Kilimanjaro Trekking Umbwe Route
About 6 Days Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route is the most direct route on the mountain, it ascends steeply through forest up to Barranco Camp on the south side. This means that in terms of acclimatisation it would be the hardest to adapt to.
The Kilimanjaro National Park designated this route to be a descent route some years ago so therefore it’s not possible to ascend the Umbwe route anymore. It’s commonly used by porters to deliver food supplies up to Barranco Camp, and it’s also used a quite retreat for people who are sick at either Barranco or Karanga Camp.
The route is mostly forested, a steep trail that ascends directly up a narrow valley from the roadhead to the Barranco Camp.
ITINERARY:
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Arrival:
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your 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. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
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DAY 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Upon arriving at the Umbwe Gate, we complete the registration paperwork and prepare the expedition gear. The trek beings up a gradual inclining 4WD path, which ends with a sign marked “Umbwe Trail.” From here we ascend through a dense forest on a steep and sometimes muddy path until we reach Umbwe Camp. -
DAY 2: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath
On this day, the trek will begin steep as we ascend higher into the heath zone. Here the landscape changes rapidly to sparse vegetation, rocky outcrops, and giant theaters.
The trail leads up a narrow ridge then flattens as it nears Barranco Valley, which offers great views of Kibo Peak and Moshi. Once at camp there will be some extra time to explore the area.
Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp. -
DAY 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The ascent today will be very steep crossing into the alpine desert. The air is generally very dry here. As you ascend, the guides will be carefully assessing your progress.
Note that if your body is not acclimatizing well then the routing may well be switched to an ascent via Stella Point instead.
You will have your lunch at Lava Tower in the afternoon. -
DAY 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we will leave Karanga campsite and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Will continue up to Barafu Hut. At this point, we have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here we make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are easily from this site. -
DAY 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Point to Mweka Hut
Elevation (m): 3720m to 1980m,
Elevation (ft): 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft.
Distance: 17 km.
Hiking Time: 11-14 hours.
Habitat: Arctic.
wake up at midnight around 1 am, put on many layers of clothes and begin the climb to the summit. Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, we have just one more hour before reaching the summit. After reaching the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa, Uhuru, you will celebrate, take pictures, and make memories. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. After the summiting, we will make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep -
DAY 6: Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
After breakfast, we will gentle trek down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.
We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight and dinner at your arranged Hotel
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 170 for the entire trek(Can be shared up to 3 people).
Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).
Price:
- GROUP SIZE
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PRICE
- Solo Trekker
- $ 2000
- 2 - 4People
- $ 1800
- 5 - 7 People
- $ 1700
- 8 - 10 People
- $ 1600
- 10++
- $ 1550
