Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Safaris
KILIMANJARO Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Climbing
Kilimanjaro climb - Umbwe Route
Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Climbing
The 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 - Moshi
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and
assisted. Transfer to Keys Annex Hotel in Moshi
for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in
readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: 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: 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: 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: 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 ˝
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: 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: 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 Moshi for a long overdue
hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight at Keys
Annex Hotel, B,L.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight
back home or continue with your safari schedule.
End of services. B
Tour Price: US$ 1,510 per person sharing. Single
room supplement: US$ 80
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 detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and
D=Dinner
-Accommodations at Keys Annex Hotel for 2 nights
and 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
-Mountain rescue fees
Excluded:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and
climbing gears
-Medical evacuation, USD 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras
not detailed in the above itinerary.
Umbwe
route on mount Kilimanjaro, Umbwe route climbing
Kenya
Safari Holidays
