Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
Mt Kilimanjaro Climb: Umbwe Route
Days: 6
Difficulty: Difficult
Activity: Hiking/Trekking
Kilimanjaro Altitude: 19,341 feet (5,895 meters)
When to climb Kilimanjaro: January to March, June to October
Closest airport to Kilimanjaro: Kilimanjaro airport (JRO)
Packing for Kilimanjaro, summit day tips, preparing for the cold, preventing altitude sickness, taking diamox, the tipping guide for the porters, and information on the toilets on the trail can be found on the Kilimanjaro Packing List. For Kilimanjaro airport, airlines, baggage allowance, Tanzanian Visa, travel insurance, currency, mosquitoes, tipping, when to climb Kilimanjaro, what trail to choose when climbing Kilimanjaro and other info related to Africa: View the African destination guide. For after climb relaxation, consider the white sand beaches of Zanzibar or an African safari in wildlife lodges.
Umbwe Route
The UMBWE ROUTE is the hardest, the shortest and the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. A tough uphill struggle is rewarded with views that many guides and porters insist are the best there are at Kilimanjaro.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Umbwe Gate 1800m- Umbwe Cave, Bivouac Camp OR The First Camp 2940m
You shall drive from your hotel in Moshi to Machame Gate where you shall complete all your registration formalities and continue to Umbwe Gate. From Umbwe Gate you ascend through forestry track before it narrows and steepness to climb a ridge between Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. This is the steepest part of the entire trek. Eventually after hours of this exhausting exercise, and again in altitude of 1050 approximately, you reach a rocky overhang. This is Umbwe Cave (2940m) a popular first night campsite with plenty of water sources available.
Day 2 - Umbwe Cave-Bivouac camp 2940m – Barranco Hut 3860m
Roughly 45 minutes after breaking camp, you emerge from the forest gloom onto the heather, to be presented with two awesome sights. The breathtaking Breach Wall – all 1000m of it – and the glory of the Kibo summit. Sighting of Lammergeyer are quite common. F rom the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Camp. The Barranco Camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset. Finally the gradient eases and the day is spent ambling through moorland vegetation to the Barranco Hut Campsite nestling on your right time to enjoy your dinner and camp overnight
Day 3 - (ACCLIMATIZATION DAY) Barranco Camp (3840m) – Karanga Campsite (4200m)
After Breakfast, you will depart from Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley at 4200m and it is the LAST WATER STOP as you shall not find water at the Barafu Camp.. Here, one gets a better chance to view the glaciers at a very near distance. You shall have hot Lunch at Karanga Valley. After a short rest, you can view the Mawenzi Slopes as well as the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms. (TPC) with a short walk to see the sedimentary rocks which sound like iron when stepped on and return to the Karanga Valley Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 - Karanga valley Campsite (4200m) – Barafu Camp (4600m)
After Breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Valley campsite at (4200m), for the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views for the summit from many different angles. there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids Here you can, rest, enjoy dinner and go to bed for a few hours of your precious sleep.
Day 5 - Barafu Camp – (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3100m)
Early morning, you continue towards the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want Gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp at 3100m, is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected during the late afternoon. This part of the descent takes about 7 to8 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.
Day 6 - Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1500m)
After Breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.
What's Included:
Transfers in Tanzania
Climbing and trekking permits
Park fees, hut fees, and camping fees
Cook, dining tent, table, chairs and latrine tent
Camping equipment
Accommodations and meals for the hike
Drinking water on trail
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon teas and 3 dinners
Qualified porters to carry supplies and camping equipment
Qualified local guides with mountain rescue first aid course
Emergency evacuation to local hospital if needed
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What's Not Included:
Tips
View Kilimanjaro Packlist for packing, tipping guideline and preparation tips.