Climb Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Introduction

This route is the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. It follows a forested ridge to the moorlands and then traverses below the Southern Icefields to reach the Barafu Route which is followed to the summit. An early start is made on the summit day to reach Stella Point, on the Crater Rim at dawn. Uhuru Peak lies a further 40 min. along the rim.  An extra day can be added to our itinerary to explore or relax along the route, (best taken at the Barranco Hut). We will do Pre- Trip briefing and equipment check a day before, our guide will meet you for the briefing and equipment check. He will arrange with you the departure time for your Kilimanjaro climb route. We are also happy to help you with your hotel reservations and airport transfers. Just tell us!

“Kilimanjaro is a snow-covered mountain 19,710 feet high and is said to be the highest mountain in Africa. Its western summit is called the Masai ‘Ngaje Ngai’, the House of God. Close to the western summit there is a dried and frozen carcass of a leopard. No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.”

-Hemingway Ernest, The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories-

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Umbwe Caves Campsite (2900M/9514 ft)

Drive to Kilimanjaro Park gate. After registration, you will have a seven-hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to a camping area – Umbwe Caves Campsite. Take your time walking through this section – it will help towards acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at Umbwe caves campsite.

Remember you are on holidays, enjoy yourself!

Day 2: Barranco Caves (3901 M/12,800 ft)

Today is a fairly steep walk through the forest, and along a sharp ridge, before the path flattens as you approach Barranco Campsite, in the moor land zone. A fairly long and strenuous day (+- 6 hours walking), as the altitude is now beginning to be felt.

Overnight at Barranco campsite.

“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.”

-Barry Finlay, Kilimanjaro, and Beyond-

Day 3: Karanga Valley campsite last water point (3963 Ma/13,000 ft)

From Barranco Wall to last water point Karanga Valley. (Is 5-6 hours) Hike up to 4200m, dropping down to 4000m to camp. Overnight at Karanga Campsite.

“Kilimanjaro is a pretty tricky climb you know, most of it’s up until you reach the very very top, and then it tends to slope away rather sharply.”

–Monty Python-

Day 4: Barranco campsite (4,600 M/15,091 ft)

Today is a shorter hike than the past few days, hiking up to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit. Today is the best day to get lots of rest.

Kilimanjaro lies just 205 miles from the equator

Day 5: Mweka campsite (3100 M/10,170 ft)

You will start trekking early, just after midnight as the walk today will take 10 – 14 hours. We will try to avoid the mist that sets in later in the day. The 1,100-meter (3,600’) ascent in just over 3 km (1.86 miles) will take us about 7-8 hours, as we try to reach the summit to watch the sunrise over the Great Rift Valley. After watching the sunrise and taking pictures, you will have a tough hike, descending down the mountain to below the tree line. Take a small rest at Barafu campsite then proceed to Mweka campsite for dinner and overnight /stay.

The oldest person to successfully climb Kilimanjaro is 88-year-old Dr. Fred Distelhorst, a retired American orthodontist who broke the world record in 2017

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3100 m/10,170 ft)

On your final day, we will have a short 3-hour hike out, walking through the thick forest. After collecting your certificate, you will then meet our driver with the vehicle at the Mweka park gate to drive back to the Hotel Moshi/Arusha.

Last Eruption? 360,000 years ago

Price in US$ per person:

Price includes:

• Transfers from the hotel at Moshi to the Climbing route Gate
• Climbing and camping fees
• Rescue fee
• Porters (3porters per person), cooker and guide/s
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) while climbing.
• Accommodations on the Mountain
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Accommodation at Moshi town in a standard shared room, bed and breakfast, before and after the climb.

Price does not include:

• Camping and Climbing gear,
• Accommodation before and after the climb
• Items of personal nature, laundry, tips, and gratuities,
• Travel insurance.