8 day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe Route, Explore one of the least utilised routes up Kilimanjaro climb with an expert guide - a short, beautiful and less crowded trail that leads to the Uhuru Peak of umbwe Kilimanjaro.
KILIMANJARO UMBWE ROUTE TREKKING
Departs daily
Duration: 6 Days on the mountain
The Kilimanjaro Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest and shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers. Add to your experience - OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER!! Be one of a few fortunate people to spend a night in Africa's largest volcano. This option is highly recommended, as this will be the only opportunity to get close to the beautiful and fascinating glaciers of Kilimanjaro and to be able to visit the ash pit.
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to SG Resort for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Arusha - Kilimanjaro Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. 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, B,L,D.
Day 3: Kilimanjaro Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands
Shortly 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, B,L,D.
Day 4: Kilimanjaro Barranco camp (3950m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m)
Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro's little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared, B,L,D.
Day 5: Kilimanjaro Arrow Glacier (4800m) - Crater (5700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Semi desert/ Snowfields
From the Arrow Glacier camp steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater floor (5700m). This day will be the toughest challenge by far. After snowfalls the route can become icy and in these conditions an ice axe or ski stick may be required. When reaching the crater rim, you will be astonished by the view of snow and glaciers. Visible to you left is the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier in front of you. Walk past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated at the crater rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1 ½ hour). The Ash Pit is 340m across, 120m deep and is one of the most perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold as snow might occur. Be one of a fortunate few to spend a night in the inner crater of Kilimanjaro, B,L,D.
Day 6: Kilimanjaro SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Crater (5700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak
7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Time spent on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk to Barafu camp from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest, before heading down to Millennium camp (3100m). 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 provided as well as drinking water, B,L,D.
Day 7: Kilimanjaro Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour, scenic hike back to the Park gate. 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 (5685m) 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!! You will then drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight at SG Resort, B,L.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule. End of services. B
Tour cost: US$ 1,490 per person sharing. Single room supplement: US$ 65
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Umbwe route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as clearly detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at SG Resort for 2 nights on bed and breakfast
-Accommodations in huts on the mountain as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
-Chemical toilet/s on the mountain
-Kilimanjaro climb certificate (Those that reach Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates & Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold
certificates)
-Mountain rescue fees
Excluded:
-Any possible park fees entrance increments
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Travel, health, baggage loss and flight delay insurance
-Medical & hospitalisation bills
-International flights and taxes
-Visas & travel documents
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.
Mountain Climbing FAQ's
NOTE: This Kilimanjaro trekking itinerary may change at any time due to weather or safety conditions. Hiking times and distances are estimated only, but have been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable pace throughout the hike. The above itinerary is a guide only and extra days can be added according to your preferences. With the above route you can summit via Barafu camp or via Arrow Glacier.
8 day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe Route, Explore one of the least utilised routes up Kilimanjaro climb with an expert guide - a short, beautiful and less crowded trail that leads to the Uhuru Peak of umbwe Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro:
Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. Depending on definition, Kilimanjaro may be considered as having anywhere from the tallest to the fourth tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft), providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 5,895 metres (19,341 ft). Kibo has a 1.5 mile wide crater on the top of it. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 m, 16,890 ft), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m, 13,000 ft). Yohanas' Notch is named after Lauwo.
Mount Kilimanjaro from the air. July 2007. An ascent of Mawenzi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame can be climbed by a person of good health and limited mountaineering experience. Many who climb employ altitude-sickness medication and find this to be helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that plague many travellers. Those who travel on the Marangu route usually take four to five days to complete their climb. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available at the end of each day's journey. The huts are Mandara, Horombo and Kibo, located at approximately 2700m.a.sl., 3700m.a.s.l. and 4,500m.a.s.l. respectively. All huts have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport climbers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).
The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft (4,720 m) to the summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Gilman's Point, on the rim of the crater but about a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru, is attained at 5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue may then hike on to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising temperatures. Another route is the Western Breach, which is much more technical in nature. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.
The rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit. At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World's Largest Volcanoes. Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many climbers have signed. As of January 2007 this box has either been removed or buried.
Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top. It is also known to many for its year round snow-topped summit.
The summit of Kilimanjaro is covered by a GSM mobile phone network, provided by Vodacom. It lost its claim as the highest point in the world with mobile phone service, as China Mobile now provides coverage at the top of Mt. Everest, the highest point in the world.
Almost all nights on Kilimanjaro are clear. A pre-dawn start is very important to avoid the debilitating effects of the sun and uv radiation. To make the night ascents more pleasant and in some cases beautiful, getting up and walking up by moonlight is the optimal situation. As a rough guide a full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. This combined with strength of the moonlight provide excellent conditions for walking at night. However as the moon sets about 1 hour later every day. the best conditions are probably about 2 to 3 days after the full moon as then at about 5am the moon is still big and quite high in the sky throughout the critical hours of the ascent. If you plan your ascent before the full moon you might get up by moonlight but it will set before first light.
Climbing Routes:
Lemosho: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for acclimatisation. 8 (-1) 56km
Machame: Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu. 7 (-1) 49km
Marangu: Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m. Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatisation. 6 (-1) 64km
Rongai: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, high-altitude mountain scenery, camping. Good for acclimatisation. 6 65km
Umbwe: Shortest and steepest route, tough. Beautiful forest, spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Dangerous route.
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