Kilimanjaro Cycling Kilema Marangu Route 5 Days

Cycling On Mount Kilimanjaro Highlights

Signature Safari Bike trek is our new product of trekking the Kilimanjaro Mountain, Kilema route is the only route that Bike trek to Kilimanjaro Mountain can reach to the top of the Mount Kilimanjaro by mountain bike. With our experienced guides the whole trip to summit Mt Kilimanjaro 5895M, took 5 to 6 days with right acclimatization.

This activity provides physical exercise and recreational use of the natural environment with minimum impact while enhancing visitors’ experience. Summit bound visitors will use Kilema route (19km) and cyclists will meet their porters at Horombo and continue to the summit. For non-summit bound visitors, Cycling On Mount Kilimanjaro starts from Londorosi gate or from Moramu Picnic Site then back to Moramu (44km ride)

Route Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival : Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to Arusha town  .He will take you to the Tulia hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure. You might want to explore the town of Arusha (taxi required) or just relax at the lodge. In the evening you will be briefed by our team on site in preparation of the upcoming trekking tour. You will spend the night will do this briefing depend on your arrive time accommodation will be at . https://www.tuliahotelandspa.com/

Accommodation:Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa

Day 2: Kilema Gate – Horombo hut

Meet your guide and embark on your transfer to the Marangu gate, which takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are required to register at the Park office. After signing-in and registering at the Marangu gate, we drive to the Kilema gate.

Upon arrival you will ensure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) and do a final check on your mountain bike. You will then start the first route section of 16km, (with your guide also on a mountain bike) from the Kilema gate (1 950m) to the Horombo hut (3 705m) on a 4×4 track. Bikers with good fitness levels, mountain biking skills and subject to road conditions, will be able to cycle all the way to Horombo hut.

It is important to remember that the biggest cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high too quickly. We will be stopping regularly and to give your body the maximum time to adjust to the higher altitudes. We will aim to reach Horombo hut at around 15:00pm.

We will stop at Horombo Hut for a short break, before commencing on a downhill cycle to Kilema camp. Descending approximately 800m over 7km, the track has a lot of loose rocks and it is important to control your speed and avoid unnecessary risks!

Upon arrival your porters will have your tent set up at camp and in the evening bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent. The cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night rest after tireness Cycling On Mount Kilimanjaro . Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this camp.

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 3: Kilema camp – Horombo hut

After breakfast, make sure your duffel bag are packed and we cycle from the Kilema camp to Horombo hut. The trail is steep and has a lots of loose rocks at certain areas. Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here.

We arrive in time for a late lunch at Horombo hut. After lunch collect our bikes and go for an 1,5 hour acclimatization cycle up to Zebra rocks (4 040m) and back.

Enjoy dinner and overnight 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 (4 040m) – Horombo hut
Cycling time: 1 hour up and 20 minutes down
Distance: Approximately 2 km up and 2 km down
Habitat: Moorland

Day 4: Horombo hut – Kibo hut – Horombo hut

After an early breakfast, meet your guide and start your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. The first 3 km of the trail is very rocky and cycling will be very difficult as this section is very stony and eroded. You will be forced to push and carry your bike for some sections, but after about 3km the trail improves and cycling will once again be possible.

The “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo) is relatively flat and cycling is much easier. However high altitudes, low oxygen levels and cold conditions make the 7km section towards Kibo hut strenuous and challenging.

The final km before reaching Kibo hut is especially strenuous. You will once again be reminded to slow down and drink enough water! Upon arrival to at Kibo hut lunch will be served.

After lunch we will embark on an awesome Kilimanjaro Mtb downhill, descending nearly 800m over 7km. The final 3km descend down to Horombo hut is very technical and challenging.

Dinner and overnight at Horombo hut.

(Acclimatisation day – cycle high and sleep low)

Horombo hut (3 705m) – Kibo hut (4 730m) – Horombo hut (3 705m)
Cycling time: 4 to 5 hours up and 1 hour down
Distance: 9.6 km up and 9.6km down
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 5: Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)

Early wake and make sure your duffel bags are packed and ready to go. After breakfast, meet your guide and we head back up to Kibo hut. Again the first 3km would require you pushing and carrying your bike a lot, with the final 7km to Kibo hut offering a good biking trail.

We will enjoy lunch and then aim to rest. At around 16h00 depending on how you feel it is possible to hike partially up the summit path to orientate yourself for the summit attempt later that night.

Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. There are platform toilets behind the hut.

The summit (Uhuru Peak) is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, thermal clothing etc for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.

Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible, until 22h00.

Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
Cycling time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 9.6 km
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 6: The summit night

You will rise around 22h00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. The section just before Gillman’s point known as “Jamaica rocks” is very steep with a lot of stone scree, boulders requiring a great physical and mental effort.

From Horombo hut up to Gillmans point the trail cannot be cycled and you will have to push your bike (Cycling On Mount Kilimanjaro )up to the Jamaica rocks, however from Jamaica rocks to Gillmans point, you will have to carry your bike (or if you are not up to it – arrange for a porter to carry your bike). With oxygen levels close to 9.5%, this is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. You will be doing the Kilimanjaro shuffle and move very slowly.

From Gillman’s Point the trail can be cycled again and you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Depending on snowfall, mountain bikers with high fitness levels and expert technical mountain biking skills, will be able to cycle most of the trail from Gillman’s Point to Uhuru peak.

Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut.

Again, mountain bikers with expert technical cycling skills, should be able to cycle from Uhuru peak to Gillmans’ point. 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.

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 5.4km ascent and 31 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Kibo hut (4730m) – Kilema gate (1950m)
Cycling time: 
3 hours
Distance: 25 km

You will then embarked on the world’s ultimate downhill mountain bike rollercoaster ride:

Starting at Kibo hut at 4730m you will descend down to the Kilema gate 1 950m – distance approximately 31km, descend approximately 3 000m in only 3 hours!Accommodation will be at . https://www.tuliahotelandspa.com/

Accommodation:Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa

Day 7: Departure Day

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

End of Our Cycling On Mount Kilimanjaro Tour.

*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Price on Cycling On Mount Kilimanjaro Includes & Excludes

Included in price package

• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Crater fees
• Camping fees
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (TLTO And TATO)
• Government taxes
• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
• Emergency first-aid kitPortable flush toilet from Group of 4 if your less than 4 you will pay extra 95$

Not Included
– Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
– Travel insurance
–– Flights
– Laundry (Available at hotel)
– Personal items and toiletries
– Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php

Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group ( per climber):
• Guides ,Cook and Potters – From 270 $  per climber per trip

Thanks for choosing Signature Safari as your Adventure Experts in Africa.

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