7 Days
Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
Area to Visit
Umbwe Gate, Umbwe Cave Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Horombo Hut, & Mweka Gate
Your Dream African Safari Specialist
Overview
Umbwe route starts at the gate with the same name, although it is not technical but it very steep and at some parts very difficult to climb if you have not enough strength and experience in trekking rough terrains. It joins Machame route at Barranco camp, but the path before it is pretty exposed, and that is why Umbwe is considered the most difficult route on the Kilimanjaro.
We absolutely do not recommend it to the people without experience and lesser physical strength. It can be climbed in 5 or 6 days, but do note that shorter plan does not offer acclimatization day to accommodate the high altitude conditions. Descend is at Mweka Gate.
Itinerary in Details
DAY 1: UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP
- Total distance: 10km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
In the morning you will leave your hotel as we drive you to Umbwe gate. After arriving, and finishing registration of your climb, the porters and guides will make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Umbwe Cave Camp. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places, so be very careful. Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view.
Meals:
Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:
Umbwe Cave Camp
DAY 2: SIMBA CAMP TO KIKELEWA CAMP
- Total distance: 7km
- Hiking Time (approx.): 6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, you head out towards Barranco Camp. This day entails walking on a fairly steep area in the forest along a sharp ridge before the path flattens close to Barranco. This stretch of the climb is also fairly short with a steep incline of 1000m, so walking slowly is also very essential to avoid altitude problems. Following lunch the path gets rockier and vegetation changes as the path steadily climbs before (finally!) a short downhill to arrive at Barranco Camp.
Meals:
B, L, D
Accommodation:
Kikelewa Hut
DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
- Distance: 5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Meals:
B, L, D
Accommodation:
Karanga Camp
DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
- Distance: 4km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.
Meals:
B, L, D
Accommodation:
Barafu Camp
DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK TO HOROMBO HUT
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6-8 hours for descend to Horombo Hut
- Distance: 5 km ascent and 11 km descent
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak.
After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Meals:
B, L, D
Accommodation:
Horombo Hut
DAY 6: KIBO CAMP TO UHURU PEAK TO HOROMBO HUT
- Distance: 6 km ascent/16km descent
- Walking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Hike by the light of your flashlight for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point.
The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes about two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.
Meals:
B, L,
Accommodation:
Horombo Hut
DAY 7: HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE
- Total distance: 5km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Meals:
B, L,
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Hut fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari
- nternational Flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks not included
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
