfast we will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Marangu Gate, the entrance to the Kilimanjaro Park. At the gate we will complete the required registration and then drive the rest of the way to our starting point; Kilema gate. From here, we will then start riding through the lush rainforest that flanks the lower parts of the mountain, spotting some Colobus and blue monkeys. We will enjoy all of the fascinating flora and beautiful flowers until we reach the camp, where your tent and a hot dinner will already be waiting for you. This is the only night we will spend camping.
Accommodations: Kilema Camp
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Riding time: 4 hours
Elevation gained: 620 m / 2,030 ft
We will continue our journey up the mountain today on a steeper trail. The day will be a combination of riding and some hike-a-bike. We will reach our mountain hut at Horombo in time for a hot lunch and plenty of time to relax in the afternoon. We will need the rest as we get ready for the days to come.
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Riding time: 2-3 hours
Elevation gained: 280 m / 920 ft (up and down)
Today we have an important acclimatization day. We will have the choice to ride or hike up to 4000 m / 13,150 ft and return back to Horombo hut for a hot lunch. The trail is quite rocky, so many people prefer to hike, leaving their bicycle at the hut. Those you like to mountain bike usually carry their bikes up and then ride down. We will spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the magnificent views.
Accommodations: Horombo Hut
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Riding time: 6-7 hoursElevation gained: 1000 m / 3200 ft
We will start the day with a hike-a-bike and then continue with riding toward the alpine desert. Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and we will get to ride through volcanic rock while getting unforgettable views of Mount Mawenzi and Kibo. The last bit up to Kibo Huts is challenging as we reach higher elevations, but going “pole pole” (slowly and steady) is the way. We will be rewarded with a hot dinner at Kibo hut before an early bed time to get ready for or summit day.
Accommodations: Kibo Hut
Distance: 21 km / 13 miles
Riding time: 8-12 hours
Elevation gained: 1200 m / 3900 ft, descent: 2,175 m / 7,135 ft SUMMIT DAY! We will wake up around midnight for our summit push. We have the option to hike with or without our bike up to Uhuru Peak. If you choose to take your bike, you can hire a summit porters to help you carry it. We will aim to reach Gilman’s Point (5,756 meters /18,885 ft) by dawn, the first of three official summit points of Mount Kilimanjaro. We will then follow the edge of the crater and stand at Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Kibo and the roof of Africa.
After taking pictures and enjoying the precious moment, we will start our descent down to Horombo hut. Below 5.000 m / 16,400 ft you can get on your bike as it is not as sandy anymore. Still you need to be very careful. Because you will need some energy to make it to the summit, we recommend leaving your bike at the hut or hiring an extra summit porter for that. From Kibo hut, where you will celebrate with our team and get a well-deserved hot lunch, we will be cycling down to Kilema gate.
Distance: 18 km / 11 miles
Riding time: 5-7 hours
Elevation of descent: 1880 m / 6050 ft
Today will be our victory lap! The whole ride will be an exhilarating descent 6000 ft downhill! We will ride all the way back down to the main gate to a prepared lunch. We will receive summit certificates and take our last photos with the team. We will then drive back to the hotel for some much earned rest.
Today marks the end of your unforgettable adventure. Enjoy your final moments in Tanzania before our driver transfers you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your journey home.
If you wish to extend your holiday, we can arrange an exciting safari in Tanzania’s national parks or a relaxing beach getaway in Zanzibar to complement your Kilimanjaro experience.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation
- Professional mountain Bike guides, cooks and porters
- Special Mountain bikes for biking Mt Kilimanjaro
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Portable toilets and toilet tents
- Hot Water For Washing Purposes
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
The Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Tip to the driver guide and hoteliers
- Insurance fees
- Cost of Visas.
- Bank transfer charges & card payment processing fee.
- Expenses belong to a personal nature e.g. Drinks not included on the meal plans, personal purchases, Laundry etc.
FAQs
Tanzania is very near to the equator. So the sun is always at its acme for most of the day. The sun can be fierce and cause sunburns and sunstroke. Wear a hat, shades, and use SPF sunblock lotion
We aim to keep the size of the public groups to a minimum, as we feel that a group that is much larger than ten trekkers is cumbersome and trekkers lose the sense that they are in a wilderness if there are too many people. That said, if you are a single, private group, then there is no problem accommodating you whatever the size of the group, as, of course, you will be aware before arriving in Tanzania of the number of people you will be trekking with.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.
The mountain is in Tanzania, East Africa, about 350km from the equator. The nearest towns are Moshi and Arusha.
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, celiac, lactose-free, or if you have any allergies, just give us a heads up and you will be catered to
You will need a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.
Yes, we do arrange this. Please send your request to Safari.
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.
Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp. Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.
Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!
Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.
On most routes, you’ll trek 4-7 hours most days. On certain routes you’ll trek as many as 10-15 hours on the longest days.
An overnight stop at Crater Camp is an optional extra on any customized Kilimanjaro climb , usually lasting eight actual mountain days or more on the Shira, Lemosho, Umbwe and Machame routes. Possibly the most bizarre place you will ever see, it is visited by less than 5% of the 40,000 to 50,000 people who annually ascent Kilimanjaro on a distinct highlands voyage in northern Tanzania
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take.
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.
