Arrive at Kilimanjaro International / Arusha Airport where our Kilimanjaro climbing expert will meet you outside the arrival hall and usher you into a waiting transfer car that is private for you. You will be transferred to a hotel in Moshi in the base town for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, where you will check in. Overnight at the Lodge.

Meals:  Dinner | Breakfast ACCOMMODATION: Panama Garden Resort

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. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this camp.

Meals:  Dinner | Lunch | Breakfast ACCOMODATION: Kilema Camp

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 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.

Meals:  Dinner | Lunch | Breakfast ACCOMODATION: 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 Mt downhill, descending nearly 800m over 7km. The final 3km descend down to Horombo hut is very technical and challenging.

Meals:  Dinner | Lunch | Breakfast ACCOMODATION: Horombo Hut

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 Gillman’s point the trail cannot be cycled and you will have to push your bike up to the Jamaica rocks, however from Jamaica rocks to Gillman’s 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 Gillman’s’ 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) – Kilema gate (1950m)
• Cycling time: 3 hours
• Distance:25 km

You will then be embarked on the world’s ultimate downhill mountain bike roller coaster 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!

Meals:  Dinner | Lunch | Breakfast ACCOMODATION: Panama Garden Resort