7 days, 6 nights Umbwe Route

Umbwe route is considered the most challenging route of Mount Kilimanjaro. A short steep climb, traversing all climate zones – from tropical rainforest to eternal ice – This route will put your physical and mental toughness to the test. Once you reach Barranco Hut the trail merge with the Machame route and the descent down is by the Mweka trail. The hikers in this route spending overnight camping.

This route can be done in 6 days or 7 days for an extra day for better acclimatization.

This route recommended only to experienced trekkers in good physical shape, who has some experience with high altitude.

INCLUSIONS

All the transfers to the mountain gate and back to your accommodation

Professional, experienced and English speakers (you can request for other language) mountain guides, mountain porters (according to group size) and a professional cook

Government park fees (with 18% VAT), including entrance fees, rescue fees, accommodation fees

Waterproof, four-season high quality mountain sleeping tents (twin tents)

Quality mess tents with table and chairs

Warm sleeping bags

Sleeping mattress

Emergency oxygen cylinder

3 meals a day during the trek days, according to client’s preferences (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Clean, purified drinking water (unlimited supply)

EXCLUSIONS

International and local flights

Tanzania visa

Surcharge for payment by credit card (5% on each payment)

Surcharge for cash withdrawal charged by the banks

Accommodations before and after the trek (available as extra addition)

Airport transfers (available as extra addition)

Traveling insurance

Tips and gratitudes

Personal hiking equipment such as hiking boots, clothes etc. (available for renting)

Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, beverages)

Day 0 : Breafing Day

If you just arrived in Kilimanjaro airport one day or more before the trek and you choose to use transfer service, we will pick you up from the airport directly to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi.

A day before the hike used for briefing about the whole trek. Checking of the equipments and everything regarding the hike, Meeting with the Head guide to answer all of your questions etc. so it is advised to arrive at least one day before the hike for all the arrangements etc

Day 1 : Umbwe Gate To Umbwe Camp

After breakfast at your accommodation in Moshi/Arusha, driving to Umbwe gate (around 1 hour ride from Moshi and 3-4 hours from Arusha). Once you reach the gate, your head guide will finalize the permits and registrations.

On the first day of the hike you will hike through a thick rainforest on a pretty steep trail. You will stop for a lunch along the way (lunch box), and then you will get to Umbwe camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 1,640m/5,380ft at Umbwe gate to 2,930m/9,613ft at Umbwe camp

Walking distance: 11km/6.83 miles

Estimate walking time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Day 2 : Umbwe Camp To Baranco Camp

After breakfast at Umbwe campsite, we will start hiking. Soon we will leave the rainforest terrain and we will move into the open moorland terrain, and if it is not too cloudy, you will be able to see Meru Volcano. Around lunchtime we suppose to get to Baranco Camp, which is situated inside a huge volcanic fault. You will eat lunch, rest and spend overnight at Baranco camp.

Elevation: 2,930m/9,613ft at Umbwe camp to 3,960m/12,992ft at Baranco Camp

Walking distance: 6km/3.7 miles

Estimate walking time: 4-5 hours

Day 3 : Staying At Baranco Camp

Acclimatization and resting day. Let your body essential rest after 2 challenging days. Also to get use to the high altitude, what will pay off later in trek.

Day 4 : Baranco Camp To Karanga Camp

After breakfast you will leave Baranco camp, keep on ascending on the steep ridge through Baranco wall, approximately it takes around 1 hour to climb the wall and you may need to use your hands occasionally but don’t be over concerned as the wall is not dangerous. At the summit of the wall the road drifts and leads you to the Karanga valley camp. You will rest, dinner and overnight at Karanga camp.

Elevation: 3,900m/12,795ft at Baranco camp, 3,995m/13,106ft at Karanga camp.

Walking distance: 6kms/ 3.7 miles

Estimate walking time: 5-6 hours.

Day 5 : Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

After breakfast, continuing to ascend and on the way you hit the junction which connects with Mweka trail. You continue ascending to Barafu camp. At this point you will may be able to see the summit of Uhuru peak from different angles. You will rest at Barafu camp, eat dinner and prepare for summit hike.

Elevation: 3,995m/13,106ft at Karanga to 4,673m/ 15,331ft at Barafu camp.

Walking distance: 4kms/ 2.48 miles

Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours.

Habitat: Moorland and Alpine desert

Day 6 : Barafu Camp To Summit To Mweka Camp

Wake up very early in the morning (midnight to 2am) and continue ascending to the summit, on the way you reach at Stella point at 5,745m on the edge of Kibo crater. The trail is steep and slow, from Stella point to Uhuru peak it takes around 45 minutes, passing through glaciers and snowfields. And then you have arrived at the highest point of Africa, Uhuru peak at 5895m! After resting, taking some pictures you start descending back down to Barafu camp, eat breakfast and relax a bit before continue descending all the way to Mweka camp, where you can take a rest, dinner and overnight at Mweka camp.

Elevation: 4,673m/ 15,331ft at Barafu camp, Uhuru point at 5,895m/ 19,340ft and 3,100m/10,170ft at Mweka camp

Walking distance: 5 km/3 miles Ascending and 12km/7.5 miles descending

Estimate walking time: 7- 8 hours ascending and 4-6 descending

Habitat: Arctic at the summit

Day 7 : Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate To Moshi/Arusha

After breakfast at Mweka camp, you continue descending all the way to Mweka gate where you will receive your certificate if you manage to reach some points such as Stella point and Uhuru Point. The car will be waiting at the gate to take you back to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi.

Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles

Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours