Cycling at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Cycling at the foot of Mt.Kilimanjaro
This morning you’ll meet your guide and get kitted out with your mountain bike and helmet, which you can use for the next few days. Next, you’ll set off and cycle through the nearby villages of the Chagga, the local people who have been working the land here for many generations. Lush green landscapes surround you, with vast rice fields stretching through the rainforest. Breathe in the sweet scent of wildflowers while local children laugh and play around you. If it’s a clear day, you’ll get a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The route is fairly flat and after about three hours of cycling, you will reach your comfortable bungalow on one of the oldest sugar plantations in Tanzania. Time to relax by the pool or stretch your legs and take a walk in the lush surroundings. Enjoy a tasty dinner prepared by your hosts, before retiring to your tent for a well-earned rest.
If you’d like to get a taste for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro without committing to reaching the summit, we can also arrange a day hike to Mandara Hut. Read more below and speak to your travel specialist for more information.
Day 2 – Visiting local villages
After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll hop back on your mountain bike and head out on today’s adventure. You’ll be following the river, passing local villages and then crossing the river to cycle along the rice fields, taking in the breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. A little more challenging than yesterday, there are a few climbs on today’s route, however, they’re very manageable if you have a reasonable level of fitness, and your guide will be there to look after you. After around four hours of cycling, you’ll reach your accommodation for tonight, a coffee farm. There is a refreshing pool to cool off in, and you can enjoy views of the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro while eating a tasty dinner provided by your hosts.
Day 3 – Back to Moshi
Today is your last day on the bike, and we have saved the easiest cycling for your final day. After another delicious breakfast, have a quick dip in the pool and take in the last views of Kilimanjaro before heading back towards Moshi. The route is mainly downhill (everyone’s favourite!), so enjoy the ride as you pass small villages and make stops along the way, taking the day at your own pace before saying goodbye to your guide and arriving back in Moshi.
If you want to spend more time in the Kilimanjaro region, you could visit a nearby coffee plantation or learn about Tanzanian cuisine at a cooking class. The Big Five are also waiting for you in the various national parks in the north. For example, go on safari in the world-famous Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
1 day Kilimanjaro hike via the Marangu route
If you’d prefer to stay on your feet and get a taste for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, without committing to reaching the summit then we can arrange a hike along the Marangu Route. Along with an expert guide, you’ll walk through winding trails through lush rainforest, climbing steadily until you reach Mandara Hut at 2,740 metres. The hike takes around three hours each way, but you can walk at your own pace and take in the peaceful surroundings. You’ll enjoy a tasty, well-earned picnic lunch at the hut, before heading back down to trail.
