Kilimanjaro Cycling Tour

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Is This Trip for Me?

Yes ! This tour is designed for anyone, you can book this tours as solo traveler, couple & also Expedition Heroes offers this tour to small & large groups who are willing to travel together. Do not hesitate to contact us and our specialist will be ready to help you plan your holiday to Africa.

OVERVIEW

Overview

Kilimanjaro Bike Summit Experience via Kilema Route – Overview

The Kilema Mountain bike trail on Kilimanjaro, runs parallel to the Marangu route. This trail primarily serves as an access road for vehicles delivering supplies to Horombo Hut and handling medical evacuations from the same location. The route from Kilema Gate to Horombo Hut is a 4×4 gravel road, typically in fair condition.

Your success in reaching the summit largely depends on one crucial factor: acclimatization. Our entire itinerary is designed with the summit day in mind.

There will be several instances where we’ll need to manually push the bikes, as riding the entire way would consume too much energy. It’s essential to conserve most of our energy for summit day, which involves a 1200m climb. We’ll begin this ascent shortly after midnight, ensuring ample time to reach the top. To celebrate reaching the summit, we offer a complimentary souvenir photo and a thrilling nearly 5000m descent. This experience is sure to be a lasting memory.

Opting for the Kilema route with the first night at Kilema Camp is shorter, less strenuous, and involves more mountain biking compared to the option of spending the first night at Mandara Hut. However, this option is more expensive, as it includes a night of tent camping, with the remaining nights spent in the A-frame huts along the Marangu route.

Tour Map

ITINERARY

FULL ITINERARY

Day 0: ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA

Upon your arrival in Tanzania, a member of the Expedition Heroes team will be there to greet you. You'll be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to your lodge in Moshi town, located at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Later today, you'll meet your tour guides, who will provide a briefing on your upcoming adventure and assist with your bike fitting.

DAY 1: KILEMA GATE (1950m) – HOROMBO HUT (3705m)

Meet your guide and begin your transfer to the Marangu Gate, a journey of about 45 minutes that passes through the village of Marangu on the lower slopes of the mountain. Upon arrival at the park gate, all hikers must register at the Park office. After signing in at Marangu Gate, we'll drive to Kilema Gate. Upon arrival at Kilema Gate, you'll check that you have all your daypack essentials, including drinking water, your lunch pack, and extra clothing. You'll also perform a final check on your mountain bike. You'll then begin the first leg of your journey, a 16km route from Kilema Gate (1950m) to Horombo Hut (3705m) on a 4x4 track, with your guide also on a mountain bike. Cyclists with good fitness levels, mountain biking skills, and versatility will be able to ride to Horombo Hut. It's important to remember that the main cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high, too quickly. We'll be stopping regularly to give your body ample time to adjust to the higher altitudes. Our goal is to reach Horombo Hut around 3:00 pm. After a short break at Horombo Hut, we'll begin a downhill cycle to Kilema Camp. Descending approximately 800m over 7km, the track is scattered with loose rocks, so controlling your speed and avoiding unnecessary risks is crucial. Upon arrival at Kilema Camp, your porters will have your tent set up, and in the evening, they’ll bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent. Dinner will be prepared by the cook, and afterward, you can retire to your tent for the night. Be prepared for night temperatures that can drop to freezing at this camp, so pack accordingly. Kilema Gate (1950m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)

Cycling time: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 16 km
Habitat: Montane forest

Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kilema Camp (2950m)

Cycling time: 30 minutes
Distance: Approximately 7 km
Habitat: Moorland

DAY 2: KILEMA CAMP (2950m) – HOROMBO HUT (3705m)

After breakfast, ensure your duffel bag is packed before we set off on the ride from Kilema Camp to Horombo Hut. The trail is steep and scattered with loose rocks in some sections. Horombo Hut is a collection of huts situated on a small plateau, accommodating up to 120 climbers. The area is usually lively with hikers, guides, and porters, creating an atmosphere filled with adventure and excitement. You'll encounter both ascending and descending hikers here. We’ll arrive in time for a late lunch at Horombo Hut. After lunch, we'll grab our bikes and head out for a 1.5-hour acclimatization ride up to Zebra Rocks (4040m) and back. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo Hut. Kilema Camp (2950m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)

Cycling time: 2 to 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 7 km
Habitat: Moorland

Horombo Hut (3705m) – Zebra Rocks (4040m) – Horombo Hut

Cycling time: 1 hour up and 20 minutes down
Distance: Approximately 2 km up and 2 km down
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY: Cycle High and Sleep Low | Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kibo Hut (4730m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)

After an early breakfast, meet your guide and begin your ascent into the alpine desert. The first 3 km of the trail is very rocky, making cycling difficult due to the stony and eroded terrain. You’ll need to push or carry your bike through some sections, but after about 3 km, the trail improves, allowing you to cycle again. The "Saddle," the area between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo, is relatively flat, making cycling easier. However, the high altitude, low oxygen levels, and cold conditions make the 7 km stretch towards Kibo Hut strenuous and challenging. The final kilometer before reaching Kibo Hut is particularly tough, so you'll be reminded to slow down and stay hydrated. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, lunch will be served. After lunch, we’ll embark on an exhilarating Kilimanjaro MTB descent, dropping nearly 800m over 7 km. The final 3 km descent to Horombo Hut is technical and demanding, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo Hut. Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kibo Hut (4730m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)

Cycling time: 4 to 5 hours up and 1 hour down
Distance: 9.6 km up and 9.6 km down
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 4: HOROMBO HUT (3705m) – KIBO HUT (4730m)

We’ll start the day early by ensuring our duffel bags are packed and ready. After breakfast, you'll meet your guide, and we’ll set off again for Kibo Hut. The first 3 km of the trail will once again require you to push and carry your bike frequently, but the final 7 km to Kibo Hut offers a more suitable biking trail. After arriving at Kibo Hut, we'll have lunch and then focus on resting. Depending on how you’re feeling, there will be an option around 16:00 to hike partway up the summit path to familiarize yourself with the route for the summit attempt later that night. Kibo Hut, located in the barren alpine desert, is a stone-built blockhouse with bunk beds for 60 climbers, but there are no water streams nearby. Platform toilets are available behind the hut. The summit, Uhuru Peak, is now just 1,195m above, and you’ll make your final ascent later that night. Prepare your gear and thermal clothing for the summit bid, including replacing the batteries in your headlamp and camera and ensuring you have a spare set. To prevent your water from freezing, it’s wise to carry it in a thermal flask. Try to get as much rest and sleep as possible, going to bed around 19:00 and waking up at 22:00 for the summit attempt. Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)

Cycling time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 9.6 km
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 5: THE SUMMIT NIGHT: Kibo Hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)

You'll wake around 22:00, and after some tea and biscuits, you’ll head out into the night for the toughest part of the journey. The first section of the trail is a rocky path leading to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which is a good spot to rest. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim. The stretch just before Gillman’s Point, known as “Jamaica Rocks,” is very steep with lots of stones and boulders, demanding significant physical and mental effort. From Horombo Hut to Gillman’s Point, cycling is not possible, and you'll need to push your bike up to Jamaica Rocks. From there to Gillman’s Point, you’ll have to carry your bike, or you can arrange for a porter to carry it if needed. With oxygen levels dropping to around 9.5%, this is likely the most challenging part of the entire climb. You’ll be moving very slowly, doing the Kilimanjaro shuffle. Once you reach Gillman’s Point, cycling becomes possible again, and you'll typically encounter snow up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Depending on snowfall, mountain bikers with high fitness levels and advanced technical skills should be able to cycle most of the trail from Gillman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. Reaching the summit brings a sense of total exhilaration and satisfaction—you’ve made it. The time you spend at the summit taking photos will depend on the weather conditions, before you begin the 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut. Expert mountain bikers should be able to cycle from Uhuru Peak to Gillman’s Point. However, it is impossible to ride the first section from Gillman’s Point down to Kibo Hut; cycling will only be possible for the final 1 to 2 km before reaching Kibo Hut. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, enjoy a late breakfast and pack your gear into your duffel bag for the porter to carry down. Kibo Hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)

Cycling time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 3 to 4 hours to descend to Kibo Hut
Distance: Approximately 5.4 km ascent and 31 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 6: KIBO HUT (4730m) – KILEMA GATE (1950m)

Get ready for the world’s ultimate downhill mountain biking experience! Starting at Kibo Hut at 4730m, you’ll descend to Kilema Gate at 1950m—a thrilling 31 km ride that drops approximately 3000m in just 3 hours! Kilema Gate (1950m)

Cycling time: 3 hours
Distance: 25 km
Riding Level: Challenging
Path: Gravel road
Highlights: Cycling on Mt. Kilimanjaro

INCLUDES

INCLUDE / EXCLUDE

Two nights accommodation Hotel in Moshi ( before and after the climb) including
Breakfast and Dinner.
Mountain Bike and Mountain Guide
Arrival and Departure transfers from the airport
Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents (or hut fees for Marangu route)
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
All Park fees & Rescue Fees
All meals on the Mountain (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Boiled water on the mountain
Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain

International flights (from/o home)
Entry visa to Tanzania
Imported/premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Laundry (Available at the hotel)
Personal Items (souvenirs, travel insurance, Visa fees, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cook
Activities/day excursions not specified in itinerary

GALLERY

TOUR GALLERY

ESSENTIAL INFO

ABOUT VISA

Passport and Visas for Tanzania can be obtained via Online Visa Application before arrival or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport. All travelers will need a passport which will remain valid for at least 6 months longer than your expected visit. You will also need to present proof that you have a return ticket, and proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay in Tanzania. Each traveler is responsible for sorting out their own passport and visa requirements, and we cannot offer much assistance in this matter. If you do not yet have a passport, apply for one early, as they can take some time to arrive. If you already have a passport, double check when it expires.

While Tanzania is a commonwealth country, UK citizens definitely do need a tourist visa to enter. This is also true for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, India, United States, Canada and most EU countries. Citizens of countries not mentioned should contact their nearest embassy or high commission to check visa requirements. Visas usually cost in the neighborhood of $50 (around £40), but some visas from the US can cost $100. Tanzanian visas expire three months after they are issued so be careful not to apply too soon.

Visas can be purchased upon arrival at Kilimanjaro international Airport (IATA code: JRO), but you can expect long queues, and for the process to take an extra hour or more. The Tanzanian High Commission has stressed that they have the right to deny visas applied for on arrival. We have never had a report of this happening, but it is a danger best avoided.

For these reasons, we highly recommend that travelers get their visa in advance if at all possible. On the other hand, many US travelers prefer to avoid risking their passports in the mail, and other potential delays, by applying upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

It is also now possible to apply for your Tanzania visa online https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/. Please read the Visa Application Guidelines carefully before beginning your application to ensure you apply for the correct type of visa, and that you are planning on entering Tanzania through one of the approved entry points.

Where to obtain a Tanzanian visa

In Dar es Salaam: The Office of the Director of Immigration Services
In Zanzibar: The Office of the Principal Immigration Officer
Abroad: Any Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission or via the Tanzania Immigration Services website
Entry points to Tanzania: Any gazette entry point, including international airports, Zanzibar Airport, the port of Kigoma, Horohoro, Sirari, Tunduma, and Nagama

Please be advised that, whilst we make every effort to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, travel requirements can change quickly and sometimes without notice. We urge you to double check the visa and passport requirements for your trip, consult with an embassy or consulate.

REQUEST THIS TOUR

DEPARTURE DATES

The departure dates for all our African safaris and trekking packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed info, as well as information on photographic safaris and Kilimanjaro trekking packages.