Overview
Upon your arrival you will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) with our representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do the equipment final check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. This Umbwe is the most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. This route became famous when it was featured in the dramatic IMAX film Kilimanjaro - To the Roof of Africa. On the Umbwe, you pass through strange landscapes as you climb through five climate zones ranging from rainforest to the summit's glaciers. The route follows a forested ridge to the moorlands, then traverses below the southern icefields to reach the Machame Route, which you follow to the summit. This steep, tough, and in places slightly exposed trek is suitable for a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. Because of the route's steepness, it is seldom used, and trekking poles are useful on the steep, slippery slopes in the rainforest. All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and a cook prepares all your meals. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Umbwe you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. You can add an extra day to your itinerary to explore or relax along the route (best taken at the Barranco Camp).
Day by day
Day 1 — UMBWE GATE (1800M) TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP (2850M)
Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 6-7 hours Habitat: Montane Forest In the morning you will leave your hotel as we drive you to Umbwe gate. After arriving, and finishing registration for your climb, the porters and guides will make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Umbwe Cave Camp. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places, so be very careful. Hike through the moss-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. Meals: Full Board.
Day 2 — UMBWE CAVE CAMP (2850M) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3950M)
Distance: 7 km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, you head out towards Barranco Camp. This day entails walking on a fairly steep area in the forest along a sharp ridge before the path flattens close to Barranco. This stretch of the climb is also fairly short with a steep incline of 1000m, so walking slowly is also very essential to avoid altitude problems. Following lunch, the path gets rockier and vegetation changes as the path steadily climbs before (finally!) a short downhill to arrive at Barranco Camp. Meals: Full Board.
Day 3 — BARRANCO CAMP (3950M) TO KARANGA CAMP (4200M)
Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, and finally, we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp. Meals: Full Board.
Day 4 — KARANGA CAMP (4200M) TO BARAFU CAMP (4600M)
Distance: 4km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descending from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it. Meals: Full Board.
Day 5 — BARAFU CAMP (4600M) TO SUMMIT UHURU PEAK (5895M) TO MWEKA CAMP (3100M).
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent Habitat: Arctic An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point (5739m), from where we have further hour to summit Uhuru peak. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. After a short stop for taking photos celebrations a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment of a lifetime adventure. Later on, descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka camp in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Meals: Full Board.
Day 6 — MWEKA CAMP (3100M) TO MWEKA GATE. (1600M)
Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest After breakfast at the Mweka camp, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. Our representative will meet you at the gate and drive you back to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Meals: Full Board.
Included
Two nights' accommodation at Hotel in Moshi double or triple occupancy (before and after the climb) The first night includes breakfast Last night includes dinner & breakfast Qualified guides with mountain crew National park fees Hut/camping fees and tents Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils. Rescue fees (required by the National Park) Pulse oximeters First aid kit Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries Boiled water on the mountain Airport transfers (JRO - Kilimanjaro International Airports) All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner) Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation, and entry fees on the mountain
Not included
Single rooms supplement at Hotel. Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips Meals and drinks not specified Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags) Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent. See our rental price list. Car Supplement USD$145 per car for clients who go through Lemosho/Rongai/Shira Routes Items of personal nature (expenses) Emergency Oxygen Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit). Visa fees & travel insurance. Flight tickets.