The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice
Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting
from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
WHY 6 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE
DAY 0:Arrival
You will be met at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and be driven to your hotel in Moshi. Your mountain guide will give
you a briefing of your upcoming climb while at your hotel. DAY 1:
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and an hour drive from Moshi to Umbwe Village (1,490 m/4,890 ft) where your guides and porters pack your equipment and supplies, and give you a lunch pack. You start your ascent at the small Umbwe Gate just above the village and follow a gentle winding vehicle track for an hour to a signboard that announces the small steep Umbwe trail. The introduction is over, and you now climb up for several hours through a dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees. In places, you must scamper up steep sections of roots and rock. The Umbwe Camp is in the forest, and there are some caves nearby.
You will be greeted here with a graciously served hot meal.
DAY 2:
Your day starts early with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. After breakfast, you will climb steeply through thinning forest glades to Giant Erica, Heather, and drier air. You continue up a ridge that drops steeply on both sides, and hopefully, the clouds will part to reward you with a view of Uhuru Peak looming overhead. After lunch, you enter a zone of giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari) that seem to guard the heights, and this garden is
one of Kilimanjaro’s special treasures.
DAY 3:
In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; 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. After an early dinner,
go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. This short day is very important
for your acclimatization, since your summit push is about to start.
DAY 5:
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You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.
After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!
DAY 6:
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don’t give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached UhuruPeak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night in the hotel.
DAY 7: Depart Tanzania
This day will have an open agenda. You may want to simply wind down at the hotel or spend some time exploring Moshi before heading to the airport. As well, you may want to add a safari or a trip to Zanzibar on to your African adventure.
GROUP SIZE
AMOUNT(US DOLLAR)
1 Person
$1950
2-4 People
$1850
5-7 People
$1800
8-10 People
$1750
PRICE INCLUDES
Transfers:
Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Entry fees:
Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees,
vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Accommodation:
Accommodation at hotel one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season );
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition,
we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups,
garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
Comfortable sleeping mats;
All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Private portable Toilet.
Climbing crew:
Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification.
All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
Taxes:
18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy.
PRICE EXCLUDE
International flights;
Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
Personal gear rentals;
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
Peak Climbers Adventures was begun with an experience and an expertise that goes back
many years in the tourism industry. The founder has been organizing tours since 2003.