Overview of the Umbwe route
6 Days Umbwe Route: This route offers two options. A short hike onto the southern circuit starting via the South and a steep climb into the Barranco wall acting as a ‘shortcut’ into the southern circuit. Umbwe often summits via the Western breach or Barafu Camp.
The Umbwe route is short, steep, and direct. It is considered the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. The number of people on these trails is very low.
The route converges with Machame on day 2 at Barranco Camp. The trail follows the southern circuit to the summit and descends through the Mweka route.
Hilbas Tours: Offers 6 or 7 days of climbing but recommends 7 days for the most effective acclimatization opportunity.
6 Days Umbwe Route Itinerary
Arrived in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, a briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Day 1- Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave
Elevation: 1,600m/5280ft to 2,850m/9405ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
The driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Machame Gate, where registration takes place. After registration, the driver will transfer you to Umbwe Gate. Lunch will be at Umbwe Gate or the trailhead, and you will continue your climb through the thick rainforest on the southern slopes of the mountain. Here, if you are lucky you will spot Black and White colobus and Blue monkeys as well as impatiens and Kilimanjarii. The camp sits between large evergreen trees, with Umbwe Cave a short walk away. This is the tent route and dinner will be served in your mess tent.
Day 2- Umbwe Cave to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 2,850m/9405ft to 3900m/12870ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest / Moorland
The landscape changes rapidly from rainforest to moorland, with rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation. The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. You may glimpse Uhuru Peak from your camp. As you’ll note, camp is quite busy here because we’re joining other hikers on the Machame, Lemosho, and Shira routes.
Day 3- Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3900m/12870ft to 3930m/1269ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
The day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then taking a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall to the top. Here you will see Heim Glacier and spectacular Kilimanjaro views. The trail then winds up and down to Karanga Camp overnight.
Day 4- Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3930m/12969ft to 4670m/15411ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
After a delicious breakfast, we walk to Barafu camp. We walk across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around, a steep walk to Barafu. After a hot lunch at the camp, the remainder of the day is spent resting as we prepare for the final ascent. This is before an early night summit walk. The camp usually offers stunning views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Day 5- Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4670m/15411ft- 5895m/19453ft to 3100m/10230ft
Distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 15 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Desert/Arctic to Moorland
This is your special day when your dream comes true, your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea and biscuits, Summit will begin through a steep over loose volcanic scree with some well-graded switchbacks and a slow but steady pace will lead us towards Stella Point on the crater rim (5696m/18800ft) for about 5 to 6 hours.
After a short rest, you will continue hiking for about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Here you will have a short time to take photographs around the summit. The Barafu campsite descent is fast. After lunch, we proceed to descend through the moorland to reach the final Mweka Campsite for dinner and overnight for the last day on the mountain.
Day 6- Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m/10230ft to 1700m/5610ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
This is another big day. Descending will be on a well-maintained trail through the lovely rainforest with many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many interesting things. Our route will end at Mweka Gate which will require all hikers to sign out and receive certificates of completion. Hilbas tours driver will drive back to the Hotel. On the way back you will pass through coffee plants and banana farms around Mweka village.
Departure or onwards travel
After an early breakfast, transfer to Safari or Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.
Mountain Climbing Clothes
If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately and we recommend choosing wool or synthetic options, like polyester or nylon, instead. Fabrics: Cotton takes a very long time to dry and is a poor insulator, so it should always be avoided in mountaineering climbs.
This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
Top Base Layer and Bottom Base Layer for climbing.
3-4 Pairs of Underwear
2-3 Short Sleeve
1 Insulated Trekking Pants
1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
1 Insulated Winter Jacket
1 Polar Tec Fleece Jacket
1 Hard Shell Jacket
1- Gaiters
A hat to keep the sun off of your face
Good socks, preferably made out of merino wool
Shoes or boots that have good traction.
Bras, A pullover sports bra without any clasps.
1- Day backpack – between 20 – 35 litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, snacks & warm clothing
1- Duffel bag, (waterproof recommended), large enough for all climbing gear, to be carried by the porters. An extra bag is to be left at the hotel with extra gear.
1-Mittens or warm gloves and an inner one.
1-Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
2- Water bottles – (total capacity at least 3 or 4 litres)
Price includes:
Transport:
– Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha and back to the airport.
-Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
– Pick up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
Accommodation:
Standard twin-sharing (double beds in one room) in a three-star hotel (Moshi town) before and after the expedition; these hotels provide everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Accommodation in huts. An average hut fits 6-8 people. National park rangers allocate huts. We will do our best to arrange separate huts for our groups. However, during the busy months, you may share huts with climbers from other groups. Marangu Huts have bunk beds.
Please note:
All accommodation is shared (i.e. you will share a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike with your travel companion).
If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Entry fees and salaries
-All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park, -Camping fees, Vehicle fees, Rescue fees, and all Government taxes.
-Guides, porters, waiters, cooks accommodation, Entry fees on the mountain and Salaries
Climbing crew:
-Professional / Experienced English-speaking Mountain guides licensed by –Kilimanjaro National Park.
-All our guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications.
-Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp masters, porters, cooks, etc.).
Meals:
– Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
-3 standard meals a day on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
-All drinks on the hike (Coffee, tea, Milo tea, water, etc).
Hiking and safety equipment:
-All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
-Oxygen cylinders and Oximeters;
– Medical kits
Price excludes:
Insurance:
Travel insurance is not covered by the tour price. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.
Airline tickets;
Visa fee, passport, vaccinations, and medicines.
Flying Doctors;
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
Personal gear rentals;
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenir money)
A tip of between 250 and 400 dollars per person is recommended for the mountain crew.
Additional Notes:
If you have booked your climb through an agent that gives you different tip information, please tip according to the agent’s information.
Copyright © 2024 Hilbas Tours Limited