6 Days Umbwe Trail Kilimanjaro Mountain

ITINERARY

Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp

Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The day begins with 1 hour drive to Machame Gate where registration formalities will be completed. 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
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
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 Campsite through the strange but beautiful Senecio Follows.

Day 3: Barranco camp - lava tower

Acclimatazation Day
This will be acclimatization day. After a late breakfast you will start hiking from Barranco to lava tower in which you will go high and come down to sleep lower. It will take about 3-4 hours walk and back to Barranco for late hot lunch. Enjoy the rest of the day in this wall. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
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 steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. In this day you will have hot lunch at Karanga Camp. After a short rest you will go for acclimatization. Walk to the scree slopes towards the Southern Ice Fields. This will increase our chance of reaching Freedom Point Uhuru Peak.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After late breakfast we leave Karanga Camp and 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 night. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
We will wake up at midnight for hot drinks and start ascending to the summit.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
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 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka gate

Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation: Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to hotel in Moshi

UMBWE ROUTE FAQ

What is the success rate of the Umbwe route?
What is the success rate of the Umbwe route? Considered to be the most difficult route on Kilimanjaro, the Umbwe route should be attempted only by experienced climbers. The success rate of the route is between 60% and 70%, with higher chances of reaching the summit if you give yourself extra time for acclimatization.

How long is the Umbwe route?
What is the distance of the Umbwe Route and how many days does it take? The exact trekking distance for the Umber Route is 53km or 32 miles. The shortest number of days required for the Umbwe Route is 5 days, It's a Shorter ascents with strenuous trekking days.

What is the Scenery like on the Umbwe Route?
The first two days of the Umbwe Route trek are through tree plantations and then beautiful and rich rain forest, before continuing into the steep Western Breach and Arrow’s Glacier path, scramble up to the Reutsch Crater (5,800 meters) where trekkers spend the night near one of Kilimanjaro’s last remaining glaciers, Furtwangler Glacier.
From Crater Camp, one can take an optional one hour hike to Reusch Crater, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Reusch Crater is a magnificent sight. It is almost perfectly circular and the ash pit measures 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide. This is rarely seen by tourists.

When is the best time to Trek Umbwe Route?
July-September is the best time to trek the Umbwe Route, as the weather is most stable during this period and encountering rain is less likely. That said, since it is close to the equator it is possible to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and May is the rainy season so this period is best avoided.

• GROUP SIZE (US-Dollar)
• 1 Person $ 1950
• 2-4 People $ 1870
• 5-7 People $ 1800
• 8-10 People $ 1720
• 10 ++People $ 1650

Price Include

• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Camping fees.
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
• Hot water for washing.
• Government taxes
• Emergency first-aid kit.

Price Exclude

• Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
• Travel insurance.
• Flights.
• Laundry (Available at hotel).
• Personal items and toiletries.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain.