10-Day Cycling Tour of Moshi to Zanzibar
Highlights
Moshi, Marangu, Lushoto
cultural, cycling, Wildlife
Group Tour
10 Days
Easy
English
Description
Embark on an incredible 10-day cycling tour from Moshi to Zanzibar. Relax and unwind at the serene Lake Challa, surrounded by untouched nature. Immerse yourself in the history and traditions of Marangu, visit coffee farms, and explore the Chagga Underground Caves and Live Museum. Marvel at panoramic views from the Usambara Mountains and traverse idyllic farmlands. Discover the vibrant fishing village of Nungwi and delve into the enchanting Stone Town on Zanzibar Island.
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Moshi – Lake Chala
- Lake Challa is 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 getaway for a day. Pure tranquillity 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 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, and Kayaking (optional). You will experience the natural beauties of the green scenery and landscape and have the opportunity to meet local people doing their daily activities. There is a very high possibility of spotting the baboon monkey, velvet monkey, blue monkey, and many different birds that live in this wonderful savannah land. Overnight in a camping site. There is a bar that serves alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and a restaurant that serves snacks and main meals.
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Day 2 - Lake Challa – Marangu
- Immerse yourself in the history of Marangu and its people. Marangu, at the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, is a small town with great history and ancient traditions. Get carried away by the Chagga tribe, unique rainforest landscape and coffee growing insides. This tour has it all: action, tradition and culinary.
- In the morning, we ride our bicycle to Marangu Gate (1900m), the starting point for all Kilimanjaro treks via the Marangu Route. You will have the opportunity to take pictures of the mighty Kilimanjaro and get a sense of the spirit of the mountain. The area around Marangu is home to the local Chagga tribe, and you will learn all about their history and traditions on this full-day excursion. Our second stop will be visiting a small coffee farm, where you will learn how coffee is grown, harvested and processed locally. Try processing, roasting and preparing a fresh cup of coffee. Once you have finished enjoying your coffee break, we will depart for the Ndoro Waterfalls.
- Our hike to the waterfall's base will lead us through a lush green landscape, and the descent will take approximately 1 hour. Here you can relax and take a refreshing bath in the waterfall pool. Another highlight will be visiting the Chagga Underground Caves and the Chagga Live Museum. In times of drought, the Maasai migrated up the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro in search of food and water. They enslaved and killed the local Chagga people. In defence of these attacks, the Chagga built an extensive network of underground caves. Your guide will lively illustrate the conflict while you visit the caves.
- We then continue to spend some time at the Chagga Live Museum, a small outdoor museum that will give you further insight into traditional Chagga life. Our tour includes a Chagga culinary taste when we stop for lunch in a small restaurant. Here you will be served a traditional hot meal; later, you will also have the chance to try local spirits such as banana beer and wine.
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Day 3 - Marangu – Mambo View Point
- After breakfast, we’ll drive about 250 km south to the ecologically important Usambara Mountains. After lunch, at the foot of the road to the beautiful village of Mtae, cycle, bike/walk, walk or take the van up the steep climb ahead! However, you get there. The panoramic views are well worth it. Then, drive/cycle along the ridge through picturesque villages to the Mambo View Point eco-lodge at 1900 m. There are fantastic views over the Pare Mountains, the Mkomazi National Park and Kilimanjaro.
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Day 4 - Mambo View Point – Lushoto
- Much of Tanzania’s produce is grown in the Usambara Mountains, and today offers idyllic biking through well-cultivated farmland. We’ll take time to sample the local coffee or tea at the lodge. Our accommodation tonight is modelled on traditional and modern homesteads, wet in a natural garden only 1.5km from the city centre of Lushoto, the region's main town.
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Day 5 - Lushoto – Korogwe
- Today we are already tackling our last bike stage. First, we drive about 15 km until we arrive on a wide road. We follow this dirt road and enjoy the ride through the lush green vegetation. Beside us are many locals with simple bicycles or on the road. After another 15 km, we reach the village of Marangu.
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Day 6 - Korogwe – Pangani
- Today it’s a long ride on a mostly flat trail alongside sisal plantations and palms to the Indian Ocean. Our accommodation for the next two days is a small and friendly tented lodge built in a coconut grove on the shores of Tanzania’s mainland, just opposite Zanzibar Island.
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Day 7 - Pangani
- Pangani is an ancient town believed to date from before the 6th Century BC and was once a strategic point on the caravan route for exporting slaves and ivory. Now it is mainly a fishing and vacation town. You have all day to explore the town or visit Pangani Falls, a stunning waterfall which provides electricity to several major towns. Another option is to relax on the beach for a well-earned rest after yesterday’s long ride.
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Day 8 - Pangani – Nungwi (Zanzibar)
- An early boat transfer takes us to Nungwi at the north end of Zanzibar Island (also called Unguja). Zanzibar is known as the ‘Spice Island’ for its cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper. The boat trip takes about 2 hours. Nungwi is a vibrant fishing village loved by its many visitors. Our hotel overlooks the sea to the distant island of Tumbatu and its lighthouse. The beautiful white coral and seashell beach is the perfect place to watch an incredible sunset.
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Day 9 - Nungwi – Zanzibar Town (Stone Town)
- Zanzibar Island has lured traders, adventurers and explorers for centuries. We explore it by bike, ending up in Stone Town, the island’s main town. Named for the coral stone of its buildings, Stone Town was once the heart of the slave and spice trades. Its winding alleys, bazaars, mosques and grand Arabian houses have changed little in 200 years. You can spend many hours exploring the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Today we ride on single-speed local bikes and stay in a local hotel.
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Day 10 - Departure
- It’s time to say goodbye to Zanzibar as our Tanzanian adventure concludes. Enjoy a delicious breakfast before we transfer you to the airport. End of our Adventures
Note:
*Price may vary depending on the season and specific requests *Tours can be customized according to wishes and physical condition.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
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1 to 20 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 20 | /person |
This is a group tour |