KILIMANJARO BIKING

Lake Challa, a hidden gem, a perfect place to relax and unwind from the busy city life. The remote caldera lake on the border of Tanzania & Kenya is only 55km from Moshi and therefore the perfect get away for a day. Pure tranquility 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 simply enjoy the stunning vistas of an untouched Africa. In the morning your guide will pick you up from your accommodation.

You will ride the bicycle to Lake Challa 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, kayaking (optional).

You will experience the natural beauties of the green scenery, landscape and will also have the opportunity to meet local people doing their daily activity. There is a very high possibility of spotting the baboon monkey, velvet monkey, blue monkey, antelopes, elephants and many different birds, that live in this wonderful savannah land. overnight in camping site. There is a bar that serves alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and a restaurant that serves snacks and main meals.

We are heading further north anti-clockwise around the volcano. In the higher regions we see good farming practice of water and soil saving agriculture of the locals. We ride close to the Kenyan border climbing gently to higher altitude. The last 6 miles are on steep. In the afternoon we arrive at our cozy chalets. This is one of the starting points leading onto the mountain.

We ride along the volcano through wide and deep river streams. We are in a very fertile area with countless small farms. Later we arrive in deeper plains, where the mountain slopes merge with the plain. . Your cycling tour today ends at Simba Farm which is situated on top of the vast wheat and barley fields overlooking the west Kilimanjaro plains.

After breakfast and a briefing (including a check of your equipment), we drive to Londorossi Gate, which is about 80 kilometers away. The journey takes about 2 hours and leads partly over bumpy slopes. After the formalities at the gate have been completed, the trail leads through lush rainforest where you can spot black and white colobus monkeys in the tree crowns. After a 2-3 hour hike, you will reach the Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa Camp) – your first night camp on Kilimanjaro.

After breakfast you will soon leave the dense rainforest, and pass through heathland, the landscape starts to become more barren and is marked by lobelias. It travels up to the mountain ridge that leads to the Shira Plateau. You will be rewarded here with a great view of the Kibo and Mount Meru. You then cross some quiet streams and descend over the Shira Ridge (3600m) to the night camp at Shira Camp 1.

Today you leave the heathland as the path leads up through an open moorland landscape. Upon reaching the Shira Plateau, you can again enjoy the great view of the Kibo. At Shira Camp 2, where you will stay overnight, there is a warm lunch. Afterwards you can take a short excursion with your guide for better acclimatization.

Today’s stage contributes very well to good acclimatization. You will pass huge boulders on your way to the Lava Tower (4600m), which you will reach approximately at the “half-time” of today’s trek. Afterwards it descends to the foot of the Kibo peak down into the Barranco valley to the camp. Enjoy the magnificent view of the glaciers and snowfields of the Kibo and the reddish shimmering Barranco Wall at sunset.

Today’s trek is somewhat shorter, so we can start a little later and enjoy the sun. First it travels through the Barranco Wall, where there is some light climbing where you must also use your hands to help. After you have reached the upper end, you can take a deep breath and once again enjoy the view of the Kibo. The next part of today‘s route will take you through small streams and the Karanga River to Karanga Camp where you will spend the night in your tent.

Today you can start your day a bit more relaxed. During the gentle climb, you will have great views into the Karanga valley and soon you will also see the Rebmann Glacier. After crossing a last valley, the trail goes over the Lava Ridge and up steeply to your today’s destination, the Barafu Camp. The view of the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro, the Mawenzi, is spectacular. After an early dinner, you should settle into your sleeping bag to catch a little sleep, as at midnight we go to the summit!

You will be awakened around 11pm, and after a hot coffee or tea and a small snack, you start with your trek to the summit. The climb is exhausting and requires a lot of will power in the cold of the night. At about sunrise you will reach the crater rim of the Kibo at Stella Point. Backed by the rising sun, you will reach the Uhuru Peak in just over an hour from now. The great views compensate you for the strenuous ascent, enjoy them! After you have taken a few summit pictures, it will be time for the descent. After a short break at Barafu Camp, you continue your trek to Mweka Camp, where it is time to sleep properly.

After a last breakfast on the mountain you will walk for 2-3 hours through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate. Here you will have to say goodbye to your mountain team. On arrival at the hotel, a hot shower, a comfortable bed and clean clothes will await you. Later you will be visited by your guide, who will hand over your summit certificate and have a drink with you to celebrate your summit success.