6 Days Umbwe Route
ABOUT UMBWE ROUTE
The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization reducing the level of successfulness. Due to the level of toughness the traffic on this route is very low. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is highly recommended when attempting this route. The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize. Overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended and we discourage its usage for our clients.
ITINERARY
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
After arriving at the Airport, you will be picked up by a Nafika tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Later on, you will enjoy dinner with your group before being briefed on the trek followed by an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. We can organize the rental of any missing equipment should it be needed.
Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1800m) to Umbwe Camp (2850m)
After breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel around 8:00 am and driven through banana plantations finally arriving at Umbew Gate (1800m). After arriving at Umbew Gates, Nafika tours will handle all pre-hike formalities and once complete you will take the first step of your lifelong dream. The scenic Umbwe route initially follows a forestry track winding up through a natural rainforest. Afterwards, it narrows and steepens where you will climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. Your first camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Approx. hiking time: 4-6 hours
Distance covered: 11 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 2: Umbwe Camp (2850 m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)
shortly after leaving the camp, the Montane Forest will begin to thin and will eventually be replaced rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss covered trees. Continuing along a spectacular ridge we will gain attitude and will catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro, rising majestically ahead of you-etched against the blue sky. As you approach the Barranco Valley, the path flattens. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco wall, which should provide you a memorable sunset while your dinner is prepared.
Approx. hiking time: 4 hours
Distance covered: 7 km
Habitat: Montane Forest/ Moorland
Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 3: Barranco Camp (3900 m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco wall, there you climb the imposing obstacle, which actually turns out to be easier than it looks. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. With Kibo glaciers soaring overhead, the descent is truly beautiful. From the camp, you can look east and see the jugged peaks of Mawenzi. After a hot lunch in camp, the afternoon is your own but we recommended trying to rest and taking a quick nap. This short day is very important for your acclimatization since your summit push is about to start. 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.
Approx. hiking time: 4 hours
Distance covered: 6 km
Habitat: alpine desert
Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner Included
Day 4: Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barrafu Camp (4600 m)
After breakfast, you will start hiking to Barafu Camp (4640 m). On the way be ready for the beautiful views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. After arriving at the campsite, lunch will be provided, take advantage of a quiet afternoon by heading to your tent to catch some of that much need sleep to prepare for the long journey ahead. Dinner will be early and then it is back to your tent to get some sleep, alarms will be set around midnight to start the moment you have been preparing for; the climb to the summit
Approx. hiking time: 3 hours
Distance covered: 4 km
Habitat: alpine desert
Meal: breakfast and lunch included
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640 m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Mweka Camp (3100 m)
As the new day starts you will be awoken at midnight with some light tea and breakfast. After final preparations, we will being our 4 to 5 hour climb gaining incredible height over a very short distance. The view is spectacular as the sun begins to rise. We should be on the crater rim at Stella point (5756 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Then it will take us 1-hour from Stella point to Uhuru peak (5895 m). Once at Uhuru point, you need to celebrate your accomplishment, you made it. Photos will be taken to show to all of your friends and family back home and after admiring the views we will start the descent to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest. The day is not yet over, early afternoon we will descent down to Mweka Camp (3100 m) where you can enjoy dinner and reflect on your successful summit of Kilimanjaro, before retiring to your tent for some much needed rest.
Approx. hiking time: 14 hours
Distance covered: 16 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
After breakfast, the final descent beings, it is a couple of hour walk from the Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your certificates and can finally enjoy a nice cold beverage. After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a private car will then take you back to your hotel where you can enjoy the warm shower you have been craving. It’s definitely time to celebrate!
Approx. hiking time: 3 hours
Distance covered: 10 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meal: breakfast and lunch Included
4 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE
PRICING.
Prices (quoted in USD/per person)
| Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
|
1 Person |
$ 1,900/person |
|
2-4 People |
$ 1,800/person |
|
5-9 people |
$ 1,750/person |
|
10 & above |
$ 1,600/person |
Included in the price:
- Two nights accommodation in Hotel
- Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees and services
- All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
- Transport
- Rescue fees
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guides and porters’ accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
- Pulse oximeter
- First aid kit
- Emergence oxygen
- Katady filtered water through the trek
- Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authorit
Not Included:
- Flights
- Visa
- Insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Personal Items
- Laundry services (available at the hotel for cost)
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CONTACT US
- P.O. Box 7466, Moshi, Tanzania
- +255 753 118 725
- +255 753 118 725
- info@nafikatours.com
- mailto:nafikatours@gmail.com