Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1614m)
– Umbwe Cave camp (2850m)
Hiking
time: 6 Hours
Distance: Approximately 10.3 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
Umbwe
forest sectionAfter breakfast you will be driven to the Machame
gate where registration formalities will be completed. From the
Machame gate you will be transferred to the Umbwe Gate (1641m),
passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The
air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route
initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural
rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between
the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The
path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are
lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance.
The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. Enjoy
dinner and overnight at the Umbwe Cave Camp (2 850m).
Day 2: Umbwe Cave camp (2850m) - Barranco camp (3985m)
Hiking
time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.3 km
Habitat: Moorland
Barranco
wallShortly after leaving the camp the forest starts thinning and
is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly,
moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular
ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro
rising majestically ahead of you - etched against the blue sky.
The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley.
From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco
camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great
Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset
while your dinner is being prepared.
Day 3: Barranco camp (3985m) - Karanga Camp (4040m)
Hiking
time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Habitat: Moorland / Semi desert
View
of Kilimanjaro – Umbwe route After spending a night at the
great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your
way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally
turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below
the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro
really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley
over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the
Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so
remember it. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley,
as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Enjoy dinner and
overnight at the Karanga camp.
Day 4: Karanga camp (4040m) - Barafu camp (4681m)
Hiking
time: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.4km
Habitat:Alpine desert
Hiker
– Umbwe route Breakfast at Karanga camp and after breakfast
turn left up the ridge and the route ascends 640m towards Barafu
Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a
bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally
exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow,
stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself
with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.
The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with
your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment,
hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This
should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries
and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent
freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.
Go to bed as early as possible and try to get some precious rest
and sleep.
Day 5: Summit attempt
Barafu camp (4681m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3090m)
Hiking
time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend
to Mweka Camp
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
View
on the Umbwe route You will get up around 23h30, and after some
tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in
a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards
Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk
to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging
on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short
rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you
are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you
will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to
Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on
the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will
be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue.
Uhuru peak Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the
rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here
you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest
of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route
is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path
into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated
in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late
afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Day
6: Mweka camp (3090m) - Mweka Gate (1641m)
Hiking
time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
After
an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4 to 6 hour
and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience
knee problems which could make the descend longer than planned.
It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until
you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.
At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This
is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with
green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive
gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village,
normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will
be served a delicious hot lunch!! After lunch you drive back to
Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Price
US$ 1500 per person:
Any additional day is US$ 250
Price inclusive:
- 2 Transfers from Moshi to Umbwe
park gate - return.
- 3 meals per day while trekking - Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian.
- 6 days Kilimanjaro trek- Umbwe.
- 5 nights accommodation in camps while trekking Umbwe.
- All park entrance fees and government levies.
- English speaking mountains Guide and assistant guides.
- First Aid Kit including Oxygen Kit.
- Camping Equipments including sleeping tents, sleeping mats, dining
tent, chairs and table.
Kilimanjaro
Summit Gear List
.
Leather or thermal boots
.
Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech Trilaminate jacket
.
Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech pants
.
Fleece jacket
.
Fleece pants
.
Gore-Tex mittens or gloves
.
Fleece gloves (use as inner for Gore-Tex mittens)
.
Thermal glove liners (use as inner for Gore-Tex gloves)
.
Gaiters
.
Fleece balaclava
.
Thermal balaclava
.
Thermal top
.
Thermal long johns
.
Thermal socks
.
Sunglasses with UV protection
.
Day pack
.
Head torch
.
Thermal flask
Kilimanjaro
Trekking gear: (Wear between camps)
.
Rain suit or poncho (mainly used in the rain forest)
.
Hiking boots or cross trainers
. Day pack
. Short pants
. Tracksuit
pants
. T-shirts
. Sun hat
(peak caps do not offer enough protection)
. Woolen socks
. Fleece beanie
. Water bottle
Kilimanjaro
General gear & equipment
.
Duffel bag
. Walking
stick (adjustable)
. Sleeping
bag (-10 rating)
. Sleeping
mat
Kilimanjaro
Helpful hints
.
Drink at least three to four litres of water a day.
. Use water filters and purifying pills to minimize
stomach bugs.
. Take enough snacks like energy bars, drink mixes,
etc.
. Do not move too fast, walk at a slow steady pace.
. Move as lightly as possible, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
. All clothing in Duffel bags or backpacks must
be protected with sack-liners to avoid getting wet, especially through
the rainforest.
. High factor lip balm and sun block is essential.
. Nausea and headache pills should be kept handy
on summit night.
. Symptoms of altitude sickness can be reduced
by using medication (consult your doctor).
. New boots should be walked-in; this avoids blisters.
. Use a sleeping mat when camping.
. Use a thermal flask on summit night; other water
bottles will freeze.
. Allow camera or video camera to acclimatize;
do not wrap or place them in plastic bags.
. Thermal glove liners allow easier camera handling
on the summit.
. Use only new camera and headlamp batteries on
summit night.
. Guides and porters will expect tips; confirm
amounts with your tour operator.
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