Mount Usambara to Coast Bike Tour

“The trip was absolutely breathtaking. The pain and suffering is 100% worth it once you look over the landscape from the highest point in Africa.”

“My journey was excellent from picking me up at the airport to dropping me off back.
Noel, the director was easily reachable and prompt to answer.The hotel were I stayed wqs high standards with swimming pool. On the first day I met him and my guide. They checked my gear and made sure I had all the necessary.
The team during the 7 days were super friendly and effective. Food was excellent. The guide really professional, listening and helpful on top of being funny. The tent was excellent quality. I felt really special.Overall an excellent experience!”

“We went in November and encountered rain/hail on 3 of our 7 days on Machame route. Not getting wet on the mountain is your absolute nr 1 priority. So here are a few tips:

+ Prepare for rain: Make sure you get waterproof pants (with closing zips for snack bars/phone) and thermals to wear underneath. The pants are usually not warm because they wick so you need the thermals above 3km elevation.
Wind can also be chilly so get thermals for your upper body and a buff, and wearing a long sleeve shirt over it. A snow jacket might be too warm as the sun comes and goes and it really bakes you.

+ Poncho: When it starts to rain really hard, you need a decent poncho. Everything is going to be wet and you dont know when the rain is going to stop. It could be half a day long. Rake out the extra bucks and get a proper one - not a cheap plastic one.

+ Plastic bags: If you dont have a proper waterproof* (not water resistant) duffelbag, keeping everything in plastic bags inside is a must. Your porter will be carrying your duffel inside another bigger duffel but you never know. Also, you want to seperate your day's wet/sweaty clothes from the rest so bring extra bags along - as well as for your shoes (the mud in camp and the toilets are not always the cleanest)

If you get wet, you dont get dry. Everything that's wet will freeze at high altitute. Makes use of the sun to dry things over your tent if you can.
Getting the extra liner for your sleeping bag also helps keep things warm. You can also sleep with your damp clothes on during the night and your body heat will dry it out.

+ Walk slow. You use less energy and and you sweat less. Less sweat = dry clothes = not freezing at high altitudes.

+ Water. Get a 2 litre or more water bladder. Just. Get. It. Since you walk all the time, it will be your main source of water intake. There's no time to stop every 15min to open the backpack for a water bottle.

Lastly, it is okay to throw up. If the altitude gets you, play along with it. You will feel 100% better afterwards. And getting sleep and enough water you will adjust and not feel symptoms again.

The food was really good. Starters every night, followed by a main course and tea/hot chocolate afterwards.
Overall it was an amazing experience and will remember it forever.

TL;DR: Rain kicks your ass.
Prepare to fight it!”