This Package includes the 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking via Umbwe Route.
ABOUT UMBWE ROUTE
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.
Accommodation:
Meal: Bed & Breakfast
overnight stay.
Moshi - Kilimanjaro White House Hotel
After breakfast, you will be driven to the Machame gate where registration formalities will be completed. From there, we proceed to the Umbwe Gate (1641m), passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpse of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Hiking time: 6 Hours
Distance: Approximately 10.3 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Camp
Shortly after leaving the camp the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, you will have sightings of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared. Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 6.3 km •Habitat: Moorland
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.3 km
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall, we make our way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Habitat: Moorland / Semi desert
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we turn left up the ridge and the route ascend 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.
The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.4km
Habitat: Alpine desert
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Most climbers find the 6-hour walk to Stella point as the most mentally and physically challenging.
At Stella Point (5739m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions but it’s best not to stop for too long as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Hiking time :7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Accommodation: Barafu Camp.
It will be a short 4-to-6-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make the descent longer than planned. At Mweka gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch. Afterwards, we drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebration.
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Distance: Approximately 8.5km
Accommodation:
Meal: Bed & Breakfast
overnight stay.
Moshi - Kilimanjaro White House Hotel
| Airport pickup and Drop up | 50 USD Per Person |
|---|---|
| 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking | Overnight in Tents | 1600 USD Per Person /7 days |
| 2 Days Hotel Accommodations | Meals – Bed and Break Fast | 50 USD Per Person/2 Nights |
| PACKAGE INCLUDES: | PACKAGE EXCLUDES: |
|---|---|
| 1. Entry Park Fees | Local and International flights |
| 2. Experienced Professional Tour guide | Tips (Gratituities) to Guides, Cook and Porters. |
| 3. All taxes | Mountain Climbing Gears |
| 4. Crew Wages | Medical insurance |
| 5. Cook and Porters | visa |
| 6. 5 Breakfast, 6 Lunch and 5 Dinner While on Mountain | |
| 7. Sanitizer | |
| 8. Airport pick-up & Drop up & Hotel (2-nights Hotel Before & after Mountain) |