Kilimanjaro 6 Days Downhill Mountain Bike
Kilimanjaro 6 Days Downhill Mountain Bike
Price
Overview
The Kilema Mountain bike trail runs parallel with the Marangu route. The Kilema route is mainly used as an access road by vehicles to bring supplies to the Horombo hut and to evacuate medical emergencies from the Horombo hut. The route from Kilema gate to Horombo hut is a 4 x 4 gravel road, which is usually in fair condition.
Whether you reach the summit depends almost exclusively upon one factor: Your acclimatization. Our whole itinerary is geared towards one single day, that is to say, summit day.
There will be many occasions on which we will need to manually push the bikes. Riding them the entire way would theoretically be possible, but would use far too much energy. We need to save most of this for the day of the summit, and our climb of 1200m. There is more than enough time for this, as we will set off shortly after midnight. As a reward for reaching the summit, we have a complimentary souvenir photo in store for you as well as a nearly 5000m descent. You’re guaranteed to be talking about this for a long time afterward.
The Kilema route (with the first night at the Kilema camp) option is shorter, less strenuous, and involves more mountain biking, compared to the Kilema route option with the first night at Mandara hut. However, it is more expensive, as the first night is spent camping in tents and the rest of the nights are spent in the Marangu route’s A-frame huts.
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
| 2-4 pax | 5+ pax |
|---|---|
| US $5,750 | US $5,250 |
Included/Excluded
- 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 into Egypt
- 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
DAY 1: Arrival
Arrived in Tanzania and transferred to the Lodge
A Nature Horizons team member will be waiting for you at your arrival time. You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to your Lodge in Moshi town situated on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Today you will meet your tour guides, who will brief you about your upcoming tour and guide you through the bike fitting.
DAY 2: Kilema Gate (1950m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)
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 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 (1950m) to the Horombo hut (3705m) on a 4×4 track. Bikers with good fitness levels, mountain biking skills, and versatility will be able to cycle 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 3:00 pm. 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. Night temperatures can drop to freezing points at this camp, so it will be important to pack accordingly.
Kilema Gate (1950m) – Homboro 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 (2950m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)
After breakfast, make sure your duffel bag is packed and we cycle from the Kilema Camp to Horombo Hut. The trail is steep and has a lot of loose rocks in 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 a 1.5 hour acclimatization cycle up to Zebra rocks (4040m) and back. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Horombo hut.
Kilema Camp (2905m) – 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 4: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY: Cycle High and Sleep Low | Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kibo Hut (4730m) – Horombo Hut (3705m
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 challenging. You will once again be reminded to slow down and drink enough water! Upon arrival 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 descent to Horombo Hut is very technical and challenging, followed by dinner and overnight 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 9.6km down
Habitat: Alpine desert
DAY 5: Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)
We’ll wake early and make sure our duffel bags are packed and ready to go. After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide and we’ll head back up to Kibo Hut. Again the first 3km will require you pushing and carrying your bike a lot, with the final 7km to Kibo hut offering a better 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-built block house that 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 1195m farther 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 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: Kibo Hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)
You will rise around 22h00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going 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, and 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 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 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.
Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, enjoy a late breakfast and then pack your gear in 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 5.4km ascent and 31 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
DAY 7: Kibo Hut (4730m) – Kilema Gate (1950m)
You will embark on the world’s ultimate downhill mountain bike rollercoaster ride:
Starting at Kibo hut at 4730m you will descend to the Kilema gate 1950m – distance approximately 31km, descend approximately 3000m in only 3 hours!
Kilema Gate (1950m)
Cycling time: 3 hours
Distance: 25 km.
Riding Level: Challenging
Path: Gravel road
Highlights: Cycling on Mt Kilimanjaro
DAY 8: Departure
Wake up and prepare to board your flight home! Your guide will be with you up until we drop you off at the airport.
END TOUR
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Moshi (Before Hike)
Accommodation during hike
Mountain Hut
TREKKING PACKING LIST
Trekking Packing List
Head and Hands:
- Cap or hat to wear while walking in bright sun
- Wool or fleece cap or hat to keep your head warm
- Neck warmer to protect your throat from catching cold
- Uv protection sunglasses
- Warm wind and waterproof gloves
Upper body:
- Dri fit trekking shirts
- Thermals
- Warm trekking shirts
- Hiking hoodie
- Wind and waterproof jacket
- Down jacket
Lower body:
- Trekking pants
- Trekking shorts
- Thermals and inners
- Waterproof pants
- Trekking socks
- Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
- Slippers or sandals
- Gaiters
- Microspikes
Other items:
- Strong rucksack or large holdall to be carried by porters.
- Day rucksack to be carried personally.
- Plastic bags or stuff sacks to store/separate trekking gear inside your main bag.
- One or two-liter water bottle.
- Personal first aid kit to include essential items.
- Sleeping bag, 4 seasons.
- Torch, ideally head torch.
- Digital Camera and a spare battery and battery charger
- Toilet paper, quick dry towel,
- Toothbrush
- Large handkerchief/bandana for neck
Mountain biking:
- Waterproof/windproof jacket comfortable for riding.
- Long Thermal tops and bottoms for both riding and sleeping
- Fleece Jacket or Jumper
- Cycling Clothing – Long and short sleeve tops, full and half cycling shorts. Arm and leg warmers if you use them, thermal cap for under helmet
- Full Fingered gloves suitable for minus degrees’ temperatures, half fingered gloves
- Warm Hat (for off the bike)
- Buff or Bandana for face protection against dust
- Knee and Elbow Pads are highly recommended
- Helmets are COMPULSORY. We supply if you are hiring from us
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen
- Basic Toiletries, Chapstick, Moisturizer, Hand Sanitizer
- Wet wipes for those times it’s too cold to shower
- A Travel Towel
- Sleeping Bag (Rated 3 Season) Highly recommended from Oct to March. At a minimum a sleeping sheet will be good. Hotels give blankets but don’t always provide sheets. In peak seasons blankets can be limited. Can be hired in Kathmandu
- Socks (thick and thin)
- Cycling Shoes – We recommend mtb shoes with walking soles not stiff ones or any shoe you are comfortable to both pedal and walk in. There are some river crossings where you could possibly get wet feet, so bring some lighter fast drying shoes as there is nothing worse than riding with cold and wet feet! Or pack some flip flops in your day pack.
- Flip Flops or Sandals for around the Teahouses
- Hiking boots or walking shoes (For Throng La Only)
- Waterproof Pack Cover
- Day Pack for carrying personal belongings while riding
- Camelbak (2lt) or Water Bottles
- Head Torch
- Personal Medicines, rehydration salts
Bringing Your Own Bike
We recommend the following specifications: –
- Full Suspension 110mm to 160mm travel all mountain style bikes are ideal for this trip, but one that can climb.
- Tire recommendation is 2.2 to 2.3. Something like a MAXXIS High Roller or Schwalbe Nobby Nic or equivalent is ideal for this trip.
- Tubeless is recommended and we also recommend you bring a little extra Liquid.
- Hardtails are also okay for these trip’s if that is what you ride.
You should provide for your OWN BIKE
- Chain Links, Spare Chain
- Dry Chain Lube
- Mech Hanger or Drop Out for your model of bike
- Brake Pads for your Model
- Brake fluid for your Model of Brake
Do I need to have contingency days to book my flight back home?
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Are my children eligible for discounts?
I’m thinking about a group trip but I’m worried it will be all pro riders?
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Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Jennifer F2025-04-27Amazing Tanzanian Safari Nature Horizons planned an unforgettable Tanzanian safari for 20 guests on a yoga retreat. Beginning in the planning stages, Dominick was helpful, knowledgeable, and would go out of his way to ensure we had an amazing trip planned. He was on top of the details, such as collecting passport and travel info, and answered all of our questions. Because of NHT’s attention to detail? Our guests enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip. If we needed anything during our stay, Dominick was responsive and would get any problem resolved. Every detail was fine tuned, and several of the accommodations were beyond expectation. The guides he set us up would were funny, personable, and genuinely cared to make sure we had the best safari experience. I highly recommend the hot air balloon ride!If you are looking to plan a Tanzanian safari, FIBI! Look no further and reach out to Dominick for a life-changing vacation.Erin Y2025-04-23Magical restorative adventure! My yoga studio hosted an unforgettable trip to Tanzania, thanks to Nature Horizon Tours! Every detail was perfectly planned—from the beautiful accommodations to the incredible excursions and welcoming local guides. The trip created space for adventure, reflection, and connection, making it both inspiring and restorative. We came home with lasting memories, a deeper bond as a group, and new friendships that we truly treasure. This experience far exceeded our expectations, and we’re so grateful for the care and thought that went into every moment. We can’t wait to travel with this team again!Jen B2025-04-08Life-Changing Safari I am very grateful for Natures Horizons Tours for providing the trip of a lifetime. They ensured our safety, took care of all of our needs, and treated us with the best care and consideration even when some of us didn’t deserve it. This tour company is very PROFESSIONAL!! They know what they are doing and they do it very well. I would tour with them again in a heartbeat! The attached photo is completely untouched. This is how close they got us to the action! If we weren’t in the rover, this beautiful but very full, lioness was only feet away. We could see every beautiful detail of her.Nancy C2025-04-06Lasting memories My trip to Tanzania was amazing. Nature Horizons put together a fantastic itinerary. Our guides were knowledgeable, hard working, and friendly. They turned the Safari from a trip into an awesome and unforgettable experience.Getaway310895774142025-03-24A bucket list trip dreams are made of! Nature Horizons organized a trip for 20 people from our yoga community for a yoga and safari tour in Tanzania. Every detail was curated perfectly from the those greeting us at the airport to those touring us through the urban and cultural centers of Arusha all the way though an unforgettable experience in the Serengeti. Our 5 tour guides were friendly and fun and beyond knowledgeable and we got to see THE BIG 5!!! The locations they choose for our Safari camp and for our journey along the way were superb with perfect views for our yoga practice and the food was out of this world every place we went! We will for sure be traveling with Nature Horizons again, in fact we already have Egypt booked as our next destination!!! For world class bucket list travel these are your people. Rarely does one get the owner and CEO of a travel company hand selecting every detail of your trip and ensuring it goes off without a hiccup… this oversight and hand on help is unbeatable in the travel industry… trust me after a decade of taking yoga groups traveling, this is something you never see! Thanks Dominick and Team for a memorable bucket list trip and for taking superb care of us along the way!Shreya B2025-03-11Excellent customer care! We travel a lot and for the first time let Nature Horizons Tours plan our trip for us! It was an amazing experience as there was always someone to take care of us and our needs. Our daughter needed urgent care on the last day of the trip and we were helped all the way through! Better than 5*s!!!Mary D2025-02-11Fantastic Safari My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the safari that we took thru Nature Horizons Tours in Tanzania last month. It truly was a trip of a life time. We saw lots of animals and birds throughout Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. To see 20 elephants (including babies) casually stroll by us was an experience I will never forget. Another time, we saw two herds of zebras that must have totaled 20,000 zebras. WOW! Our guide, Praygod was great and we really enjoyed spending time with him. He was great at identifying animals and provided lots of the environmental, historical and cultural information. I recommend bringing a notebook to write down all the animals you will see.One advantage we had with Natures Horizon compared to other Safari companies is that there are only four people in a jeep during the safari (well, plus the driver). This was really nice being able to easily see animals on both sides of the jeep without stepping over people. We saw a lot of jeeps that had 6 people in them.Everyone associated with Nature Horizons Tours and the lodges we stayed at went out of their way to make our stay/experience fantastic. We learned that if there was something that we wanted, we just had to ask. At the Kilimanjaro Lux Camp, Grace personally made avocado toast for us each morning. In Zanzibar, we asked the driver where we could buy spices and he took us to a local outdoor market which I appreciated as I enjoy experiencing the local experience.It was a great trip and I would have no doubt that I would go on another tour led by Natures HorizonsTrail311312224182025-02-11Fantastic Photo Safari I traveled with Nature Horizons to Tanzania in 2024. I am writing this review as a Travel Agent. My clients just returned from their safari with Nature Horizons. From the time they booked, Dominick was in close contact with both me and my clients. He made sure that all of our questions or concerns were handled very quickly. He took the time to do zoom calls with me and my clients more than once to make sure that they were comfortable with everything to do with the trip. While there were a couple of things lost in translation with his team in Tanzania, they were minor and were dealt with immediately. The driver/guide is the absolute best. The lodging, while not close to town, was all very nice with fabulous food. The balloon ride is not to be missed! One of the things that I appreciate the most is that Dominick will not take more than 4 people in a vehicle, even though more can fit. He wants every passenger to have the best view, no matter which side of the vehicle has the views of the wildlife. I am very happy with Dominick and his team at Nature Horizons and would not hesitate to use them again for myself and my clients!Geri M2025-02-10Tanzania and Serengeti Safari Phenomenal experience! Once in a lifetime trip! The guide was top of the line! I would suggest this trip to everyone! We added on Zanzibar and that was beautiful as wellByrd B2025-01-14The BEST Partner for a Travel Agency!! Nature Horizons has been an amazing partner for us. I own a travel agency that does $13MM in revenue and when it comes to unique, off the beaten path, this partner always delivers exactly what my clients are looking for. The support is impressive and the work has love poured into every detail. You cannot go wrong with this company!
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