Trek Overview
The Umbwe Route is widely regarded as the hardest trail, a tough vertical slog through the jungle, in places using the tree roots as makeshift rungs on a ladder. Because of the high risks involved with sleeping at Arrow Glacier camp and summiting via the Western Breach, all our Umbwe route hikes are re-routed, to join with the Machame route from night 2 on the mountain.
On special request, we can assist with Umbwe route hikes attempting to summit using the Western Breach/ Arrow Glacier path and overnight at the Crater camp. Please note this can only be arranged through our higher quality Standard packages and a supplement rate will apply. The main itinerary difference between the Umbwe 6 day and 7 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Barranco camp.
Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Campsite
You will begin your day with an hour’s drive to Machame gate where you will complete registration formalities. We’ll then drive through villages and plantations of coffee and banana, to Umbwe gate. The trail will steeply climb on a forestry track through a dense rainforest and then narrow and steepen as you reach the ridge between two rivers which are surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe camp is located between trees and thick undergrowth.
- Elevation 1800meters to 2950meters
- Distance: 11 km
- Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Umbwe Campsite to Barranco Campsite
On the second day of the trek, you will be hiking across rockier terrain scarcely tiled by undergrowth and random moss-covered trees. As we begin to climb, Kilimanjaro will be in plain sight, and our path flatten as we get near Barranco Valley. From Umbwe Ridge the path, gilded with unusual but yet amazing Senecio forest, leads down to Barranco camp.
- Elevation 1800meters to 2950meters
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Barranco Campsite to Karanga Valley Campsite
Breakfast will be served before you head out from Barranco towards a steep ridge that follows the base of Barranco Wall toward Karanga Valley campsite. Once you get to Karanga, you will have a hot lunch, and later on acclimatization walk. Dinner will be served at the Karanga campsite before your rest for the night awaiting day five’s adventure.
- Elevation 3950metters to 4002meters
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Karanga Valley Campsite to Barafu Campsite
You will continue trekking to Barafu, from which the view of the summit tends to be different as you shift angles. Once we reach the campsite, you can get the excellent view of the summit, but also enjoy the sight of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Dinner will be served early, and you should rest and prepare for the final ascend.
- Elevation 4002meters to 4600meters
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Barafu Campsite to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Campsite
Hiking to the summit will begin short after midnight, at around 12:30 A.M., as our path twists through heavy scree towards Stella Point at the crater rim. This part of the hike is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the ascend. Once we reach Stella Point, you will rest and refresh with warm cup of tea or coffee, accompanied by the views of the magnificent sunrise coming above Mawenzi. Going further up, you might encounter snow storm, although it is dictated by the season you are taking for the hike. The summit, Uhuru Peak – the highest point on Kilimanjaro and all of Africa, is just an hour ascend from Stella Point.
From the summit, you will start trekking down to Mweka campsite. Lunch stop will be at Barafu camp, where you can take some rest, before we continue our descend towards Mweka Campsite, which is located in the forest. Here, you will have your last dinner and overnight on the Kilimanjaro.
- Elevation 4600meters to 5895meters (and down to 3100meters)
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic
Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate
Breakfast will be served before we begin hiking down to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive summit certificates. Path on the lower elevations can be rather wet and muddy, so the gaiters and trekking poles might come handy. There will be a vehicle waiting at the gate to take you back to your accommodation in Moshi.
- Elevation 3100meters to 1800meters
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
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Cost Includes & Excludes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue Fees and all taxes.
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
- Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Local transportation before and after the climb.
- Tips for the support team
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
NOTE : If you would like to climb another route or you wish to go on safari, or have issues about variations of this itinerary, and/or select a custom date, contact us so we can arrange a private climb or safari based on your specific desire.
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