Mountain Bike Trips to Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania and find a shuttle waiting for you at the airport. We will transfer to our hotel, meet our guide and go on a short tour of the city.

• Accommodations: Hotel

Day 2

Today, we work on beating the jet lag while doing a coffee tour on bikes. We start with a ride through coffee and banana plantations, two trees that are always cultivated together because the coffee plant needs shade. After that, we will observe and participate in the entire process of making coffee from seed to cup. At the end we will be rewarded with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. We will also have the opportunity to hike to a waterfall and tour the local area. A perfect way to start our trip!

• Accommodations: Hotel

Day 3

This 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 Colobos 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. 

• Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
• Riding time: 4 hours
• Elevation gained: 1,150 m / 3,773 ft
• Accommodations: camping

Day 4

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: 8 km / 5 miles
• Riding time: 4 hours
• Elevation gained: 620 m / 2,030 ft
• Accommodations: mountain hut

Day 5

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.

• Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
• Riding time: 2-3 hours
• Elevation gained: 280 m / 920 ft (up and down)
• Accommodations: mountain hut

Day 6

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. 

• Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
• Riding time: 6-7 hours
• Elevation gained: 1000 m / 3200 ft 
• Accommodations: mountain hut

Day 7

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 to leave your bike at the hut or to hire an extra summit porter for that. From Kibu hut, where you will celebrate with our team and get a well deserved hot lunch, we will be cycling down to Horombo hut.

• Distance: 21 km / 13 miles
• Riding time: 8-12 hours
• Elevation gained: 1200 m / 3900 ft, descent: 2,175 m / 7,135 ft
• Accommodations: mountain hut

Day 8

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.  

• Distance: 18 km / 11 miles
• Riding time: 5-7 hours
• Elevation of descent: 1880 m / 6050 ft
• Accommodations: Hotel

Day 9

We will enjoy a slower morning, followed by a jeep safari in Tarangire National Park. We will likely see zebra, elephant, Maasai giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo and, many beautiful bird species. We also have the chance to see predators such as lions, and with a bit of luck even cheetah and leopard. The national park is famous for its unrivaled landscapes of open plains with an abundance of fascinating ancient baobab trees and magnificent views of rolling savannah and acacia forests. The park is known as the home of the elephant as it has the highest density of elephants in the country, offering unique opportunities to see elephant families interacting.

Accommodations: Hotel

Day 10

Today, we will say our “see you laters” as we depart Tanzania. We will transport you to the airport to catch your flight home.

*Itinerary is subject to change.