6 Days Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Climb
$1970
per person
Umbwe Route is arguably the least frequented on Kilimanjaro. Starting at the tropical rainforest it runs along Machame Route, joining it at Barranco Camp (3800m). The shortest of the routes, Umbwe – with its steep climb and short acclimatization periods – is amongst the most taxing on Kilimanjaro, while still showing off the beauties of the mountain terrain with its different habitat zones and panoramic views. While the camps along Umbwe Route to Uhuru Peak are well suited to acclimatization, this is still one of the more challenging ways to climb Kilimanjaro.
INCLUDED
- 2 nights hotel stay before the start date and on last day of the trek including breakfast
- Arrival and departure transfers from airport
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents (or hut fees for Marangu route)
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees
- Oxygen tank
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain (Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food)
- Porters, cook salaries and their park fees(Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO))
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
EXCLUDED
- Your flights/visas
- Tips to the mountain staff (Much appreciated)
- Meals other than breakfast while in the hotel and Alcohol, beverages, cigarettes, snacks, etc
- Personal gear like sleeping bag, hiking poles, etc. (Can be rented on arrival from us)
- Portable toilets – can be provided for USD 80 per toilet
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1
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Previous climbing experience is, therefore, highly recommended for climbers contemplating taking Umbwe Route on the way to the highest point in Africa.
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
- Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
- Budget Lodging: Umbwe Cave Camp
2
Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
- Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
3
Day 3: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Karanga Camp
4
Day 4: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp
5
Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp
6
Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Habitat: Forest
