Kilimanjaro Classic

Day one starts in the hills near Arusha, you descend to the savannah plain south of Kilimanjaro airport in the Tanzanite mining area and the tour takes you to the beautiful oasis of Kikuletwa hotsprings after 65 km You see the difference between the fertile, rainy hillsides and the dry lowland area, the characteristic Baobab trees and the mud wall houses. After relaxing and maybe swimming for a while in the oasis you enter upon the last 17km of your first stage, a ride to Boma Ng'ombe, a quite busy town on the main road from Arusha to Moshi. Total distance 83 km ascent 437 m, descent 711 m.

Day 2 consists of two parts. A quite easy first part of only 44 km, but still a 500 m ascent to the savannah house. You may follow a good tarmac road to Sanya town, or take the more challenging route off road. The tarmac road is not very busy, but vigilance is called for as traffic in Tanzania is not yet accustomed to bikers. The road to Sanya offers lovely views of the lush foothill of the mountain. In Sanya a short break is taken to prepare for the last ascent towards a barren plain before you descend slightly on a gravel road to the savannah house in Miti Mirefu, in a Masai area. As the house is situated at the edge of a vast wildlife area you, after a short break, take on the second part of the trip: a 25-30 km bicycle safari into the backwoods hoping to spot some wildlife like zebras, giraffes, impalas, maybe elephants. You may decide to stay for another day to experience life far from any luxury, with the Masai as your neighbours, sensing the temperature, silence or noise, colours and smells of the savannah. Or pay a visit to a Masai Boma, and listen to the sound of cattle returning.

This is the most challenging stage of the tour: 85 km, 1600 m ascent. 40 of the 85 km consists of a gravel/clay road. Most of the time you are at an altitude of 1500 to 1600 m. When lucky you will see some game in the fields near the road or Baboons or Colobus monkeys in the rain forest half way the stage, enjoy the singing of the birds or the deep silence of the forest. Magnificent view across the plains of Amboseli Game park at the foot of the mountain in Kenya. Once you leave the dirt road and reach the tarmac road the final 30 km begin. You often encounter some drizzling rain when getting higher as temperature falls. The road leads you through a pine tree forest. You might be lucky to a have a stunning glimpse of Kibo, the snow cap of Mt.Kilimanjaro. After a final very steep kilometre of dirt road you reach Snow Cap Cottages, where the fire is burning in the fireplace to warm you.

Day 4, 70 km in total, all tarmac road, except for the last 2,5km track. The first 10 km show a rather steep descent, then the road undulates through a quite densely populated area with a lot of economic activity of the Chaga tribe. You pass many small villages, unlike the day before. The Chaga are coffee farmers and tradesmen, bananas are their essential staple crops. You are invited to stay in a local homestead (max 5 people) to experience local life. Instead, you may opt for one of the luxury hotels in the vicinity of Marangu. Here as well you may decide to stay another day to learn about the coffee and banana culture - more than 10 different species of bananas - or visit nearby water falls, the Chaga caves where people used to hide during fights/wars against the Masai. You may even taste the banana beer.

Day 5, 66 km via Moshi to Liwati, West Kili. After a short descent back to the main road you start a challenging 10 km climb to the borders of the natural park and the rainforest. A track leads you through the forest. An even more challenging descent on a steep rough road brings you to Moshi town where you can enjoy a delicious coffee at the Kilimanjaro Coffee Union Café. The road continues north of the main road from Moshi – Arusha to Kwasadala where you head north to Liwati.

Day 6, 67 km from West Kili to Arusha. The road goes through the highlands of West Kilimanjaro to Kingori, passing several lakes and small rivers. From Kingori onwards you follow the border of the natural forest of Mt Arusha, climbing steadily till 1370 m. After a descent on a rough road you reach the tarmac main road to Arusha. You enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before you head for Arusha, the last 35 km back to Themi View where you are welcomed with a special dinner.