6 DAY Umbwe ROUTE      

Overview    

Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route which based in the south and is said to be the most scenic and difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. Main reason that Umbwe route considered to be very hard is its steepness in the first two days with extremely muddy. Although the traffic on this route is low, the chances of success are also low. This route only recommended for experienced and well-trained climbers. Its short time of acclimatization within a 6 days/ 5 nights tour.

ARRIVE IN TANZANIA

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be meet with All weather adventures representative, picked up there and transfer to hotel in Moshi town. Then you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gears. Gear(s) which is missing can be rented on this day.

Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1800m) to Umbwe Camp (2850m)

Approx. hiking time: 4-6 hours

Distance covered: 11 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel around 8:00 am and driven through banana plantations, finally arriving at Umbwe Gate (1800m). Upon arriving at Umbwe Gate, Boko Explorers will handle all pre-hike formalities. Once these formalities are complete, you will take the first step toward fulfilling your lifelong dream. The scenic Umbwe route initially follows a forestry track, winding up through a natural rainforest. As you progress, the path narrows and steepens, leading you to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. Your first camp will be perched amidst towering trees and dense undergrowth..

Day 2: Umbwe Camp (2850 m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)

Approx. hiking time: 4 hours

Distance covered: 7 km

Habitat: Montane Forest/ Moorland

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Shortly after leaving the camp, the Montane Forest will begin to thin, and it will eventually be replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth, and straggly, moss-covered trees. Continuing along a spectacular ridge, we will gain altitude and catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro, rising majestically ahead of you, etched against the blue sky. As you approach the Barranco Valley, the path flattens. 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 prepared.

Day 3: Barranco Camp (3900 m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)

Approx. hiking time: 4 hours

Distance covered: 6 km

Habitat: alpine desert

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner Included

After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the formidable Barranco Wall, where you’ll tackle this imposing obstacle, which surprisingly turns out to be easier than it appears. We pass beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers as we head towards the Karanga Valley. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, the descent offers truly breathtaking views. From the camp, you can gaze eastward and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Following a hot lunch in camp, the afternoon is yours to enjoy, but we highly recommend resting and taking a brief nap. This short day is crucial for acclimatization, as your summit push is about to begin. For those feeling strong, we offer a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4,200 meters before descending back to camp for the night.

Day 4: Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barrafu Camp (4600 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3 hours

Distance covered: 4 km

Habitat: alpine desert

Meal: breakfast and lunch included

After breakfast, you will begin your hike to Barafu Camp (4640 m). Along the way, be prepared to enjoy the beautiful views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Upon reaching the campsite, lunch will be provided. Take advantage of a quiet afternoon by heading to your tent to get some much-needed rest in preparation for the long journey ahead. Dinner will be served early, and then it’s back to your tent to get some sleep. Alarms will be set around midnight to start the moment you’ve been preparing for: the climb to the summit.

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640 m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Mweka Camp (3100 m)

Approx. hiking time: 14 hours

Distance covered: 16 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

As the new day starts, you will be awoken at midnight with some light tea and breakfast. After final preparations, we will begin our 4 to 5-hour climb, gaining incredible height over a very short distance. The view is spectacular as the sun begins to rise. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5756 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Then it will take us 1 hour from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Once at Uhuru Point, you need to celebrate your accomplishment – you made it. Photos will be taken to show to all of your friends and family back home, and after admiring the views, we will start the descent to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest. The day is not yet over; in the early afternoon, we will descend down to Mweka Camp (3100 m) where you can enjoy dinner and reflect on your successful summit of Kilimanjaro before retiring to your tent for some much-needed rest.

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Approx. hiking time: 3 hours

Distance covered: 10 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meal: breakfast and lunch Included

After breakfast, the final descent begins. It is a couple of hours’ walk from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your certificates and can finally enjoy a nice, cold beverage. After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a private car will then take you back to your hotel, where you can enjoy the warm shower you have been craving. It’s definitely time to celebrate!

End of The Trip