6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via umbwe Route
Overview
Daring experienced climbers seeking adventure and challenge will find just what they want on Umbwe. A short steep climb traversing all the climate zones – from tropical rainforest to eternal ice – will test your strength and endurance. Like no other route on Kilimanjaro Umbwe gives a sense of achievement to those who reach the summit.
Your first day on the mountain will start from Umbwe Gate and continue with a lengthy trek to the first camp on your way – Umbwe Camp. Despite the challenge that Umbwe poses to hikers, the well-thought-out location of camps will contribute to proper acclimatization.
The trek through the Umbwe trail is available only as a 6-day program. Recommended only to experienced hikers in good physical shape, as the Umbwe route difficulty is quite high for inexperienced trekkers.
Tour Plan
Your first day trekking is meant to bring you to Umbwe Camp for your first mountain overnight. Climbing up to 2,930 m is a long haul with a significant increase in altitude, so find the right pace for the whole group and stick with it. As this part of Umbwe route goes through rainforest with its probability of rain showers- do not forget your raincoat.
This day starts with an early wake-up and filling breakfast before your team starts the trek to Barranco Camp.
The rainforest will quickly give way to moorland, and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see Meru Volcano for the first time.
This day’s trek is moderate in length and around lunchtime it is expected that you will reach Barranco Camp (3,900m/12795f), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault.
Lunch will be provided here, and then you will have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day, which significantly facilitates the acclimatization process.
This day begins with another early wake-up and a filling breakfast before your group starts to climb Barranco Wall. We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid other groups and crowds on the way, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to go on an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter (656-foot) gain in altitude and then descend back down to the camp.
In the morning after breakfast, you will begin your hike to Barafu Summit Camp (4,673m/15331f), the starting point for the night summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m19340f).
Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax as soon as you arrive.
After regaining strength, you will need to go on an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870m/15978f) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner.
It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.
The group leaves Barafu Camp at around midnight. This night you will climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19340f).
Although the trek itself is not difficult, the high altitude means that even regular physical activity feels strenuous.
For the final summit, we pair every two climbers with a personal guide whose responsibility it is to monitor their physical and mental well-being more closely. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak you may choose to walk to one of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers.
The group will then return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before the descent to the Millennium Camp at 3,950m/12959f.
- included
- Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Two nights’ accommodation in Moshi (before and after the trek).
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees, camping fees, and rescue fees.
- Services of a professional guide, porters, and cook.
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Drinking water during the trek.
- Tents, sleeping mats, and camping equipment.
- Daily health check-ups, first aid kit, and oxygen for emergencies.
- Certificate of achievement for reaching Uhuru Peak or Stella Point.
- excluded
- International flights.
- Visa fees for Tanzania.
- Personal climbing gear (available for rent).
- Travel insurance (including medical evacuation).
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks.
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and snacks.
- Meals and drinks at the hotel.
- Any additional services or activities not mentioned in the itinerary.