KILIMANJARO – UMBWE ROUTE – 6 DAYS

6 Days Umbwe Route Trekking Tour + 2 nights’ hotel stay

We will start out trek to the Kilimanjaro Summit via Umbwe Route from the southern plains of the mountain. It is one of the shortest, steep, the most spectacular route and a direct way to reach to Uhuru Peak. The route follows the forested timberline to the moorland zone, then cut across below the southern ice fields and down the southern circuit to reach the Machame Route which joins the same scree to the summit. Many stages of this route are fairly steep suitable for an experienced mountain hiker able to tackle the steep trails with high altitude gains in a short distance. Your trekking poles will be useful on the steep and wet slopes in the rainforest. Hiking across the unique mountain landscapes as you will pass through the five climatic zones. There is a lot more to see from the rainforest zone to the summit’s glaciers. Our trek will take us to our final destination at the Umbwe Cave Camp where we will have a well prepared hot dinner and overnight.

Overnights on the 6-day Umbwe Route Trek will be in tents.

Itinerary:

Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi

Our representatives will be waiting to meet you at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) on your arrival with our transferring driver and drive to the Hotel in Moshi for relaxation and overnight. Upon your arrival, depending on time; your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel for a short briefing concerning the trip and conduct a quick equipment check should you require and trekking gear to be borrowed as soon as possible. Your trek will commence the next day morning for the most amazing adventure of a life time.

Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1800m / 5906ft) to Umbwe Cave Camp (2800m / 9187ft)

After breakfast in your hotel in Moshi, you will be driven to the Umbwe gate located at 1800m/ 5906ft elevation. You will be able to have a walk in the banana plantations or hang around outside the park gate souvenir shops upon arrival at the parks gate as we wait for the completion of the registration formalities. After completing the registration process, we will find ourselves deep in the heart of the dense rain forest as we climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers on our way to the first Camp at Umbwe Cave; situated at 2800m / 9187ft elevation. Your first day camp is perched between huge trees and thick bushes with the taste of nature surrounding you.

Distance: 10km/6.3miles

Duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 2:  Umbwe Cave Camp (2800m / 9187ft) to Barranco Camp (3940 / 12927ft)

Our second day trek will start early in the morning soon after breakfast. We will walk past the Montane Rain Forest shortly after leaving the camp; the forest will start to diminish and get replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and bedraggled with moss covered trees. The path continues upward along a spectacular ridge with wonderful views of the Kilimanjaro peak protruding majestically above the clouds.  As you approach the Barranco Camp across the valley below the great Barranco Wall where you can be able to catch a glimpse of the farewell sunset before you take a well prepared hot dinner and overnight.

Distance: 6km/3.8mi

Duration: 4-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 3: Barranco Camp (3940 / 12927ft) to Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft)

On this day, we will head towards the huge ravine called “The Great Barranco Wall”. The Great Barranco Wall divides us from the south eastern slopes of Kibo. The climb over the cliff of the Barranco Wall doesn’t involve any technical assistance but a long and strenuous task. Hiking below the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head across the Karanga valley to the Karanga Camp (set at 3963m) for a hot lunch and relaxation. For those who are able can take a late-afternoon acclimatization hike up to about 4200m then descending back to a lower elevation of 3963m at the Karanga Camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance: 6km/3.8mi

Duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 4: Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640m / 15,224ft)

Our day will begin with a set off on our hike to the Base Camp, The Barafu camp located at 4,640m / 15,224ft above sea level. We will hike passing through the scree slopes of the desolate plains with no vegetation cover. Heading to this highest elevation to the base camp will require a little more efforts to overcome the challenging altitude. Prior to arriving at the Barafu Camp you will have a well prepared hot lunch, spend the afternoon relaxing and take an early dinner soon before you take a quick night sleep as a long night and day is ahead of us. It is important to keep warm and hydrated. Our Guide will wake you up at around 11pm to start the final ascent to the “UHURU PEAK” sited at 5,895m / 19,341ft above sea level.

Distance: 4km/2.5mi

Duration: 3-4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,640m / 15,224ft) to UHURU PEAK (5895m / 19,341ft) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft)

Our final ascent will commence at midnight at around 11pm to 12pm respectively. We will begin with a hike along a steeply upward trail across the summit zone where you can catch a glimpse of the spectacular views of the Kilimanjaro glaciers. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5,739m) before the first rays of the sun find us. Our hike will last for about 5 – 6 to reach to the Stella Point, gaining an incredible height over a short distance. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Amazing ice cliffs amidst the crater surrounds us and the spectacular views of the Mawenzi peak and beyond are mind-blowing. Reaching to the Uhuru Peak 5,895m, you will take a few pictures with the signboard to keep the memory of your heroic achievement then descend down the same trail back to Stella point and down to the Barafu Camp for a hot meal and a little relaxation. After a short rest we will proceed in our descent down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance: 13.5km/8.4mi

Duration: 12-15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 6: Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft) to Mweka Gate (1600m / 5250ft)

On this last day of our hiking adventure, we will take a gentle descent down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates to enshrine your great achievement. Our driver will be waiting at the gate for a transfer back to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and a cup of coffee before having a big and well prepared celebration.

Distance: 13.5km/8.4mi

3Duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

We pledge to provide a strict standard of service to all of our climbs.

*For those having a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.