7 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Umbwe Route
Tour Highlight
The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route. The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize. However, overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended and we discourage its usage for our clients.
Tour Plan
At 8am leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places.Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival.
- Elevation: 1,800m/5,905ft to 2,850m/9,350ft
- Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
- Distance: ~11 km
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (steep and slippery in places)
- Habitat: Cloud forest, moss-covered trees, heathers, tall grasses, wildflowers
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
- Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft to 3,900m/12,960ft
- Hiking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
- Distance: ~8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Moorland, giant senecios, lobelias
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
This day is designed mainly Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your success rate of making it to the top. We will have a small hike to Lava Tower approximately 3hrs to 4hrs for two ways.
- Elevation: 3,900m/12,800ft
- Hiking Time: N/A (Rest and Acclimatization)
- Distance: N/A
- Difficulty: N/A
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.
- Elevation: 3,900m/12,960ft to 3,995m/13,780ft
- Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
- Distance: ~5 km
- Difficulty: Moderate (scramble up Barranco Wall)
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.
- Elevation: 3,995m/13,780ft to 4,673m/15,100ft
- Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
- Distance: ~4 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Millenium Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
- Elevation: 4,673m/15,100ft to 5,895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3,950m/10,170ft (Millenium Camp)
- Hiking Time: 8-10 hours to Uhuru Peak, then 3-5 hours to Mweka Camp
- Distance: ~18 km total
- Difficulty: Very Difficult (steep ascent to summit)
- Habitat: Arctic summit zone, then descent through alpine desert to moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.
- Elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft to 1,500m/4,920ft
- Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
- Distance: ~10 km
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (downhill)
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Included/Exclude
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Mountain crew (cook, summit porter& porters)
- Overnight stays in tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, chairs, etc.)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water, tea & coffee
- Oxygen tank and oximeters
- All national park fees
- Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back
- International or Local Flights
- Optional activities
- Accommodation
- Passport and Visa fees
- Tip
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
- Travel Documents (Yellow Fever Certificate etc.)
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