Umbwe Route
What makes this route different?
Overview
Umbwe is known as the hardest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, being a shorter more challenging route. Due to the fast ascension, this route does not provide the enough time for altitude acclimatisation so proceeding slowly is vital. This route merges along the way with Machame route, Lemosho route and Shira route.
The Umbwe Route is filled with beautiful rainforest landscapes and moorland, with rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation.
The beauty of this routes arguably makes the difficulty level worth it, bringing more and more magic with each day.
ITINERARY
Day 1
From hotel to Umbwe cave campsite.
Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 2850m.
Distance: 10 km.
Hiking time: 4-5+ hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
Pick up with our vehicle from the hotel, drive to Umbwe gate.
Here after completing the gate registration procedures, the trek starts through the rainforest to Umbwe cave campsite where you will find all tents already setup then stop for dinner and overnight. Today you will walk across ridges and valleys into a really thick forest.
Umbwe cave campsite to Barranco hut campsite.
Elevation: 2850m to 3950m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 4-5+ hours
Habitat: Montane forest and heather
This day after breakfast you will trek through the remaining forest to the moorland and heath zone and you will be enjoying some wonderful views of Barranco valleys and ice cap on top of the mountain.
Then you will arrive to Barranco camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Day 3
Barranco campsite to Karanga campsite.
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5+ hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is short day walk.
In the morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch.
Karanga campsite full rest day.
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There will be a chance for an acclimatization walk up the scree slopes towards the southern ice field.
Day 4
Day 5
Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3900m to 4620m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
On this day, the trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude.
The walk takes a few hours because of the short distance but will be steep, needing a slow pace to avoid fatigue.
You will trek across an alpine desert.
Chances are that a strong, cold wind will be blowing from Kibo peak.
You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when we you will attack the summit.
Day 6
Barafu Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp
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Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 - 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent.
The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise.
The trail is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, to reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM.
At this point you will have views of the fabled crater and its glaciers.
Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak.
Here you will spend some time taking photos, then you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite.
Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.
Day 7
Mweka campsite to Mweka gate.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain.
After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest.
This descent will take 3-4 hours.
Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
What's included?
What's not included?
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Accommodation (two nights) at Panama hotel in Moshi F/B.
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7 Days park Entrance fees
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6 night camping fees
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7 Days rescue fees
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7 Days Tanzania Government VAT tax.
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Food 3 meals everyday on the mountain.
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Camping equipment such as normal tents, tables, chairs.
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Chemical toilet.
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Salaries to all porters, Cook, Assistant Guide and Chief guide
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Transfer to Umbwe gate and return to Moshi after the climb.
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Transfer from JRO to Hotel and return
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Small company first aid kit.
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Oxygen tank supply in case of emergence.
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Oxymeter.
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Tip for the supporting crew.
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Personal things.
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Drinks at your hotel.
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Any flight.