The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail follows the southern circuit to the summit. The descent is done via the Mweka route.
Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are also confident of their ability to acclimatize to altitude.
Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low.
The route is offered at a minimum of six days, and seven days is preferred when attempting to climb using Umbwe. The seven day itinerary includes a rest day at Barranco Camp.
DAY 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro
International Airport you will be picked up by our Snow Peak Adventure and Safari representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha /Moshi town, afterward your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Then overnight and dinner in the hotel.
DAY 2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) to Umbwe Camp (2850m)
• Distance covered: 11 km
• Hiking time : 5-6 hrs
• Altitude gained :
• Habitat: Montane rainforest
After breakfast in your hotel in Moshi, you will be driven to the Umbwe gate (1800m), you will enjoying bananas plantation upon arrival at the parks gate. After registration formalities you will start to accomplish the first step of a lifelong dream. The scenic Umbwe route initially follows a forestry track winding up through a natural rain forest. Afterwards of then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers with huge trees surrounding you. Your first camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
Accommodation : Umbwe cave Camp ( in the tents )
DAY 3: Umbwe Camp (2850 m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)
• Distance : 7 km ( Steep )
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs
• Altitude gained : 1050 m
• Habitat: Montane Forest/ Moorland
During walking in Montane rainforest, shortly after leaving the camp, the forest will start thinning and is eventually replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss covered trees. The path continues further along a spectacular ridge. As you gain higher attitude catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you-etched against the blue sky. As you approach the Barranco Valley, the path flattens. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and great Barranco wall, which should provide you a memorable sunset while your dinner is prepared.
Meals : Breakfast, lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Barranco Camp ( in the tents )
DAY 4: Barranco Camp (3900 m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)
• Distance : 6 km
• Hiking time : 4-5 hrs
• Altitude gained : 100 m
• Habitat: alpine desert
After breakfast we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle which turn to be easier than it looks. At the top of Barranco wall you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley camp site. From the camp you can look east and see the jugged peaks of Mawenzi. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. This short day is very important for you acclimatization since your summit push is about to start.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Karanga Camp ( in the tents )
DAY 5: Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barrafu Camp (4600 m)
• Distance : 4 km
• Hiking time : 2-3 hrs
• Altitude gained : 672 m
• Habitat: alpine desert
Another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in the camp; this is advantageous as it will allow plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and sometimes strong winds rip over this camp. In the evening you get spending views of Mawenzi peak. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for evening.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Barafu Camp ( in the tents)
DAY 6: Barafu Camp (4640 m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Mweka Camp (3100 m)
• Distance : 5 km Ascent/ 12 km Descent
• Hiking time : 5-6 hrs up / 6-7 hrs down
• Altitude gained/ Lost : 1175 m / 2795 m
• Habitat : Summit/ Moorland zone
We will wake up around midnight and some light tea with cookies will be ready for you. We will climb scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The view is spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5756 m) during sunrise. Then after a cup of tea we will keep moving to UHURU PEAK (5895 m) and taking some photos for a few minutes before start descending to Barafu Camp for some rest and lunch, then walk down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Accommodation : Mweka Camp ( in the tents )
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
• Distance : 10 km
• Hiking time : 3-4 hrs
• Altitude lost :
• Habitat : Montane Rainforest
Walk down the Mweka montane forest to Mweka Gate for 3 hours, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates. A car will be ready to drive you back to the hotel for warm shower at Moshi. It’s definitely time to celebrate!
Meal : Breakfast and Lunch included
Accommodation : Hotel in Arusha/ Moshi town
DAY 8: Departure / other destination in Tanzania
Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home bound flight. Also Snow Peak Adventure and Safari can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Tarangire National Park.
END OF YOUR TOUR
KARIBU TANZANIA
NOTE: The above Itinerary is a recommendation only and can be customized by adding extra days or reduce some days according to your preferences. Via Umbwe Route you can also summit through Barafu Camp and Arrow glacier. Though Arrow Glacier needs Special permits
| 1PAX | 2 – 4PAX | 5 – 7PAX | 8 & Above |
| $ 1960 | $ 1740 | $ 1620 | $ 1520 |
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