Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route which based in the south and is said to be the most scenic and difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. Main reason that Umbwe route considered to be very hard is its steepness in the first two days with extremely muddy. Although the traffic on this route is low, the chances of success are also low. This route only recommended for experienced and well-trained climbers. Its short time of acclimatization within a 6-day/5-night tour.
Day one this morning, a guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing with equipment check precede, you will be driven to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, where registration takes place. From there trekkers are transferred to the Umbwe Gate at 1,600 meters. Here you will start your trek with your guide and porters. The route follows a forestry track through the rainforest before steepening between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. If the weather is clear you will get a good view of Kibo in the distance. As this part of Umbwe route goes through rainforest with its probability of rain showers do not forget your raincoat. Your support crew will have prepared the camp and dinner by the time you get there.
Umbwe Cave Camp
Distance: | 9.5km / 7 mile
Approx. trekking time: | 6 – 7 hours
Zone: | Rainforest
Day two the path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest along the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp situated in the valley. You will notice the camp is pretty busy. This is because you will be joining hikers from the Machame, Lemosho and Shira Route here. Therefore the population will be bigger.
Barronco Camp
Distance: | 7.5km / 4.9 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 5 hours
Zone: | Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
Early wakeup, breakfast and starts with a steep climb up to Barranco Wall. No technical skills are required but you will need to use all four limbs to scramble up to the top. From here you will follow an up and down route along the Southern Circuit through the Karanga Valley and up to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Karanga Camp
Distance: | 5.5km / 3.4 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 5 hours
Zone: | Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.
Barafu Camp
Distance: | 3km / 1.9 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 3 hours
Zone: | High alpine zone
Day five, we start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. The ascent to crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
The hike from Stella to Uhuru Peak is gradual climb and as far as hikes go not very difficult. The altitude makes the hike long and tiring. 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.
Uhuru Peak
Distance: | 16.4km / 9.6 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 13 – 15 hours
Zone: | Glacial zone and the all preceding zones
After getting a breakfast, 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! After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Mweka Gate
Distance: | 9.1km / 7.5 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 3 – 5 hours
Zone: | Rainforest
This day left for your next destination. A vehicle will take you back to the Hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration. Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to beaches in Zanzibar so as we can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region. If you fly back home our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
Moshi
Pre & Post Trek accommodation
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
Double layered Sleeping Mats
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Portable toilets and toilets tents
Hot Water For Washing Purpose
Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
International flights
Tips to mountain crew
Cost of Visas.
Insurance fees
Bank transfer charges & card payments processing fee.
Expenses belong to person nature e.g Drinks not included on the meal plans, personal purchases, Laundry etc.