We’ll pick you up from your hotel Moshi or Arusha in the morning for the long ride to the Chemka Hot Springs. The road is bumpy and windy, so hang on! During the ride, don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful scenery and authentic Tanzanian life as it unfolds along the road.
Day 1: Moshi to Hot springs| 30km
When we arrive, you’re free to be you. Linger at the edge of the springs, taking in the blue, blue waters and the lush green of the surrounding forest. Take a leisurely swim (don’t forget that the water is not truly warm, so you won’t feel like an Olympic sprint) or float in a world that’s all your own, listening to the water lapping and the birds overhead but rather refreshing since the water source is from the Kilimanjaro mountain itself. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not play on the rope swing? Playing isn’t just for kids!
The pond can be very deep, in some places up to 8 meters, but the water is so clear that you can see right to the bottom. Eat your lunch in the shade of the trees or, find a hot spot all your own. You’ve plenty of time to spot the wildlife that also enjoy the Chemka Hot Springs. . Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads and you will finish the ride at Rundugai village where you will be spending the night.
Day 2: West Kilimanjaro | 57 Km
Our ride today takes us from greener southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro towards the more arid western side of the mountain. Your ride today will initially take you through coffee and banana plantations as you cycle through the more fertile areas of southern Kilimanjaro but as you head west you will cycle through the more arid open plains and acacia woodlands.
These plains support a remarkable variety of wildlife and spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While Moshi is home the Chagga people west Kilimanjaro plains are home to the nomadic Maasai people who co-exist with the surrounding wildlife and it is why this area is known as the Maasai Lands.
Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads and you will finish the ride at the Olpopongi Maasai Village where you will be spending the night.
Day 3: West Kilimanjaro to Arusha | 83 Km
Today’s cycle will be a long one as we cycle from the west Kilimanjaro plains towards Arusha city. The first section of the ride will be through the Ngasurai open plains which serve as a migratory path for elephants moving to and from the Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
Cyclist should look forward to a hot and dusty day ahead. Once we finish the dirt road we will enter the main tarmac road towards Arusha city passing a few small villages and settlements along with Mt. Meru looming in the background.
Right before reaching the bustling city of Arusha we will divert through a coffee estate as we head towards our boutique lodge located outside the city. We will end our ride today at the Tembo Club where we will be spending the night.
Day 4: Arusha to Tarangire National Park | 102 Km
Today’s ride will be the longest distance wise, but not the toughest, and will be mostly on tarmac roads. The ride will take us through many villages, towns and open plains. The long stretches of undulating road through the Tanzanian country side perfectly represents Ernest Hemingway’s quote when he said – “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them” After completing the tarmac road section, we will divert onto the dirt road that takes us to our tented camp/ campsite right on the border of the Tarangire National Park, which is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania.
Today we will be spending the night at the Roika Tented Lodge, which marks the perfect ending to a long, hot day of cycling since there is a swimming pool where you can cool off.
Day 5: Depart Tanzania
Today you can relax at the lodge/Campsite while you wait for your transfer back to the airport via the vibrant town of Mto wa Mbu where you can buy some souvenirs to take back home with you.
Highlights: Cycling Lake Manyara, Swimming at the Hot springs, Cycling West Kilimanjaro, Visiting local farms, Experience local cultures, Amazing scenery and Wildlife can be seen.