6-DAYS | 5 NIGHTS KILIMANJARO HIKING VIA UMBWE ROUTE

The route is considered to be the most challenging trail on the mountain and does not provide stages for acclimatization, it approaches the mountain from the south; it is short and steep and heads direct to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The route receives fewer crowds because of its challenging ascent, and its low success rate.

Only the experienced mountaineers are advised to hike using the umbwe route and those familiar with high altitude areas and have enough confidence on their ability to acclimatize quickly. The accommodation available is only camping and huts are not available on the route. Descent is done via mweka route.

ITINERARY

Arrival from Kilimanjaro airport – Moshi

After arrival at Kilimanjaro airport you will meet your guide waiting for you with a smile; relax and enjoy your drive as you’re transferred to the hotel in Moshi. Get some rest as you prepare yourself for an amazing adventure of 6 days umbwe route Kilimanjaro climbing.

Accommodation:

Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast

Overnight stay:

Moshi - Kilimanjaro White House Hotel

DAY 1

UMBWE GATE (5249ft) - UMBWE CAMP (9,514ft) - Kilimanjaro hiking

The hike will begin with a 50 minute drive to machame gate and after all formalities are done we will transfer to umbwe gate passing through coffee and banana plantations. The strenuous and long hike will follow passing through the rainforest and onto a mountain ridge.

Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft

Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

DAY 2:

UMBWE CAMP (9,514ft) - BARRANCO CAMP (13,044ft) - Kilimanjaro hiking

Proceed with trekking following rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly moss covered trees. Kilimanjaro can be spotted as we gain altitude. As we keep, moving the path flattens and we will descend to barranco camp through the beautiful senecio forest

Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 9,514ft to 13,044ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Heath

DAY 3

Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp - Kilimanjaro hiking

We start this day by descending to the base of the intimidating barranco wall. Afterwards we hike the non – technical yet steep cliff. From the top of barranco we go across a sequence of hill and valleys until we descend into karanga valley. The day is short to improve acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044ft – 13, 106ft

Distance: 5km

Hiking time: 4 -5 hours

Habitat: alpine desert

DAY 4

Karanga Camp- Barafu Camp- Kilimanjaro hiking

We depart from karanga and reach the intersection which connects with mweka trail. We then proceed to barafu hut. This will be the completion of southern route which offers a spectacular view of the summit from different angles. Here we will rest and enjoy a tasteful early dinner as we prepare for the summit on the next day. The two peaks of kibo and mawenzi are clearly visible here.

Elevation: 13,106ft -15,331ft

Distance: 4km

Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours

Habitat: alpine desert

DAY 5

BARAFU CAMP (15,331ft) -UHURU PEAK (19,341ft)- MWEKA CAMP (10,065ft). - Kilimanjaro hiking

On this day we will push our way to the summit our trek will begin around midnight, this can a bit more physically and mentally challenging compared to the other parts of the trek.

After reaching Stella Point (18,600ft), we will take a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, snow may be encountered all the way on our 1-hour ascent to the summit. Your time at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa will be brief. Take as many pictures as you want, enjoy your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point.

From the summit, we will immediately start our descent straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. . The trail is rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are useful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. We will later enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and take a well-earned rest.

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

DAY 6

MWEKA CAMP (10,065ft) -MOSHI - Kilimanjaro hiking

Following a well-earned breakfast, we will have a celebration with all the team and afterwards will have a three hours walk to mweka gate. Upon arrival at the gate you will receive your gold certificate for reaching the summit and there after head to mweka village where we will meet our driver who will take you back to your hotel for a long rest.

Distance Covered: 9.1km

Time to be used: 3hrs

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch