Tanzania · Scooty & Bike

5-Day Kilimanjaro Mountain Bike Adventure via Marangu to Uhuru Peak

5 Days Round trip from Moshi Challenging pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Ride the Kilema trail parallel to Kilimanjaro's Marangu Route
02 Cycle through dense rainforest with chances to spot primates en route to Mandara Hut
03 Take in views of the Kenyan interior from Maundi Crater
04 Pass the "Last Water Point" and cross the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi
05 Reach Gilman's Point at sunrise and continue to Uhuru Peak at 5895 m

Embark on a mountain biking adventure on Africa's highest mountain via the Marangu Route. Ride toward Mandara Hut through dense rainforest, visit Maundi Crater, continue to Kibo Hut, and pass Hans Meyer Cave on your summit push. The highlight of the trip is reaching Gilman's Point and Uhuru Peak for surreal high-altitude views before descending back to Marangu Gate and Moshi.

At sunrise, reach Gilman's Point (5681 m) - the crater rim of Kilimanjaro - where the sun will slowly start to warm the land.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Challenging

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Ride the Kilema Trail to Kilema Camp

Set off on the Kilema mountain bike trail, which runs parallel to the Marangu Route. The Kilema Route is mainly used as an access road by vehicles bringing supplies to Horombo Hut. From Kilema Gate to Horombo Hut, the route follows a 4 x 4 gravel road that is usually in fair condition.

The Kilema Route option with the first night at Kilema Camp is shorter, less strenuous, and involves more mountain biking than 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, while the remaining nights are spent in the Marangu Route's A-frame huts.

Day 02

Marangu Gate Ride Through Rainforest to Mandara Hut

After breakfast, get collected from your lodge and transfer to Marangu Gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, begin your ride. You will soon pass through dense rainforest, and alongside the impressive vegetation, you may catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to Mandara Hut.

After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to Maundi Crater, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Kenyan interior.

Distance covered: 8.3 km / 5.2 mi

Approx. time: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 03

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut Across the Saddle

This is a long and tough stage.

Set off on the well-built trail that passes the "Last Water Point," followed by the so-called "saddle." This near-vegetationless plateau joins the main summit of Kibo with Mawenzi. Reach Kibo Hut in about 5-6 hours.

Enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

Distance covered: 9.5 km / 5.9 mi

Approx. time: 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 04

Midnight Summit Push to Gilman's Point and Uhuru Peak

Begin the final ascent around midnight, which will be long and strenuous. Passing Hans Meyer Cave at 5220 m, the climb slowly but surely continues upward.

At sunrise, reach Gilman's Point (5681 m) - the crater rim of Kilimanjaro - where the sun will slowly start to warm the land. You will soon have forgotten the cold of the night, and after a further ride of 1-2 hours, reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 m.
On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you, followed by a 1-2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Distance covered: 22 km / 13.7 mi

Approx. time: 12-15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 05

Descend via Mandara Hut to Marangu Gate

Pass through the heath and moor zone to Mandara Hut (2700 m), where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass through the tropical rainforest. After a total of 6 hours, reach the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860 m).

Transfer to your hotel in Moshi after saying goodbye to your mountain guides. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success.

Distance covered: 20.8 km / 12.9 mi

Approx. time: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Where this trip takes you

Kilema mountain bike trail, Maundi Crater, Gilman's Point, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Moshi 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport and your accommodations in Moshi
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi
Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
Park entry fees
Camping fees
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue Fees
18% VAT on tour fees and services
4-season mountain tents
Double-layered sleeping mats
Friendly and professional Tanzanian mountain guides, cooks, and porters
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
Enough treated and 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) and the Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Government taxes
Portable oxygen tanks and an ox meter
Emergency first-aid kit

What's Not Included

Lunches, dinners, and drinks at your hotel before and after the climb
Travel insurance
Flights
Laundry (available at the hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters, and cook
- Guides: $20/day/guide
- Cook: $15/day
- Porter: $10/day/porter

Know before you go

Known as the "Coca-Cola" route, the Marangu Route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest and most well-established route. Many favour the Marangu Route because it is considered the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations.
The minimum number of days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu Route.
However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu Route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are made on the same path, and for that reason, it is the most crowded route. Marangu is favoured only during the rainy season, when hut accommodations are preferred.
Also referred to as the Coca-Cola route, this is the oldest and easiest route; hence, it is popular. Climbers also get access to sleeping huts in dormitory style.

A lot of the time, we will have to push the bikes. Riding them would theoretically be possible, but it would use far too much energy. We need to save most of this for summit day, when we will have a climb of 1200 m. 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 compulsory souvenir photo in store for you, as well as a nearly 5000 m descent. You are guaranteed to be talking about this for a long time afterwards.

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