7 days Kilimanjaro Umbwe route Overview
Umbwe route is short, steep, and direct. 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 by our clients
Day 1: UMBWE GATE (1,800M/5,905FT) TO CAVE BIVOUAC CAMP (2,850M/9,350FT)
The First Day Of Your 7 days Kilimanjaro Umbwe route
Elevation Gain:1,050 meters, 3,445 feet
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Early morning leave Moshi/Arusha 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 most 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.
Day 2: CAVE BIVOUAC (2,850M/9,350FT) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3,950M/12,960FT)
Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
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 giant senecios and lobelias surround it. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
Day 3: BARRANCO CAMP (3,900 M/12,800 FT)
Extra Day for Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: BARRANCO CAMP (3,950M/12,960FT) TO KARANGA VALLEY (4,200M/13,780FT)
Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet
Distance: 7 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
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.
DAY 5: KARANGA VALLEY (4,200M/13,780FT) TO BARAFU CAMP (4,600M/15,100FT)
Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
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 an 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.
Day 6: BARAFU CAMP (4,600M/15,100FT) TO UHURU PEAK (5,895M/19,340FT) TO MWEKA CAMP (3,100M/10,170FT)
Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
Hiking time: 6 hours to the rim, 1 hour to Uhuru, 3 to 4 hours back to Barafu, 4 hours to Mweka
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 Mweka 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.
DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP (3,100M/10,170FT) TO MWEKA GATE (1,500M/4,920FT)
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
Hiking time: 4 hours
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/Arusha to continue with your schedule
Marking The End Of Your 7 days Kilimanjaro Umbwe route.
INCLUDED
Safety Equipment:
• Mobile phones – carried by the head guide and all assistant guides, for daily communications with our base in Arusha. For any emergency
• Stretcher (and convertible litter)
• Comprehensive medical/first aid kits
MOUNTAIN CREW:
• Professional Mountain Guides, all head guides (at least 1 per trip) currently certified by NOLS USA as WFR (Wilderness First Responder)
• Ratio of at least one guide for every three guests, to ensure personalized attention.
• Cooks and Porters
MOUNTAIN ENTRY FEES:
• Park Fees
• Campsite fees
• Emergency Rescue Fees
CAMPING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER GEARS:
• 4-season Mountain sleeping tents (a triple tent used as a double or single (with supplement), each tent with a custom-made groundsheet covering both vestibules, to allow clean & dry storage of gear, and keep water, mud, or dust from entering the tent.
• Foam Camping Mat
• Large weatherproof dining tent, at night the tent is lit with candlelight, This tent is used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if the weather does not allow it.
• Aluminum dining tables and chairs, for all meals.
MOUNTAIN MEALS
• *Three meals a day, we produce and prepare delicious and energizing meals necessary for high-altitude mountain trekking.
• Snakes & bites
• Tea and coffee
• Mineral water
TRANSPORT
• Transfer from the hotel to the starting point
• Transfer from the last point to the hotel
NOT INCLUDED
Accommodation upon arrival and last day
Tips for mountain guide, recommended 15-20 per group per day
Porters 5 – 10$ per porter per group per day
Personal expenses
Personal items
Personal insurance/travel insurance
Personal medicines/first aid kit
Personal trekking gears
Sleeping bag
N.B
We offer high-quality rental gear/ trekking clothing like sleeping bags, Gore-Tex outerwear, warm layers, trekking poles, Trekking shoes etc.…
PRICE PER PERSON PER TWO PEOPLE: FROM 2,308$ TO 2,320$