6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Umbwe Route

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Tour Overview

The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.

Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Safari Moja Matata offers Umbwe as a six or seven-day private climb. The seven-day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp.

Tour Type

Kilimanjaro Climbing

Duration

6 days

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate - Umbwe gate - Umbwe Cave Campsite.

After breakfast we travel from the hotel to Machame gate for registration and get a permit paper then we drive to umbwe gate. At umbwe gate we will weigh our bags and complete normal formalities before start climb to umbwe cave campsite. We will walk through the rain forest, ridges and valleys up to camp where dinner will be served at camp and we will overnight at camp.

Elevation: 800m – 1800m – 2850m
Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: mountain forest

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Campsite - Baranco Campsite

On this day after breakfast we will climb through the remaining part of the thick forest to the moorland and heath zone enjoying the beautiful Baranco valleys and the Baranco wall. Here we meet and join other groups from Machame route, Lemosho route and Shira route we will have dinner at the camp as usually.

Elevation: 2850m – 3900m
Distance: 10 Km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: montane forest and heather.

Day 3: Baranco Campsite - Karanga Campsite

After breakfast we start to climb towards Baranco wall 4200m across ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite. Here we will take a lunch and nap. In the evening you will have a briefing about the next day and dinner with your guide.

Elevation: 3900m – 4200m -3995m
Distance: 6km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: moorland

Day 4 :Karanga Camp - Barafu Campsite

From Karanga campsite the trek is tough to barafu campsite due to altitude. The distance is short but steep the pace is slow. Here you will be served lunch and get briefing before taking a nap. Dinner will be served early then you will take a rest before midnight when will start our final climb to the highest peak of Africa ( uhuru peak) .

Elevation: 3995 – 4673m
Distance: 4km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert.

Day 5: Barafu Hut camp/ Uhuru peak/ Mweka Campsite

Here we wake up at midnight you are served a light breakfast before we start for the summit. The aim of starting at midnight before dawn is to make you be able to climb to the summit because the trail is steep up to Stella point 5756m, at this point you will start to view the glacier, crater and sunrise before reaching uhuru peak which will take us almost an hours walk. We will have a moment of taking pictures depending on the weather and physical conditions. After this it’s our descending back to barafu campsite for a short nap followed with lunch and getting ready to go down to Mweka campsite. At Mweka camp you will be provided with a small basin of hot water and delicious meals before sleeping.

Elevation: 4673m – 5895m – 3100 m
Distance: 17.5km
Hiking time: 10-12 hours
Habitat: alpine desert and glacier

Day 6: Mweka Campsite - Mweka Gate

On this morning we have a moment of celebrating after breakfast. The crew sing and dance to the guests/ friends traditional African songs/ Jambo songs to commemorate the trek. Here you have the chance to give tips to the guide, porter and cook for their service. After that we descend to Mweka gate where you will sign out and given your certificates then we will head directly to your hotel where you will take a long hot shower and a good rest.

Elevation: 3100m – 1800m
Distance: 10km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: mountain forest

Includes

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
18% VAT on tour fees & services
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
Government taxes
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
Emergency first-aid kit
Stethoscope
Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
Mountain climbing certificates