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6 Days Umbwe Route – Kilimanjaro Climbing
Overview
Kilimanjaro Umbwe route is a short route, providing challenges as it is very difficult to climb due to its steepness. It is arguably the least frequented route on Kilimanjaro passes through the tropical rainforest and runs long the Machame Route, joining it at Barranco Camp. The traffic in this route is very low and unless a day is added to the climb. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, but seven days is preferred. This route also merges along with Machame, Lemosho, and Shira Route. If one wants more adventure, then one can approach the Western Breach route -risky and dangerous.
It requires some scrambling (climbing on hands and feet) at certain points. This path is very beautiful but also very challenging due to its rocks formations and its steep slope. The Western Beach was gaining popularity by climbers using the Umbwe route, Lemosho, Shira and Machame routes until a rock fall claimed the lives of three climbers in January 2006. In response, Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) closed the Western Breach Route, but in 2007 KINAPA opened it again with the conditions that all clients and their supporting members who want to use this option must sign at the entrance gate that they are doing for their own risk.
INCLUDE / EXCLUDE
- National park entry fee
- Camping / hut fee
- Rescue service
- All meals while on the mountain (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- Fair wages for mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro national park and Kilimanjaro association tour operator
- Round trip airport transfers between Moshi and JRO
- Round trip transfers between Moshi and mountain gates
- Hotel stays in Moshi for pre and post trek (2 nights in total) on bed and breakfast
- 4 Season mountain tents.
- Double layered sleeping mats
- Private portable toilet
- Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
- Treated drinking water 3L or more everyday
- Portable oxygen tanks and ox-meter.
- Emergence first aid kit.
- International or Local flights
- Rental gears
- Tips for guides, porters and other staff
- Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
- Laundry [available in hotel]
- Personal items at toiletries.
- Meals and drinks at the hotel in Arusha
- Travel Insurance, Visa and Medical Insurance
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Reasons to Book with Uphill Treks
SAFETY FIRST
We use equipment of international standards & our guides are trained in First aid & personal protection equipment
CUSTOMER SATISFICATION
We reward our staff based on your feedback & that results in all of us working towards making your trip memorable
Personalized Service
Our guides are trained to pay attention to each clients requirements & situation & customize the program accordingly
Easy Booking
Book by paying advance by card on our website. Balance can be paid upon arrival, before the tour
FULL ITINERARY
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in moshi town, you will meet your Kilimanjaro guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek (Challenging Kilimanjaro Route Climb, Umbwe Route). Our Kilimanjaro Guide will do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day .
Meals: no lunch & dinner included.
TO CAVE BIVOUAC CAMP (2,850M/9,350FT)
ELEVATION GAIN:1,050 METERS, 3,445 FEET
HIKING TIME: 4 TO 6 HOURS
At 8am leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places. 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. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
TO BARRANCO CAMP (3,950M/12,960FT)
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 1,100 METERS, 3,610 FEET
HIKING TIME: 5 TO 7 HOURS
The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
TO KARANGA VALLEY (4,200M/13,780FT)
ELEVATION GAIN: 250 METERS, 820 FEET
DISTANCE: 7 KILOMETERS
HIKING TIME: 3 TO 5 HOURS
Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
TO BARAFU CAMP (4,600M/15,100FT)
ELEVATION GAIN: 400 METERS, 1,320 FEET
DISTANCE: 6 KILOMETERS
HIKING TIME: 3 TO 5 HOURS
After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
TO UHURU PEAK (5,895M/19,340FT)
TO MWEKA CAMP (3,100M/10,170FT)
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,295 METERS, 4,240 FEET
ELEVATION LOSS: 2,795 METERS, 9,170 FEET
HIKING TIME: 6 HOURS TO THE RIM, 1 HOUR TO UHURU, 3 TO 4 HOURS BACK TO BARAFU, 4 HOURS TO MWEKA
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp 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 Stella Point. The hike from Stella Point 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 approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers. At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
TO MWEKA GATE (1,500M/4,920FT)
ELEVATION LOSS: 1,600 METERS, 5,250 FEET
HIKING TIME: 4 HOURS
After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.
Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration!
Breakfast and lunch. included.
DEPARTURE DATES
The departure dates for all our African safaris and trekking packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed info, as well as information on photographic safaris and Kilimanjaro trekking packages.
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