UMBWE ROUTE - KILIMANJARO CHALLENGE CLIMB

Umbwe route is more challenging route compare to other routes. Although is more challenging is very unique.The lush forest, great view of the mountain is enough to say this is amazing route. As it is more challenging, less tourists, This route is the steepest with the shortest and most direct routes to the Southern Glaciers, Western Breach and Uhuru Peak. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. However it is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers

Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport with our driver holding signboard with group name/ leader name with company logo to avoid confusion and transferred to the hotel in Moshi, if you will be arriving before 4pm then we will conduct thorough pre climb briefing with your mountain guide who will double check the climbing gears and itinerary also answer all the question you may have.

DAY 2: UMBWE GATE – UMBWE CAVE
Distance : 9.6KM
Time: 6-8HRS
Vegetation: Rain Forest

Departing from Moshi driving to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here. The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth

DAY 3: UMBWE CAVE – BARRANCO CAMP
Distance: 4.75KM
Time: 4-6HRS
Vegetation: MOORLAND

After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast we emerge from the rain forest and continue on a steep ascending path, along the Umbwe ridge as it descends slightly to Barranco camp situated in the valley. Temperatures begin to drop.

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP
Distance: 5.2KM/
Time: 3-4HRS
Vegetation: ALPINE DESERT

Morning after breakfast start walking to Karanga camp. Soon after start the hike, enjoy climbing the baranco wall. This wall has a nickname from Porters know as Breakfast. This means once you start to climb, you must get warm as it has a bit areas where it will challenge your physical fitness as you climb. After this wall, continue walking to Karanga

DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
Distance : 3.3KM
Time: 3-4HRS
Vegetation: ALPINE DESERT

We leave Karanga campsite normally after outdoor breakfast around 8 am hike through rocky and stone scree and pebbles trail until we hit the junction which connects Mweka Trail (Descending 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, the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. After arriving at the camp have lunch and rest and expect an early dinner then you will have final preparation meeting for the night summit hike.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT
Distance and Time: 4.86KM up 5-7HRS – MWEKA CAMP: 11.5KM down 5-6HRS GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT
Elevation: 4662m to 5895m
Altitude gain: 1233m
Descent to 3106m
Altitude lost: 2789m

This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, the ascend normally will start around mid night, 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 (5,685 m) , you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see , At Stella point will make not long break for pictures and hot drink before we proceed to Uhuru peak, here you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak depending on the weather situation, At Uhuru peak time we spend on top is not more that 10-15min depending with the weather and the crowd but we guarantee you will take your lifetime memorable pictures at the top then you will start your descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, here you will have almost 1hours stopover for resting and branch , collect your gear, and hike down on a step rock trail to Mweka forest Camp (3,100 m).

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI
Distance: 9.1KM
Time: 3-4HRS
Vegetation: RAINFOREST

After a well-deserved breakfast, we will conduct tip ceremony sing and dance together while one representative from the climber will say few words to supporting team and shake hands, hand over the tips money the start descending through the heavy rain forest to Mweka gate. At the gate you will sign out at the park registry book and guide will collect your achievement certificate then load the van drive back to hotel through the nourishing colorfully coffee farms and cheerful villagers, you may stopover for some souvenirs, at the hotel you will meet company representative who will sort out and arrange your next schedule weather its Safari or airport drop-off, and agree pickup time.

Day 8 - DEPARTURE

If you are catching late evening flight on the following day you may arrange some short daytrips with our office representatives, please make sure you leave the hotel 3 hours before your flight.