6 Days Umbwe Route

Kilimanjaro

6 Days Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route is short, steep, and straight. It is considered extremely difficult and is the most difficult route up Mount Kilimanjaro. Umbwe does not provide the...

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Overview

The Umbwe route is short, steep, and straight. It is considered extremely difficult and is the most difficult route up Mount Kilimanjaro. Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization due to its rapid ascent. Although there is little traffic on this route, the chances of success are also slim. The route is available for at least six days, but seven days is recommended when attempting this route. The Umbwe route should only be attempted by experienced hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimate. However, the Umbwe route is not recommended in general, and we discourage our clients from using it.

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 upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)

Leave Moshi at 8 a.m. for Umbwe Gate, where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will accompany you on the six-day trek to Uhuru Peak, Africa's roof. Wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides finalize their preparations. The first day's destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, which is about 6 hours away from the gate. The trail is steep in places and can be slippery. Hike through the cloud forest of Kilimanjaro's moss-covered trees. Later in the hike, the forest will thin and heathers, tall grasses, and wildflowers will appear. Porters and cooks will walk ahead of you to prepare the camp for your arrival.

Elevation Gain:1,050 meters, 3,445 feet

Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2: Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

The first section of the trail follows the ridge. Continue through open moorlands after leaving the forest until you reach Barranco Camp. Barranco, which is surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias, is widely regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail. Because Barranco is located in a valley, the sun rises later than it does at the other camps.

Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet

Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)

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.

Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet

Distance: 7 Kilometers

Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)

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.

Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet

Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

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.

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 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)

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 Moshi.

Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet

Hiking time: 4 hours 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

 
Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

INCLUDES

  • Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport
  • Pre-& Post Trek accommodation at Moshi or Arusha
  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Portable toilets and toilets tents.
  • Hot Water for Wash

EXCLUDES

  • Flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • Tips to mountain crew
Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
  • Guide $15 – $20/guide/day
  • Cook $10 – $15/day
  • Porters $8 – $10/porter/day.

Enquire about this trip

Tell us your preferred travel dates and group size. Our local team will tailor the itinerary for you.

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