Umbwe Route 5 Days

Overview

Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route which based in the south and is said to be the most scenic and difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. Main reason that Umbwe route considered to be very hard is its steepness in the first two days with extremely muddy. Although the traffic on this route is low, the chances of success are also low. This route only recommended for experienced and well-trained climbers. Its short time of acclimatization within a 5-day/4-night tour.

Included

Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.
Pre & Post Trek accommodation
Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees 18% VAT on tour fees & services 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents Double layered Sleeping Mats
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Filtered water throughout the treke

Exclude

Flights
Items of a personal nature
Tips to mountain crew
Laundry Services
Insurance

Tour Itinerary

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.

Day 2 Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco 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.

Day 3 Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Distance: 9km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we take short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. After a short and well deserved break 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.

Day 4 Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka

Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6-8 hours for descend to Mweka Camp
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.

Day 5 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1800m)

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.

How Much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

No: of Days	1 Climber	2-4 Climber	5-7 Climber	8-10 Climber	11 + Climber
5 Days	$1,850	$1,770	$1,720	$1,570	$1,470
6 Days	$2,250	$1,950	$1,800	$1,650	$1,500
7 Days	$2,650	$2,275	$2,100	$1,925	$1,750

Following are the recommended tips to pay on the Mountain when everything works out well as agreed:

1. (Porters)Support crew - $10.00 each Support Crew per day
2. Summit Porters - $20.00 per Trip
3. Waiter - $12.00 per day
4. Tent Crew - $12.00 per day
4. Toilet Crew - $12.00 per day
4. Cook - $17.00 per day
3. Assistant Guide 20$ per day
4. Chief Guide - $25.OO per day