Umbwe Route 6 Days
A Kilimanjaro trekking route that holds the note as being the shortest, steepest and most difficult! We think it depends on who you are and what you are looking for since the scenery in our eyes is far more dramatic than that of other routes, with far more extremes, and variations than just a walking trail, it is certainly a route to be considered by the more adventurous groups and extreme bush-walkers who like a challenge or two. Though strictly not technical it still offers a little excitement with several rock scrambles to break up the day following picturesque mystical meandering paths that cut through afromontane forest with the reverberating grind of black and white colobus monkeys or the loud guttural call of the Hartlaub’s Turaco can be heard as you pass under the heavy canopy. Umbwe route is an ascent route only (descent only for rescue purposes) your party can find themselves trekking alone in the pristine rain forest over the first two days before joining onto the popular Machame route a short distance below Lava tower. The route is relatively steep but the walking is slow with short distances to cover between camps, allowing for proper acclimatization. It is a ‘camping only’ climb, allowing for time away from the crowds with a little more excitement with the knife-edge ridges, hidden valleys and rock scrambles
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Below, we go through the adventure day-by-day, giving you a better feel of the adventure.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro airport - you will be collected by your driver guide and transfer to the Moshi region. Check in at your choice of accommodation.
O/n Kaliwa Lodge (D)
Day 2: Briefing
After breakfast, you will meet your Kilimanjaro guide and receive a briefing on your coming climb. A great opportunity to ask any last minute questions and for you and your guide to double check your clothing and equipment. In the afternoon you will then set out on a 2-3 hour acclimatization walk, this gentle walk will help you warm up before you start Kilimanjaro tomorrow.
O/n Kaliwa Lodge (B, D)
Day 3: Cave One
Depart for Umbwe Gate. After the Park fees have been paid, you will enter into the cover of the natural rain forest which surrounds the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro. Walk along narrow paths that cut up through the rain forest. Walking time ranges from 4 - 5hrs before reaching cave one. This is the overnight stop where the camp is scattered amongst towering trees.
O/n Cave One (B, L, D)
Day 4: Baranco High Camp
After breakfast you will depart with picnic lunch boxes and continue your ascent along narrow paths that wind up through a mystical forest. Eventually break out on to a fine knife ridge, if the weather is clear this offer great views to the valley below and you should start to see the Uhuru peak. The vegetation will begin to change once again and you will pass through stands of giant Senicio and Lobelia which tower up to 5 meters tall. The walk will take you 4hrs - 6.5hrs including your picnic lunch and the views are stunning as you begin to gain altitude.
O/n Baranco high camp (B, L, D)
Day 5: Karanga Valley Camp
Begin the slow climb of the Baranco wall. Bird watching on these open slopes can be rewarding with several different types of bird of prey scouring the scrub for small mammals. The scenery will change to rusty red moraine fields as you continue to Karanga valley. This day is a good day to rest as the walking part is short. Mid afternoon or after lunch, take a walk to gain more altitude than that of the camp. There are also some interesting caves where the ice run off has carved passage ways into the rocks.
O/n Karanga valley camp (B, L, D)
Day 6: Barafu Camp
After breakfast, with your picnic Lunch boxes proceed to skirt around the south side of the mountain. Begin to climb through the Alpine desert and moraine fields. Barafu Camp is reached in 3- 4hrs and altitude here is 4, 600 meter above sea level. Relax and soak up the vistas below you, a light dinner will be served. Rest and try and get some sleep as you will be woken at 12:30am for your final challenge.
O/n Barafu camp (B, L, D)
Day 7: Summit Day
After a hot tea and snacks, start your ascent to the highest peak in Africa (Uhuru Peak) this stands at (5895m). Have your camera’s ready for when the sun winks a sleepy eye at you. After you’ve done the victory dance on the summit, take a close look at the ice formations of the Glaciers and in your own time reflect on this amazing achievement. Start the descent to Barafu Camp for breakfast and short rest and then proceed down toward Millennium Camp cutting through lowland grasses and scrub. Break for picnic lunch and refreshments continuing down to Mweka camp or depending on descent pace and how the legs feel, Millennium Camp.
O/n Mweka Camp - Altitude 2985 mts (B, L, D)
Day 8: Last Morning on the Mountain
After breakfast, proceed back down into the forest, a beautiful walk again offering good bird watching opportunities, there are some good view points en route to the valley below. Continue down to the gate, for champagne brunch. Here you will meet one of our vehicles, heading to the comforts of the lodge for well earned showers.
O/n Kaliwa Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 9: Departure
After a good night sleep and a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your departing flight. (B)
Note: O/N = Overnight, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
| Amount of persons: | Price p.p. (usd): |
| 2 people sharing | 2455.- |
| 4 people sharing | 2045.- |
| 6 people sharing | 1990.- |
| Note: prices are based on two adults and indicative. Single supplement is $ 170 | |
- Included:
- Meals as stipulated |B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner
- All transfers and activities as mentioned above
- Park fee, Conservation fees and Community Development Fees
- Accommodation as stipulated
- Water, Tea and Coffee During the Climb
- Excluded:
- Visa and airport departure tax
- Items of personal nature and not mentioned in the above itinerary
- Tips for Guides, Assistant Guides, Porters and Cooks
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