6 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE

Overview

The Umbwe route is the most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru peak. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up to Mountain Kilimanjaro. Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for attitude acclimatization due to quick ascent. It can be done from 5 + days but best done in 6 or 7 days. The route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize.

ITINERARIES

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Meal: dinner and breakfast included

Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in 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)

Approx. hiking time: 4-6 hours

Distance covered: 11 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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 your .  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.

Day 3: Umbwe Camp (2850 m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)

Approx. hiking time: 4 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: Montane Forest/ Moorland

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

During walking in Montane Forest, 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.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3900 m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)

Approx. hiking time: 4 hours

Distance covered: 6 km

Habitat: alpine desert

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner Included

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.

Day 5: Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barrafu Camp (4600 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3 hours

Distance covered: 4 km

Habitat: alpine desert

Meal: breakfast and lunch included

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.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640 m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Mweka Camp (3100 m)

Approx. hiking time: 14 hours

Distance covered: 16 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Approx. hiking time: 3 hours

Distance covered: 10 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meal: breakfast and lunch Included

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!

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 Habari Adventure can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park.

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.

   END OF TOUR.

PRICING

Prices (quoted in USD/per person)

6 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE

GROUP SIZE

PRICE PER PERSON

 

1 person

 

 $ 1,800/person

2-4 people

 

 $ 1,600/person

5-9 people

 

 $ 1,500/person

10 + people

 

 $ 1,400/person

Included in the price:

  • Two nights hotel
  • Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
  • Qualified guides with mountain crew
  • National park fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees and services
  • All camping accommodations
  • Mountain tents
  • Transport
  • Rescue fees
  • All needs on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Guides and porters accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
  • Pulse oximeter
  • First aid kit
  • Emergence oxygen
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping mats
  • Katady filtered water through the trek
  • Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park authority

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Items of personal nature
  • Laundry services
  • A doctor of a group
  • Portable flush toilet