Today we assemble our bicycles and cycle along the slopes of Kilimanjaro to a Maasai Village. The 50 km route begins with a 400m uphill and ends with a 300m downhill ride through the wheat fields in the area. All along we can enjoy a magnificent view of the narrow glacier and the western breach of Kilimanjaro. After a visit to the Maasai Village and its Museum we have another challenging 20km uphill to Simba farm.  We arrive at the farm in the late afternoon just in time for a shower, dinner and overnight.

Distance: 86 km    900 up, 300 down

Accommodation: Simba Farm

Meal Plan: B L D

Today we continue our trip around Kilimanjaro.  A 75 km ride takes us to the northern side of the mountain with good views over the Amboseli basin in Kenya and the northern ice fields above us. The ride today is strenuous. We have to climb more than 1000m and with only short downhill stretches of in total 850m. At Kamwanga, where Ilkisongo Maasai from Kenya meet their counterparts from Tanzania to exchange their livestock, we stop for a rest and lunch before proceeding for another 20km to the Snow Cap Cottages at 2050m.

Distance: 75 km,   Up 1100m, down 850m

Accommodation: Snow Cap Cottages

Meal Plan: B L D

After breakfast, we continue our circumnavigation of the majestic mountain dominating the area.  Today we have a fairly easy ride.  The 50 km ahead of us are mostly downhill.   Our destination for today is the Maktau Mountain lodge at the border to Kenya at 1300m.  The route takes us through the forest plantation on the mountain slopes dating back to the German colonial time in Rombo district – the land of the agricultural community – the Chagga people.  The cypress and pine forest gives way to small scale coffee and banana plantations. The 30km distance is mostly downhill (750m). We arrive for lunch at the Maktau Mountain Lodge and we can choose to spend the afternoon at the swimming pool or visit a Chagga farm nearby.

Distance:   30 km   down 750m

Accommodation: Maktau Mountain Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Another easy downhill ride with short gentle uphill sections along the Kenyan Tanzanian Border take us to Lake Challa, a scenic crater lake on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. We arrive again for lunch and can use the afternoon to descend the steep Crater Lake wall to the banks of the lake where we can meet the fishermen displaying their catch. Lake Challa with a depth of 95m is one of the deepest lakes in Africa. The adventurous amongst us can take a canoe ride. Swimming in the lake is not allowed as some crocodiles were introduced in the early 1930s.  Dinner and Overnight will be at the lodge.

Distance:   45 Km    up 200m   down 450m

Accommodation: Lake Challa Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Today is getting a bit tougher as we ride along the rugged southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. After a 25km mostly uphill section we arrive at Marangu, the main climbing base for Kilimanjaro and the Kilimanjaro Park headquarters.  We stop here for lunch and continue for another 20 km with up and down sections totaling to 600m to Kidia Village.  We end the day with a 15km downhill ride to Moshi where we spend the night at the Sal Salinero Hotel.

Distance: 62km   Up 1200m down,  1200m

Accommodation: Sal Salinero

Meal Plan: B L D

Today is the last day of our cycle tour round Kilimanjaro.  Our destination is Aishi Hotel at 1200m. A 20km and 700m uphill section takes us to Umbwe Gate where we stop for lunch before we enjoy our final 600m downhill stretch to Aishi Hotel at 1200m. Here we have completed our Kilimanjaro circumnavigation.  We pack our bicycle and enjoy our dinner and overnight in a quiet and serene environment.

Distance: 35km, 800m up, 550m down

Accommodation: Country Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Depending on our flight we can opt for lunch and a dayroom at the hotel before we’re transferred to the airport for departure.

Meal plan:  B