7 DAYS UMBWE
- DESTINATION: TANZANIA | PLACE TO VISIT: MT.KILIMANJARO
Description
The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.
Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Our Team:
Our expert guides, porters and cook are truly the key to our trip’s success. All are locals who are born and raised under the footsteps of Mount Kilimanjaro. They’re all passionate, enthusiastic and endlessly knowledgeable.
Detailed Itinerary
ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT.
Representative of Pic a Place Safaris will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Moshi. As local Tanzania’s our guides know the country with unrivaled familiarity, so you’ll be in good hands from the moment you land to the moment you leave.
Accommodation: Midrange
Meal Plan: Full Board
Note: Check-in starts at 11:00 AM
DAY 1: UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAMP.
Elevation: 5,249 ft. to 9,514 ft.
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat; Heath
The day begins with a 50 minute drive to Machame Gate where registration formalities will be completed. We then transfer through villages and coffee and banana plantations to Umbwe Gate. The trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe Camp is perched between trees and thick undergrowth.
DAY 2: UMBWE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP.
Elevation: 9,514 ft. to 13,044 ft.
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath
The second day of the trek follows rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. As we gain elevation, glimpses of Kilimanjaro can be seen. The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest.
DAY 3
BARRANCO CAMP (3,900 m/12,800 ft)
Extra day for acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP.
Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
Distance: 5km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft. cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP.
Elevation: 13,106 ft. to 15,331 ft.
Distance: 4 km/ 2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK
Elevation: 15,331 ft. to 19,341 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft. to 10,065 ft.
Distance: 12km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft.), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE.
Elevation: 10,065 ft. to 5,380 ft.
Distance: 10km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Accommodation: Midrange
Meal Plan: Full Board
DEPARTURE
You will be picked up from the hotel and be transferred to the airport to catchup your flight back home.
Note: Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, you have the option to extend your hotel stay till 6:00 PM for an extra fee.
Accommodation
- (Bb)-- Bed and breakfast Basis
- (Hb)-- Half Board Basis
- (Fb) --Full board Basis
Includes & Excludes
Includes.
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 2 night hotel Accommodation in Moshi (before and after trek) on full board basis (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Quality, waterproof, four season mountain sleeping tent.
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs.
- Professional, experienced, English speaking mountain guides.
- All Tanzanian National Park Fees.
- All hot Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain.
- Portable toilet tent.
- Fair wages for Guides, Porters and Cook as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA).
- Oxygen Tank and Pulse Ox-meter for healthy and safety purpose.
- Hot drinks at every meal.
- Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day.
Excludes.
- Tips for Mountain Crew
- Nonalcoholic drinks and Alcoholic drinks.
- Laundry services
- All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc.
- Visa and International flight tickets fees.
- Travel Insurance
Navigate
- UMBWE ROUTE
- 7 DAYS TREKKING
Places: Mount Kilimanjaro
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