Ride + Ramble - 5 Days
(K5L)
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
Kilimanjaro has many beautiful regions, none more so than the Western side and Shira Plateau. This itinerary is perfect for those that do not want to summit Kilimanjaro, rather enjoy its different vegetation and wilderness zones as well as being in the unique high altitude environment. Wildlife, all the main zones of the mountain, tribes, birds, geology.. Quite the package.
DESCRIPTION
Starting on the western side, this trip starts on the lower slopes in the Amboseli eco system for some excellent mountain biking (note non bikers can trek / game drive) and then a 3 day trek ascending Lemosho glades and on to the Shira Plateau.
HIGHLIGHTS
Widlife, historic sites, Lemosho forest, the Juniper forest, the Shira Plateau with stunning views of Kibo, walking
across the Shira plateau, 4 different vegetation zones. Hiking into thin air.
ITINERARY
In Brief
DAY 1 - WEST KILI - TREK + BIKE
DAY 2 - WEST KILI - TREK + BIKE
DAY 3 - KILIMANJARO - TREK
DAY 4 - KILIMANJARO - TREK
DAY 5 - KILIMANJARO END - TREK
DISTANCES: VARIED OPTIONS FROM 30 - 50 KM MIX BIKE + TREK
In Detail
DAY 1 – WEST KILIMANJARO
START – 5,412FT / 1650M
END – 3,740FT / 1140M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – plains
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to West Kilimanjaro. You arrive around lunchtime at the entrance and have a picnic lunch as bikes are prepared. You bike / mixed adventure guide is on hand to assist all setting up and then it’s time to ride! This first section is almost all downhill from the lower slopes to the plains below. This area is a WMA, in other words both wildlife and people. This undoubtably add a dimension to a Kilimanjaro experience, not least because both live side by side! In the afternoon you head into camp to relax around a campfire. Dinner & overnight West Kili fly camp (lunch, dinner).
DAY 2 – WEST KILIMANJARO
START – 3,740FT / 1140M
END – 3,740FT / 1140M
DISTANCE – as desired
TIME – full day, or less
CLIMATE ZONE – plains and acacia woodlands
As the sun starts to rise coffee is delivered to your tent. It’s generally a great idea to maximise activity in much the same rhythm as the wildlife does by having and active morning, relaxing under the spreading branches of an acacia in the heat of the day and exploring more in the afternoon / evening. With bikes and a safari landcruiser it’s really up to you how active you are, and our guides are here to explore this engaging area with you. Dinner & overnight West Kili fly camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
DAY 3 – KILIMANJARO FOREST
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night. Dinner & overnight Forest camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
DAY 4 – SHIRA 1
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. A hot lunch is taken at Shira 1 Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising to the new environment. Dinner & overnight Shira 1 camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
DAY 5 – MORUM BARRIER & OUT
START – 13,780 / 4200M
END – 12,205FT / 3720M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
This morning you hike towards Morrum Barrier Gate before descending down towards Londorosi Gate. The hike takes around 4 to 5 hours and picnic lunches are provided at the gate before you transfer to onward arrangements (note: transfer to Arusha is around 3 hours, transfer for West Kilimanjaro airstrip is around 40 minutes). (breakfast, lunch).