Umbwe Route
TOUR OVERVIEW
The Umbwe Route is one of the shortest and steepest paths to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit offering a challenging yet rewarding trek. It is best suited for experienced hikers due to its rapid ascent and limited acclimatization opportunities. For more information about this package, take a look on our itinerary below.
PRICE START FROM
Tour Accomodation
Green Mountain Hotel
Tour Destinations
Umbwe Gate,Cave Bivouac Camp, Barranco Camp,Karanga Valley, Barafu Camp,Uhuru Peak,Mweka Camp nd Mweka Gate
Full Itinerary
Where to Stay
Green Mountain hotel
JRO - Arusha-Green Mountain Hotel
Meet and Greet at Kilimanjaro International airport and transferred to Green Mountain hotel for Bed and Breakfast- Karibu
Where to Stay
Cave Bivouac Camp
Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)Elevation Gain:1,050 meters, 3,445 feet Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours.
At 8am leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations.
Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places. Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival.
Where to Stay
Barranco Camp
Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
Where to Stay
Karanga Valley
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet Distance: 7 Kilometers Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.
Where to Stay
Barafu Camp
Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet Distance: 6 Kilometers Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.
Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.
Where to Stay
Mweka Camp
Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet Hiking time: 6 hours to the rim, 1 hour to Uhuru, 3 to 4 hours back to Barafu, 4 hours to Mweka
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the 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 Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Where to Stay
Mweka Gate
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet Hiking time: 4 hours
After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha for overnight at Green Mountain Hotel for bed and breakfast.
Where to Stay
No Accommodation
Arusha –Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast pick up from your hotel then transfer to Airport for your flight out.
Price inclusion
- Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
- Transfer to the hotel
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
- Transfer to the hotel — Green Mountain in Arusha.
- Accommodation prior to the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room)
- Transfer to the trail head
- Professional mountain crew. All guides have “Wilderness First Responder” and “Wilderness First Aid” certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with adequate number of porters (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage).
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
- Camping/hut fees
- 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request;
- Modern Mountain Hardware tents.
- Oxygen systems and pulse ox meters;
- First aid kit
- Warm and comfortable sleeping pads (2 inches thick)
- Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Meeting the group at the National Park exit and transfer to the hotel
- Accommodation after the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room);
- International certificates for a successful ascent;
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.
Price Exclusion
- Travel and personal accident insurance.
- Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines.
- Personal Mountain equipment.
- Expenditure on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and other personal items.
- Optional excursions not detailed in the itinerary.
- Additional optional accommodation added at the base hotel or extra days on the mountain added.
- Treated drinking water other than boiled.
Book this Tour
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