10-Day Cycling Tour from Moshi to Zanzibar via Usambara and Nungwi

• Lake Chala is a hidden gem and a perfect place to relax and unwind from busy city life. This remote caldera lake on the border of Tanzania and Kenya is only 55 km from Moshi and is therefore the perfect getaway for a day. Pure tranquillity and beautiful nature await you at the lake. Explore the area on one of the many possible hikes, swim in the crystal-clear water, kayak across borders, or enjoy the stunning vistas of untouched Africa. In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your accommodation. You will ride your bicycle to Lake Chala Safari Camp with a packed lunch box and drinking water. Upon arrival, you will see the beautiful private game reserve overlooking the crater lake. Our guide will take you down to the lake.
• Spend the day swimming, exploring, and kayaking (optional). You will experience the natural beauty of the green scenery and landscape and have the opportunity to meet local people doing their daily activities. There is a very high possibility of spotting baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and many different birds that live in this wonderful savannah land. Overnight at a campsite. There is a bar that serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and a restaurant that serves snacks and main meals.

• Immerse yourself in the history of Marangu and its people. Marangu, on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, is a small town with great history and ancient traditions. Get carried away by the Chagga tribe, the unique rainforest landscape, and the world of coffee growing. This tour has it all: action, tradition, and culinary experiences.
• In the morning, we ride our bicycles to Marangu Gate (1900 m), the starting point for all Kilimanjaro treks via the Marangu Route. You will have the opportunity to take pictures of mighty Kilimanjaro and get a sense of the spirit of the mountain. The area around Marangu is home to the local Chagga tribe, and you will learn all about their history and traditions on this full-day excursion. Our second stop will be a small coffee farm, where you will learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed locally. Try processing, roasting, and preparing a fresh cup of coffee. Once you have finished enjoying your coffee break, we will depart for the Ndoro Waterfalls.
• Our hike to the base of the waterfall will lead us through a lush green landscape, and the descent will take approximately 1 hour. Here, you can relax and take a refreshing bath in the waterfall pool. Another highlight will be visiting the Chagga Underground Caves and the Chagga Live Museum. In times of drought, the Maasai migrated up the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro in search of food and water. They enslaved and killed the local Chagga people. In defence against these attacks, the Chagga built an extensive network of underground caves. Your guide will vividly illustrate the conflict while you visit the caves.
• We then continue to spend some time at the Chagga Live Museum, a small outdoor museum that will give you further insight into traditional Chagga life. Our tour includes a Chagga culinary taste when we stop for lunch in a small restaurant. Here, you will be served a traditional hot meal; later, you will also have the chance to try local spirits such as banana beer and wine.

• After breakfast, we'll drive about 250 km south to the ecologically important Usambara Mountains. After lunch, at the foot of the road to the beautiful village of Mtae, cycle, bike/walk, walk, or take the van up the steep climb ahead. However you get there, the panoramic views are well worth it. Then, drive or cycle along the ridge through picturesque villages to the Mambo View Point eco-lodge at 1900 m. There are fantastic views over the Pare Mountains, Mkomazi National Park, and Kilimanjaro.

• Much of Tanzania's produce is grown in the Usambara Mountains, and today offers idyllic biking through well-cultivated farmland. We'll take time to sample the local coffee or tea at the lodge. Our accommodation tonight is modelled on traditional and modern homesteads, set in a natural garden only 1.5 km from the city centre of Lushoto, the region's main town.

• Today we tackle our last bike stage. First, we drive about 15 km until we arrive at a wide road. We follow this dirt road and enjoy the ride through lush green vegetation. Beside us are many locals with simple bicycles or travelling along the road. After another 15 km, we reach the village of Marangu.

• Today it's a long ride on a mostly flat trail alongside sisal plantations and palms to the Indian Ocean. Our accommodation for the next two days is a small and friendly tented lodge built in a coconut grove on the shores of Tanzania's mainland, just opposite Zanzibar Island.

• Pangani is an ancient town believed to date from before the 6th century BC and was once a strategic point on the caravan route for exporting slaves and ivory. Now it is mainly a fishing and vacation town. You have all day to explore the town or visit Pangani Falls, a stunning waterfall that provides electricity to several major towns. Another option is to relax on the beach for a well-earned rest after yesterday's long ride.

• An early boat transfer takes us to Nungwi at the north end of Zanzibar Island, also called Unguja. Zanzibar is known as the 'Spice Island' for its cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper. The boat trip takes about 2 hours. Nungwi is a vibrant fishing village loved by its many visitors. Our hotel overlooks the sea toward the distant island of Tumbatu and its lighthouse. The beautiful white coral and seashell beach is the perfect place to watch an incredible sunset.

• Zanzibar Island has lured traders, adventurers, and explorers for centuries. We explore it by bike, ending up in Stone Town, the island's main town. Named for the coral stone of its buildings, Stone Town was once the heart of the slave and spice trades. Its winding alleys, bazaars, mosques, and grand Arabian houses have changed little in 200 years. You can spend many hours exploring the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Today we ride on single-speed local bikes and stay in a local hotel.

• It's time to say goodbye to Zanzibar as our Tanzanian adventure concludes. Enjoy a delicious breakfast before we transfer you to the airport. End of our adventure.

Note:

*Price may vary depending on the season and specific requests. *Tours can be customized according to wishes and physical condition.