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Umbwe Route - From $1,250 Per Person

The local Chagga people who farm on the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro have always revered the mountain and trekked up and down many times in search for medicine herbs and plants. In 1889, the first Europeans reached the summit with a help from the local guides and porters. The climb is definitely a physical challenge with many risks involved, but if you are reasonably fit and aware of conditions which may occur, trekking Kilimanjaro will be an experience of your lifetime! In 1976, an 11-year-old made it to the summit, and in 1988, an 88-year-old reached the Uhuru peak!

Here are presented the standard Mt. Kilimanjaro Umbwe Treks, which cover the same route but differ in the number of days.  Umbwe Route is a route suitable for more experienced trekkers so long as they avoid rushing up, which could limit their of success. Altitude-gain on this route is quite rapid. It is a six day trek and more difficult than the Machame-Mweka Route. It is steep, strenuous and direct route to Uhuru Peak, however it is very scenic. Mud and ice can be expected at any time of the year. Descent is along the Mweka Route.

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Trekking Itinerary

Our driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for pick up and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at your arranged Hotel

  • Hotel Bed & Breakfast

Machame gate for permit (1790m) – Umbwe gate (1800m) – Umbwe Cave (3000m)

The climb starts from Umbwe Gate, where the path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. There is no water available at this campsite, so we must carry from the gate all the water needed for drinking, food preparation and cleaning.

  • Distance covered: 9.5km / 6.7mi
  • Approx. time taken: 6hours – 7hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Umbwe Cave (3000m) to Barronco Camp (3960m)

The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest along the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp situated in the valley. In this camp you will meet with other trekkers from Machame route and Lemosho route. Therefore the population will be bigger.

  • Distance covered: 7.5km / 4.9mi
  • Approx. time taken: 5 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

  • Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
  • Approx. time taken: 5 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

  • Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
  • Approx. time taken: 3 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.

  • Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
  • Approx. time taken: 13hours – 15hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.

  • Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
  • Approx. time taken: 3 hours
  • Hotel: Bed &Breakfast
Depart Moshi

Congratulations is in order, you successfully reached the summit of Africa’s tallest mountain and now its back to reality. This day is spent on your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to begin your safari or you might be opting to relax in Zanzibar, so a quick flight might be the next steps. If so, our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

  • Meals: Breakfast Included

Price From $1,250 PP:

  • Private pick up and drop off at KRO (JRO)
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation
  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Portable toilets and toilets tents.
  • Hot Water For Wash
  • Flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • Tips to mountain crew