6-Day Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking via Umbwe
Duration
6 Days
Destinations
Mount Kilimanjaro
Best Time
June – October (or all year round)
Travel Style
Trekking
Safari Overview
Short and steep, the Umbwe route is considered the most challenging route on the mountain. Traffic on this route is very low, which might make it an attractive route to climbers. However, due to its quick ascent up Mt. Kilimanjaro, it has one of the lower success rates for reaching the summit. We therefore only recommend this route to experienced hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize.
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Detailed Itinerary
Moshi to Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp: 8 km, 5-7 hours, Montane Forest
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and an hour-long drive from Moshi to Umbwe Village (1,490 m/4,890 ft), where your guides and porters pack your equipment and supplies and give you a lunch pack. You start your ascent at the small Umbwe Gate just above the village and follow a gentle, winding vehicle track for an hour to a signboard that announces the small, steep Umbwe trail. The introduction is over, and you now climb up for several hours through a dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees. In places, you must scamper up steep sections of roots and rock. The Umbwe Camp is in the forest, and there are some caves nearby. You will be greeted here with a graciously served hot meal.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Your day starts early with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. After breakfast, you will climb steeply through thinning forest glades to Giant Erica, Heather, and drier air. You continue up a ridge that drops steeply on both sides, and hopefully, the clouds will part to reward you with a view of Uhuru Peak looming overhead. After lunch, you enter a zone of giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjaro) that seem to guard the heights, and this garden is one of Kilimanjaro’s special treasures.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut, where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
After breakfast, you continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall. Then, you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. This short day is very important for your acclimatization since your summit push is about to start.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft), you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point, you join the top part of the Marangu Route but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.
- Main Destination:
- Foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic three-hour hike back to the park gate. You will be driven to the hotel for a certificate and a celebration with your crew.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
Included in Cost
- Airport pick up and drop off in Kilimanjaro / Arusha
- All park fees and government taxes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Bottled drinking water during safari
- Game drives and all activities mentioned
- 24/7 support from our local team
Included in Cost
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, souvenirs, laundry)
- Optional activities not mentioned
- Tips for guide and hotel staff
Let's Plan Your Climb
What to Expect
- Abundant wildlife and scenic landscapes
- Game drives in iconic national parks
- Breathtaking views and photo opportunities
- Unique cultural experiences
- Comfortable accommodations
- Perfect for couples and honeymooners
How to Book
- Contact us with your preferred travel dates
- Receive a detailed itinerary and quotation
- Confirm your booking with a deposit
- We organize your safari and provide all details
Enjoy your - unforgettable Tanzania safari!
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