6 Days Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Trekking

Tour Overview

Umbwe route is one of the express but sharpest routes to the Southern Glaciers, affording one view of the forests, valleys, magnificent vegetation, and glaciers. Though, hikers must be pre-acclimatized prior to trying this route particularly if one opts to summit via Western Breach as you gain altitude very rapidly over a smaller distance. This, however, does not make the Umbwe Route a technical route up Kilimanjaro just physically challenging.

That thought, not may climbers select for this route. As for stats, only about 200 hikers try this route a year related to tens of thousands on the likes of the Machame and Marangu routes. The rewards this route offers is not only the physical challenge but you also get the luxury of trekking in privacy at slightest till you meet up with the other explorers at Barranco Camp. From there, you can opt to follow others around to Barafu or via Western Breach.

Tour Itinerary

01
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
02
Day 2: Umbwe gate (1800m) - Umbwe Cave (3000m)
The climb starts from Umbwe Gate (1,800 m.) The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! It’s a steep and rough walk up to our first camp, Umbwe Cave at (3,000 m).

Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 10.5km
Habitat: Rainforest (Montane) Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
03
Day 3: Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 meters) to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters)
The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest. One place it’s necessary to do a bit of climbing / scrambling past a 10 meter rock, but after that the path gets easier. The views start to open up, and the vegetation is now the typical moorland, with giant scenarios around, and the ice fields at Kibo is now clearly visible. Camp is in the Barranco valley (3,950 m.), which has spectacular views to both Kibo and the plains beneath.

Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.5km
Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
05
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m.), the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley. There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatization walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp.

Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Habitat: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
05
Day 5: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
06
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
Approx. time taken: 13-15 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
07
Day 7: Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel

Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Hotel: Bed &Breakfast
08
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport

Tour Included

Included

  • All park fees and rescue fees
  • Professional, licensed mountain guides
  • Experienced porters and mountain cook
  • All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Drinking water throughout the climb
  • All camping equipment: tents, sleeping mats, dining tent
  • High-quality camping table & chairs
  • Safety equipment: first aid kit, pulse oximeter, oxygen cylinder
  • Fair and ethical treatment of porters
  • Transfer from your hotel to Machame Gate & return after climb
  • Hot meals prepared fresh every day
  • Accommodation in tents on the mountain
  • Government taxes and charges

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Hotel before and after the climb (can be arranged on request)
  • Climbing gear (available for rent)
  • Personal items (snacks, energy bars, medication)
  • Tips for guides, cook, and porters
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Portable toilet (available on request)
  • Extra nights accommodation after the climb

Tour Price

# of People 1 person 2-4 persons 5-7 persons 8-9 persons 10 persons
Price per Person $2,000 USD* $1,850 USD* $1,800 USD* $1,750 USD* $1,700 USD*

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