6 Days Umbwe Route

9 Days Lemosho Crater Route
August 27, 2018
7 Days Rongai Route
August 27, 2018

26545470 - mountain of tanzania

[smart-grid row_height=”190″ mobile_row_height=”100″ last_row=”justify” margins=”0″ captions_color=”#5b3b22″ title=”false” share=”false”]

[/smart-grid]

DAY 1

  • Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
  • Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
  • Distance: 11 km/7 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Heath

The day begins with a 50 minute drive to Machame Gate where registration formalities will be completed. We then transfer through villages and coffee and banana plantations to Umbwe Gate. The trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe Camp is perched between trees and thick undergrowth.

DAY 2

  • Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp
  • Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft
  • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Heath

The second day of the trek follows rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. As we gain elevation, glimpses of Kilimanjaro can be seen.  The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest.

DAY 3

  • Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
  • Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
  • Distance: 5 km/3 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 4

  • Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
  • Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
  • Distance: 4 km/2 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

DAY 5

  • Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
  • Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
  • Distance: 5 km/3 miles
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
  • Habitat: Arctic

  • Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
  • Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
  • Distance: 12 km/7 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you  will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 6

  • Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
  • Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
  • Distance: 10 km/6 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

This route is not used much.The Umbwe route is only suitable for people with mountain climbing experience and who are already well adapted to the altitudes.

Prices

1-2 People

$1,650

3-5 People

$1,592

6+ People

$1,535

BOOK THIS TOUR

    Price Includes:

    • 2 Airport Transfers, from JRO Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi when you arrive, then transfer back to the Airport for your flight home.
    • 2 nights Hotel Lodging on Bed and Breakfast basis, Double or Triple Occupancy (3 star hotel you will need to pay extra if you want to have a 4 or 5 star hotel)
    • 3 Delicious meals a days plud snacks if applicable, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
    • Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
    • Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
    • English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
    • Staff salaries and fees.
    • All huts and camping fee
    • Transport to/from national park gates.
    • Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town.
    • 3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you
    • Camping equipment on Machame/ Shira/ Lemosho/ Rongai & Umbwe routes (tents)
    • Portable oxygen for emergencies (returnable on completion of climb)
    • Certificate of successful completion
    • Tanzania government taxes.

    Price Excludes:

    • Prices do not include sleeping bags
    • Gratuities (tips for guides and porters)
    • Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted (plenty of water will be provided for hydration)
    • Health insurance
    • International airfare
    • Laundry
    • All Meals and drinks in Moshi town
    • Round-trip airfare to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO airport)
    • Travel and visa documents
    • Optional travel insurance
    • Additional equipment rental (walking sticks, sleeping pads, etc.)
    • Personal items

    Cancellation Policy:

    • Cancellation before 1 month: full refund of advance paid
    • Before 15 days: 75% refund
    • Before 7 days: 50% refund
    • Less than 7 days: no refund
    × Chat with us?