Today we transfer to the Kidia gate on the slopes of Kilimanjaro at 1500m.  Here we assemble our mountain bikes and cycle along the slopes to Marangu, the major base for Kilimanjaro climbs. After lunch at the Kilimanjaro Resort we continue our ride downhill to the Lake Challa Safari Lodge (900m) for dinner and overnight. In the late afternoon we can descend on foot the steep crater walls to the lake shore where fishermen display their catch.

Accommodation: Lake Challa Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: D, B

A 40 km ride uphill along the Kenyan / Tanzanian Border takes us to Maktau Mountain Lodge at 1200m.  On the way we stop for a break to unpack our lunchboxes and marvel at the Tsavo plains below us.  After arrival in the early afternoon we can opt to visit a Chagga homestead to learn more about the life of this farming community.

Accommodation: Maktau Mountain Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Today’s 60 km ride is a little bit strenuous.  We have to climb almost 1000m to Rongai, a forestry area dating back to the German colonial era. At the busy border town of Tarakea we stop for lunch before continuing with a further 400m uphill to Nalemoru, the base for Kilimanjaro climbs from the northern side. At the Snow Cap Cottages, we enjoy the lush Garden and spent the night.

Accommodation: Snow Cap Cottages

Meal Plan: B L D

After breakfast we are in our saddles again and ride mostly downhill for 90 km ride to Olpopongi, a cultural village Maasai Village on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. All along we can enjoy magnificent views of the northern icefields and the western breach of Kilimanjaro and soon Mt. Meru joining the scenery shortly after the Village of Kamwanga.  In the later we arrive at the Cultural Village and are welcomed by song and dance of the Maasais.  The night we spent in the traditional houses of the Village.

Accommodation: Olpopongi

Meal Plan: B L D

After a leisurely taken breakfast we cycle a short distance through large scale farms to the small town of Sanya Juu.  Here we arrive for lunch and can use the afternoon to look at the colorful market or ascend the nearby Oldonyo Murwak, a world heritage site which the Maasai Community uses for age coming ceremonies.

Accommodation: House of West Kilimanjaro

Meal Plan: B L D

Today, we cycle in an altitude between 1200 and 1500m along the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. We cross several ridges and rivers created by the ancient lava flows when Kibo was still an active volcano.  The area is very fertile, and the Chagga population in the area does intensive small scale cultivations.  We virtually cycle through banana forests intercropped with coffee and vegetables. At several homesteads we find people brewing “ Mbege “ the local banana beer used for celebrations and social functions. Due to several steep climbs and drops along the route the day is a little strenuous but we only need to cover about 35 km.  In the early afternoon we arrive at the Aishi Hotel for a well- deserved rest, dinner and overnight in preparation for the ultimate Kilimanjaro Challenge.

Accommodation: Aishi Hotel

Meal Plan: B L D

We will be picked up at Hotel at 7:30 am and drive through Kilimanjaro’s semi-tropical foothills to Marangu Gate for registration and on to Kilema gate at 2000m. An uphill ride for 19 km takes us to Horombo Hut at 3720 m. Our crew has prepared for us a delicious dinner before we retire to our bunk beds in dormitories of the mountain hut.

Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Meal Plan:  B L D