7 days Kilimanjaro Umbwe route

Home » 7 days Kilimanjaro Umbwe route

7 Days, 6 Nights

Price On Request

Tour 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

What to expect

Day by day

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)

You will be woken up e

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.

arly with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, and depart between 12:30 and 1 am. Temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to -10 F. (-
23 deg. C) just before dawn at Gillman’s Point, about 18,652 ft (5,685 m) on the crater rim. The winding scree path of the endless switchbacks will carry you through the night and at dawn, the spires of Mawenzi will stand out against the sun’s red glow beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will arrive at the crater rim near the Ratzel glacier. Once you reach Gillman’s Point, gather your strength for another 1.5-hour hike on a gentle slope around the crater rim to the highest point;
Uhuru Peak, at 19,340 feet (5,895m). After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree path to Kibo Hut for a rest, and descend further to Horombo Hut for the night.

Accommodation
Horombo Hut | FB

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.