Shira Mountain Bike Tour
- Trip Code : KBAM-10
- Activity : Cycling, Trekking
- Activity Level : Challenging
- Private & Group Tour
- Minimum Age : 15
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT
The Shira Mountain Bike route is a short 2 to 3 day route which is mainly used for either a short biking Kilimanjaro experience, or as an acclimatization exercise, in preparation of our standard 5-day Biking Kilimanjaro Expeditions
The Shira Mountain Bike route starts from the western side of Kilimanjaro. The route starts with a 4 x 4 track (+/-15 km) from the Londorossi gate (2100m) that ends near Shira 1 camp, close to the Shira Ridge (3600m) covering the Shira Plateau. The Shira Mountain Bike route runs parallel with the Lemosho hiking route.
Highlights
- Ride through diverse terrains from lush rainforest to alpine deserts
- Embark on a thrilling bike ride to explore the majestic Shira Plateau and marvel at the iconic Shira Cathedral, a collection of towering rock formations
- Take in the breathtaking view of Kibo Peak from the saddle of your bike
- Encounter wild animals in their natural habitat and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscape
- Camp on the plateau, enjoying clear night skies and stunning star views
- Cycle towards the Shira Plateau, known for its expansive views and unique vegetation zones. The plateau offers a quieter, less-traveled perspective of Mt Kilimanjaro
Path: Dirt road & single tracks
TOUR ITINERARY – OPTION A
DAY 1: Londorossi Gate – Shira 1 camp
Cycling time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 km
Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hour drive from Moshi town (910m) to the Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village.
Following registration, we collect packed lunches and we start our mountain bike adventure by cycling from the Londorossi gate (2 100m) to the Shira 1 camp (3 500m) – total distance approximately 18 km. Expect some areas with loose rocks, mud and continuous uphill. Weather conditions, your fitness level and your mountain biking skills level will determine the how much cycling or how much pushing of your mountain bike you will be doing on this section. Especially after heavy rains the 4 x 4 access road can become very muddy in certain areas, making cycling really difficult.
The 4 x 4 track is very spectacular and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland.
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.
DAY 2: Shira 1 camp – Londorossi Gate
Cycling time: Approximately 2 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 km
Habitat: Montane forest
You rise early at Shira 1 camp and, after breakfast, you will start with an amazing Kilimanjaro downhill to the Londorossi gate, descending 1 500m over 18 km. It is possible to encounter vehicles on the way down, we recommend controlling your speed and to avoid any unnecessary risks.
At the Londorossi gate you sign your name and details in a register. From the Londorossi Gate you will drive back 2 hours to Moshi town for a long overdue hot shower and dinner at the hotel.
TOUR ITINERARY – OPTION B
DAY 1: Londorossi Gate – Shira 1 camp
Cycling time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 km
Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hour drive from Moshi town (910m) to the Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village.
Following registration, we collect packed lunches and we start our mountain bike adventure by cycling from the Londorossi gate (2 100m) to the Shira 1 camp (3 500m) – total distance approximately 18 km. Expect some areas with loose rocks, mud and continuous uphill. Weather conditions, your fitness level and your mountain biking skills level will determine the how much cycling or how much pushing of your mountain bike you will be doing on this section. Especially after heavy rains the 4 x 4 access road can become very muddy in certain areas, making cycling really difficult.
The 4 x 4 track is very spectacular and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland.
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.
DAY 2: Shira 1 camp – Shira 2 Camp
Cycling time: 2 to 3 hours
Distance: 7 km
Habitat: Moorland
You rise early at Shira 1 camp and, after breakfast, you cycle across the Shira plateau for approximately 7 km to the Shira 2 Camp (3 875m), situated on the moorland meadows. The trail is not very good in some areas where you will be required to push or carry your bike. By now you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. We enjoy lunch at Shira 2 camp. The porters will provide a small bowl of washing water to each hiker, before the cook serves dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
DAY 3: Shira 2 camp – Londorossi Gate
Cycling time: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 25 km
Habitat: Montane forest
You rise early at Shira 2 camp and, after breakfast, you will start with an amazing Kilimanjaro downhill to the Londorossi gate, descending 1 800m over 25km. It is possible to encounter vehicles on the way down, we recommend controlling your speed and avoid any unnecessary risks.
We have a sustained our Biking adventures on well constructed morum road . Our route winds down to the National Park gate and We are met by our vehicle and transferred to Hotel. A well earned shower is tantalizingly close!
TOUR GALLERY
Got a Question?
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi
- Mountain Bikes & Helmets
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional & experienced mountain bike guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Tents, Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Conservation fees
- Rescue fees & Camping fees
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
- Kili Bike Adventures T-shirts
TOUR EXCLUDES
- Tip for the Crew (Much appreciated)
- Laundry service
- Entry visa for Tanzania
- Hiking gears
- Health requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but recommended)
- Highly recommended travel and medical insurance
Recommended Travel insurances:
- Global rescue
- Axa
- Generaly
- Red point resolution
- Allianz
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