6 Days Through Umbwe Route

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What to Expect

Umbwe Route is a steep, challenging and direct climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its beautiful, dense forest and stunning views. It is only meant for extremely fit individuals who want to challenge themselves and know what they are getting into.

Umbwe route is deservedly considered most challenging because of the fast direct ascent to high altitudes. It does not provide the time needed for acclimatization, which leads to altitude sickness.

The early days of this path have arguably the best views of any part of the mountain, save perhaps the summit itself. At times, there are stunning vistas to be seen to both the left and the right as you make your way up the trail.

Itinerary

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 Trekking through to Machame route. You will spend the rest of your time at your won leisure and relaxation.

Day 1 - Umbwe Gate 1800 m – Umbwe Caves 2850 m

Habitat: Montana Rainforest
Hiking Time: 5-6 hrs

After getting breakfast, we drive up to the Machame park gate to obtain climbing permits and then we drive back to Umbwe gate for 1.5hrs. In the Umbwe gate you can measure your luggage and show your permit. Then, we start to ascend in the Montana forest through the tree roots. After leaving the road, we reach the first lunch stop called Sarumba Camp, which is place where the porters fill the water for your collection before we reach the Umbwe Caves because there is no water in the Caves.

After 3hrs from this stage we complete trekking through the Montana forest to start trekking through heather and moorland. This is a sign that you are now close to the Umbwe Caves which is roughly ten minutes away. More a glorified overhang than a proper cave, the adjacent campsite dribbles up the ridge and is a rather charming spot, a quiet place hidden in the upper reaches of the forest where your porters and chefs are ready for you to camp overnight.

Day 2 - Umbwe Caves 2850 m – Barranco Camp 3950 m

Habitat: Heather & Moorland
Hiking Time 3-4 hrs

Early in the morning after getting breakfast you start the ascent to Baranco Camp. This path is short but is very steep on our way to the Baranco Camp as we tackle the Jiwe La Kamba/Rop Stone surfaces 45mins after leaving the Umbwe Caves. The trail goes through to the end of the Montana forest to a magical stretch of giant heather & moorland zone where giant groundsels and other strange plants on Kilimanjaro grow in abundance.

The walking is pretty much uphill all the way through, including many turns that are tedious rather than technical although this is nothing to fear. By the end you will have reached the Baranco Campsite, a wonderful sooted area at the junction of number of routes which lay on the border of the alpine desert. From here then you can have a lunch served by your chefs, and the tent will be ready for rest and camp overnight.

Day 3 - Barranco Camp 3900 m – Karanga Camp 3950 m

Habitat: Alpine Desert
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4 hrs

After spending a night in Great Barranco Wall, you have to make your way up the rock face, this is not as easy as it seems and you may require assistance. Then you will top out just below the Heim Glacier. You can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley, the last water stop on the route over intervening ridges and valleys before it joins up with the Mweka route, the preferred route down the summit. We overnight at Karanga

Day 4 - Karanga Camp 3950 m – Barafu Camp 4673 m

Habitat: Moorland & Desert
Hiking Time: 3 hrs

After finishing breakfast you start the steep hill to ascend to Barafu Camp, this day is short but you will experience some mist and wind along the way. Then after 1.5hrs you will be near the Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for ice. To get here, you will ascend up to ridge to 4600m to spend the night exposed to the over present gates in tents pitched on narrow and stony ridge.

Day 5 - Barafu Camp 4673 m – Uhuru Peak 5895 m – Mweka Camp 3100 m

Vegetation zone: Scree and Ice-Capped Summit
Hiking Time: 5-6 hrs to Uhuru Peak / 4hrs to Mweka

Leaving around midnight 23.00 23.30 to ascend through heavy scree to Stella Point (5568 m) on the crater rim, stop for a short rest and weather permitting to experience the most magnificent sunrise you are very likely to see. Then start your summit attempt ascending for about 2hrs to Uhuru Peak 5895 m, the highest point in Africa. Enjoy stunning views of ice wall, and then descend back to rest before heading down to Mweka camp (3100 m) to overnight in the upper rain forest.

Day 6 - Mweka Camp 3100 m - Mweka Gate 1640 m

Vegetatio Zone: Forest
Distance ~10 km
Hiking Time: 3hrs

After an early and well deserved breakfast follows a short 3hrs and scenic hike back to Mweka Park gate. It is strongly recommended to pay tips to the porters and guide(s) as you were requested by Kilismile Trails.

Those who reached Stella Point and Uhuru Peak are awarded with Certificates. Then transfer back to your hotel for a long overdue and hot shower with time to relax.

Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Price Info

1 Pax	2 – 5 Pax	6 – 10 Pax	11+ Pax
$ 1,650	$ 1,540	$1,470	$1,400

Price Includes

All park fees and taxes
Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
Professional, English-speaking guide
Meals and Mineral water according to the itinerary
Overnight accommodation according to the itinerary

Price Excludes

Both International and local Flights
Tanzania Visa
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuity to your safari driver
Alcoholic and soft drinks

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