Cycle Kilimanjaro

From the very start when you booked your place on this trip to the moment you arrive back in London you will be in the capable hands of experienced 360 Staff.

All of our staff have extensive knowledge of world travel, event support and other skills that are ideal for the job they are doing and situations that might arise. As well as this they are motivated, friendly and approachable. While out on the road the support team also have great back up from the office with a 24 hour emergency number just in case.

Back up team numbers and number of vehicles vary depending on the group size and the logistics of the route, but we ensure that there are enough staff to provide you with a great and enjoyable trip.

The team are there to look after the running of the trip and all the aspects that are involved. From route-marking to luggage transportation, or motivating to puncture repair, the back-up team are there to help you complete your challenge and enjoy every minute!

The other big job for the back-up team is to keep your bike on the road so you can keep pedalling! We carry a range of spares and inner tubes should something happen to your bike on the trail and will be along before long to fix you up and keep you cycling. We also carry spare bikes.

If you wanted to, you could, but do be aware you’ll likely be charged extra for luggage on the flights. We have bikes for the team’s use in-country, but please do chat to us if you want to make alternative arrangements and we’ll be happy to help out.

There is a rare opportunity to hire an electric bike if you so need it, however we cannot promise as they are few and far between in the location as you can imagine.

The bikes we use are mainly Trek and Avalanche mountain bikes – perfect for cross-country riding as they are lightweight frames. We’ve got the full spec in the office, just ask and we can send it to you! Please bring your own helmet, this is a must. Safety first!

Meals will vary from day to day as we move across the land and stay in different wonderful accommodation.

Your meals will include a variety of the following…

Breakfasts: Full English, porridge, juice, hot beverages including Kilimanjaro coffee, pancakes

Snacks: Sausages, pancakes, toast, cheese, baked beans, omelette, fruit, bread rolls, garlic bread, potatoes

Water stops: Chocolate, fruits, nuts, drinks (water and coca cola)

Lunches: Chicken, sausage, soup, eggs, hot dogs, chocolate, fruit, coca cola,

Evening snacks: Nuts, popcorn, oranges, bananas, hot beverages, coca cola

Dinners: local dishes including machalari, soup, various meats, chips, vegetables, curry

Absolutely, please let us know in advance.

It isn’t really necessary to bring snacks. We provide a brilliant range of snacks from local snacks, fruit and chocolate. If you want to bring energy snacks, such as power bars or gels which are not usually available in the country then please do.

In the evenings before dinner and as you first head in from your day’s riding, the snacks include banana crisps, popcorn, nuts and biscuits as well as hot and cold drinks and a well-earnt beer.

Purified drinking water is available at all stages of the trip (with the exception of restaurants, where we do not include beverages). In restaurants, we recommend you purchase bottled water and refrain from drinking anything with ice. Do not drink the water from the tap. If you think you might be filling up outside our planned water stops, bring purification tablets.

Water stops will be after every 15 kilometres for longer days and less than that for shorter days. You can refill water bottles at any of these stops. We absolutely ensure you are kept well hydrated and remain flexible to our cyclists so that you have  the best experience possible.

Hotels and guest houses, which by local standards will be good, by western standards may seem a little simple in places, in more developed areas will be very respectable with western toilets and hot showers. Remember these are developing countries, but they do try hard to cater for western tourists.

Yes. All accommodation on the trip is shared (unless you pay a single supplement rate). If you have a friend on the ride let us know and we will make sure you share with them.

All your overnight luggage will be transported for you from hotel to hotel, but this does mean that it will be very awkward to access this bag during the day. Therefore we suggest if you have a few things you might need out on the road then you bring a small daysack or large bum bag to carry things while on your bike. Do keep your backpack small though otherwise you’ll find your shoulders get very stiff very quickly and you will get hot quickly. Better still get bike bags for the handlebars or under seat compartments for any essentials. Small daysacks are often more accessible on the bus during the day.

Space is limited in the luggage vans so we ask you not to bring suitcases but stick to soft duffel bags or kit bag and not one that is precious to you as they may be put on the bottom of the pile. Your bag should weigh no more than 15kg.

Western toilets are available at accommodation. In the countryside and as we ride through small villages, we cannot guarantee that a toilet will be available so embrace the elements: bushes will be your go-to.

There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks – there is no problem if you need to take more rest stops. A support vehicle will be bringing up the rear of the group on the cycle ride ensuring nobody is left alone – remember, this is not a race!

Around Moshi and Arusha, particularly after the wet season, have frequent incidents of malaria amongst the local inhabitants of these towns. You should take them, as well as applying precautions such as sleeping under mosquito nets, applying insect repellent and wearing long sleeve shirts and trousers. Speak to your doctor before the trip to ensure you are correctly prepared.

The same sort of things you would take on any holiday, but consider particularly Ibuprofen to relieve muscular pain, Compeed blister treatments, rehydration sachets, plasters and antiseptic to treat minor scrapes. If you have medicines that you take regularly you should take those with you in case the van carrying them is held up, preventing you from keeping to your normal regime.

The following vaccinations are recommended:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Yellow Fever (see below)

This list is not absolute and it is important you should see your GP Surgery or travel clinic for latest recommendations and to ensure you are up to date on necessary vaccinations.

The advice about Yellow Fever vaccinations for travelling to Tanzania changes frequently and you must check with your GP surgery or Travel Clinic for the latest advice before you travel. We cannot advise you on this due to the frequency with which the advice changes.

Vehicle transport will always be available. If it’s not a medical problem but you need to get home then equally arrangements can be made. Evacuation costs will need to be met by the client or their insurer.

It is a rule that while cycling you must wear a cycle helmet. There is a two strike rule – if the back-up team see you riding without a helmet twice then you will be asked to retire from the event. This is entirely based on safety reasons. During the trip there’s a chance you could be exposed to extremes of weather so we encourage you to be as prepared as possible to handle those extremes and remember they can change very quickly. We have provided a kit list in this document, if you have any concerns or questions about kit please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We highly recommend when buying cycling shorts you do not go for the cheapest as your bottom will be doing a lot of the hard work and needs good padding! You’ll look a bit funny standing up at the dinner tables in the evening. Also the heat and humidity will play a big part in your comfort levels, so spend a little more on good BREATHABLE kit.

Definitely! There are plenty of like-minded riders taking part who are thinking the same thing so you will be in good company and you will meet new friends. Some people come with friends or family but most people come on their own. Sign up today for a fantastic experience and the opportunity to make life long friends.

If you engage in fitness activities at least 3 times per week, or do a physical job, this will be easily achievable. The most important thing is to get “saddle time” – get on a bike, either outdoors or in the gym, as the skin – and the heart – can take a little time to adapt to cycling all day. The aspect people often find hardest is acclimatising to riding in the heat.

The minimum age to take part is 18 and there is no maximum age limit, but if you are over 65 years we will ask you to provide us with a medical certificate from your doctor.

Normally the day would start with a wake up call and then breakfast. We ask that on your way down to breakfast you bring down your overnight bag. After breakfast there will be a few minutes to check your bike and tyre pressures. Before you set off there will be a short recap on the dinner briefing and then it is off. The ride will be broken down into sections with water stops, and lunch out on the road. Arriving at the hotel or guest house you will be shown where to leave bikes, you will check in and be told where your bags are so you are able to go and freshen up before dinner. During dinner you will also have a safety briefing for tomorrow’s ride.

In Tanzania it will be…

The cycling would be classed as easy to moderate for an averagely fit person.

Distances vary between 50 to 70 kilometers per day, covering 314km in total (distance may vary slightly due to changes of hotels or exact route). While you are training we recommend several days of these distances on consecutive days to get used to the distances day after day. If you are planning to track your route please remember that all computers and GPS devices vary slightly in readings.

Apart from the bicycles, we use different vehicles depending on the group size. Bike, bus, speedboat, small wood built “ferries”, tuk tuk, plane! This trip is not all about the cycling, it’s more by any means necessary and people should expect to be getting on and off vehicles each day, whether that’s the bus, a ferry etc. Generally though, we use buses or vans of varying size with trucks to support with equipment, with some interesting river crossings along the way.

In Vietnam we will be visiting mostly remote areas. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are tourists hotspots. In the Cambodian provinces of Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom, we may see a few more tourists, but only at major stops like Sambor Prey Kuk and Angkor Wat.

It can really vary but February-March and September-October are great times of year to visit Tanzania due to better weather conditions. The summer can reach temperature heights that would perhaps not make for comfortable riding!

Tanzania is located in the tropics, so it has a tropical climate. The temperature ranges from about 18°C to 29°C year-round, and there’s plenty of rainfall throughout the country.

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition. We cannot accept you on to the trip without proof of insurance.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip. With your insurance coverage to include medical evacuation.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.

Visas are compulsory for entry into Tanzania for UK citizens. Although these can be acquired relatively easily at the border, we recommend that you contact your nearest Tanzanian embassy to avoid queuing, unnecessary delays and potential clearance.

Tanzania High Commission UK

3 Stratford Place W1C 1AS

London, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 207 569 1470

http://tanzaniahighcommission.co.uk

Your passport should be valid for 6 months after the date the trek starts. If it runs out before you may be refused entry. It is also advisable to have a couple of photocopies of your passport in case of loss.

The trip costs cover all of your accommodation (twin room basis), travel, all meals except for ones mentioned in the itinerary and luggage transfer. They also include trip support by experienced 360 leaders; support, mechanical and medical staff and vehicles.

Costs do not include visas, personal travel insurance, meals mentioned on the itinerary, drinks, extra food, extra personal items and any other costs not mentioned.

You will need to allow extra for snacks, drinks, souvenirs and other personal extras. We would also recommend carrying a credit card to cover any personal emergencies that might arise.

Yes. In the countryside there are pockets of dead space or low signal but these are usually small.

Yes. Be sure to bring appropriate adapters. Most outlets in major cities can accept several types of plugs, but it is not guaranteed in the provinces. We also recommend a power bank, helps with charging when you’re out and about – we recommend PowerTraveller!