Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Climb 7 Days

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Wherever you plan to start your adventure, Mighty Africa Xpeditions can arrange everything you need.We can develop personalized itineraries to explore the furthest.

HIKING HIGHLIGHT

The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route. The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize. However, overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended and we discourage its usage for our clients.

TOUR MAP & ELEVATION

FULL SAFARI ITINERARY

We have carefully planned out each day to give you the best possible experience. From exploring historic landmarks to tasting delicious local cuisine, each day is packed with adventure and excitement. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most fascinating destinations in the world.

Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)

At 8am leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places.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. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival.

Day 2: Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.

Day 3: Day 4: 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 (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.

Day 5: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)

After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.

The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.

At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)

After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.

INCLUDES

  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • 2 Nights’ accommodation in Moshi is or Arusha included
  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four seasons private mountain sleeping tents
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Quality mess tents with table and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Clean purified drinking water
  • Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance fees
  • All Government taxes and levies including 18% VAT.

EXCLUDES

  • International or Local Flights
  • Optional activities
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel insurance

MOUNTAIN FULL HIKING GUIDE

Embarking on a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro is a thrilling adventure, and proper preparation is key to ensuring a successful and safe ascent. Firstly, choose the right route that suits your fitness level and preferences. Acclimatization is crucial to combat altitude sickness, so opt for a route with a gradual ascent and built-in acclimatization days. Invest in high-quality gear, including warm clothing, a reliable sleeping bag, and sturdy hiking boots. Stay hydrated throughout the climb to help your body adjust to the altitude.

 
Hiking Routes
Kilimanjaro

Hiking Routes

Best Time to Climb
Kilimanjaro

Best Time to Climb

Healthy & Safety
Kilimanjaro

Healthy & Safety

Hiking Equipments
Kilimanjaro

Hiking Equipments

Daily Routine
Kilimanjaro

Daily Routine

MAKE YOUR DREAM TRIP COME TRUE WITH US

At Mighty Africa Xpeditions, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences, and our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

MOUNTAIN HIKING FAQ’S

Do you arrange airport transfers?

Airport transfers are not included in the price of this tour, however you can book for an arrival transfer in advance. Our representative will be at the airport to greet you. To arrange this please contact our customer service team once you have a confirmed booking.

How much weight of equipment will I carry?

You are expected to carry your own day pack, with only things which should be able to sustain you until you reach the next camp at the end of the day. You do not need to carry your personal backpack/ duffel pack - It will be carried by our porters.

What if I am slower than the other trekkers?

No worries about that - this is a common concern. It is much better for your body if you proceed slowly and guides will permanently remind you about this (“pole-pole” - which means “slowly slowly”). By walking slowly, your body will much better acclimatize to high altitude. There is plenty of time allocated each day for the treks, even for those who like to go very slowly.

What if I cannot make it to the top?

Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Even for those who never reached the top, the experience of the wonders of Kilimanjaro is very rewarding. If one or more members of the group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or Hut. Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.

What is the accommodation like during trekking?

On the Marangu Route, there are simple basic Huts. The first 2 Huts sleep four people each and the last Hut is a dome-style with bunk beds. On all the other routes, you will sleep in 3 dome-style Tents, two people each. The Tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules keep equipment from the elements. They are set up, broken down and carried- along with everything else- by our porters. There are public toilets set up at every campsite, but portable toilets are available upon request at the cost of $ 100 per group for the whole tour. Hot water is provided for each person every morning but No showers during trek There will be dining tents with chairs and tables where all meals will be served. Before any meal, we will provide soap and hot water for washing your hands.

What is the food like on the mountain?

For each trek on the Mount a dedicated cook will be part of the logistical team. They are professional chefs and have the ability to prepare different kinds of dishes. Please see a sample page for Dietary Menu.

What if I get sick up the mountain?

You shouldn't worry- You are in safe hands. Our guides are professionally trained to handle all sorts of distress and respond quickly and accordingly. They all have Wilderness First Aid Responder qualification and they will all time bring you to safety. They will directly call for an emergency evacuation if the situation worsens.

When and where does the tour start?

The tours are scheduled to start in Moshi, departing on Daily basis. However, circumstances like clients’ arrival time, activities to be done and client’s preference could affect the program. Our company is flexible for such arrangements and adjustments. Normally the program starts around 7:30 AM

When and where does the tour End?

The tours are scheduled to End in Moshi. You may also wish to be dropped outside Moshi at an extra cost depending on the place of drop off. However, our travel specialists will need to know your specific drop-off point prior to the hike to get aligned with the program

REQUEST TRAVEL PROPOSAL

MAKE YOUR DREAM TRIP COME TRUE WITH US

GREAT CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES

We have been receiving reviews from our served clients, and Mighty Africa Xpeditions is rated 5/5 by customers. This honor is given to us by customers because we always remain committed to all our customers to do whatever is needed by them to make their safari fully satisfied. 

jo2580
jo2580
2024-01-23
Verified
I’m beyond satisfied with my lemosho trek together with Mighty Africa Xpeditions We did the 8 day Lemosho trek with Mighty Africa Xpeditions and we had the most incredible time. Our guide Damian, Joel and Jackson took amazing care of us, the porters were great fun and impressed us with their strength and speed everyday and the food was really tasty every breakfast, lunch and dinner. Once in a lifetime experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it with Mighty Africa Xpeditions again. You really feel part of the family by the end of the trip.
Cavin marcov
Cavin marcov
2024-01-22
Verified
Best experience ever Our safari experience was fantastic and exceeded my expectations. The trip with Mighty Africa Xpeditions was amazing, featuring competitive pricing and a well-crafted itinerary. The guide was Excellent, highly experienced, trustworthy, and provided valuable assistance and information. Each evening, we collaborated to plan the schedule for the next day after sunset. I strongly recommend this company.
alexander
alexander
2024-01-15
Verified
Mighty Africa Xpeditions was professional and delivered what they promised. We fully recommend using their services. We were a group of 6 people, did a couple of days of safari at Tarangire National Park and Kilimanjaro trekking via Lemosho route (8 days). Everything has been terrific and ran very smoothly! Sarah at the office, it has been great during the booking process. She replied to all our questions with patience and competence. A staff Member showed up at the hotel with our trekking head guide the day before departing for the trekking for the briefing and for checking all our equipment. Colman, our head guide and Sadiki, the assistant guide: they have been professional, very friendly and helpful. They went above and beyond and I'm 100% sure that listening to their advice has been the main key to reaching the summit!, Summiting the mountain was one of the most difficult things I have ever done but with the support of the guides and porters I was able to make it to the summit. It was one of the best experiences of my life and one I won't ever forget.

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