Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Umbwe Route 6 Days, 5 Nights
Umbwe Route 6 days:
The Umbwe Route is the least used, least crowded route on the mountain. For good reason, it is also the most difficult route on the mountain. Umbwe is a steep, constant, straight climb to Uhuru Peak. Umbwe is mostly avoided because the ascent profile does not give climbers much time to adjust to the altitude. The success rate is very low. The route takes six days minimum to complete, although seven days is recommended. The descent is down Mweka, on the south-east side of the mountain. Umbwe is not as scenically varied as Machame, Lemosho and Shira, because the path up and down are nearby. The Umbwe is ideal for those who want a challenging climb, and are very confident in their ability trek over consistently steep slopes. Also, Umbwe is for those who are experienced at altitude and thus are confident that the punishing schedule of Umbwe will not impede their ability to adjust to altitude. Umbwe is also for those who want a secluded hike.
Day: 1 Arrive in Arusha
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will arrange a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). To Arusha at Moivaro lodge, where the rest of the day is at leisure. We stay at Moivaro lodge which is beautifully located on the slope of Mt. Meru and is a perfect place to prepare for your adventure.
We will gather in the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Day2: Umbwe Cave (at 3,000 m); 6-8 hours walking
The climb starts from Umbwe Gate (1,400 m.) The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! It’s a steep and rough walk up to our first camp, Umbwe Cave at (3,000 m).
Day3: Barranco valley (3,950 m); 4-6 hours walking.
The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest. One place it’s necessary to do a bit of climbing / scrambling past a 10 meter rock, but after that the path gets easier. The views starts to open up, and the vegetation is now the typical moorland, with giant senecios around, and the icefields at Kibo is now clearly visible. Camp is in the Barranco valley (3,950 m.), which has spectacular views to both Kibo and the plains beneath.
Day4: Karanga campsite (4,000 m); 4-5 hours walking
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m.), the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley. There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatisation walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp.
Day5: Barafu campsite (4,600 m); 4-5 hours walking.
A short but steep climb out of Karanga, and an easy path on compacted scree with wide views to reach Mweka Junction (4,150 m.). We then climb steadily to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before an early night.
Day6: Mweka forest camp (3,100 m); 13-15 hours walking.
We will start our ascent by torchlight around midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) Mweka forest camp. Most of us will be too tired to notice the beauty of the forest surrounding the crowded campsite
Day7: Mweka forest camp to Mweka gate (1,650 m); 3-5 hours walking.
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to Mweka National Park gate.
Dinner and overnight at Moivaro lodge: Half board.
Day 8: Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Private departure transfer is included
Kilimanjaro Includes:
• 2 Nights accommodation in Arusha at Moivaro lodge is included
• Private professional mountain guides
• All Park fees
• Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Arrival and Departure transfers
• Government taxes, VAT and all relating service charges
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
• Emergency Oxygen
• Walking Poles
• Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor
Kilimanjaro Excludes:
• Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
• Tips and any items of personal nature.
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will arrange a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). To Arusha at Moivaro lodge, where the rest of the day is at leisure. We stay at Moivaro lodge which is beautifully located on the slope of Mt. Meru and is a perfect place to prepare for your adventure.
We will gather in the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Day2: Umbwe Cave (at 3,000 m); 6-8 hours walking
The climb starts from Umbwe Gate (1,400 m.) The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! It’s a steep and rough walk up to our first camp, Umbwe Cave at (3,000 m).
Day3: Barranco valley (3,950 m); 4-6 hours walking.
The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest. One place it’s necessary to do a bit of climbing / scrambling past a 10 meter rock, but after that the path gets easier. The views starts to open up, and the vegetation is now the typical moorland, with giant senecios around, and the icefields at Kibo is now clearly visible. Camp is in the Barranco valley (3,950 m.), which has spectacular views to both Kibo and the plains beneath.
Day4: Karanga campsite (4,000 m); 4-5 hours walking
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m.), the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley. There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatisation walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp.
Day5: Barafu campsite (4,600 m); 4-5 hours walking.
A short but steep climb out of Karanga, and an easy path on compacted scree with wide views to reach Mweka Junction (4,150 m.). We then climb steadily to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before an early night.
Day6: Mweka forest camp (3,100 m); 13-15 hours walking.
We will start our ascent by torchlight around midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) Mweka forest camp. Most of us will be too tired to notice the beauty of the forest surrounding the crowded campsite
Day7: Mweka forest camp to Mweka gate (1,650 m); 3-5 hours walking.
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to Mweka National Park gate.
Dinner and overnight at Moivaro lodge: Half board.
Day 8: Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Private departure transfer is included
Kilimanjaro Includes:
• 2 Nights accommodation in Arusha at Moivaro lodge is included
• Private professional mountain guides
• All Park fees
• Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Arrival and Departure transfers
• Government taxes, VAT and all relating service charges
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
• Emergency Oxygen
• Walking Poles
• Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor
Kilimanjaro Excludes:
• Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
• Tips and any items of personal nature.