Explore Tours
What are the advantages of the Umbwe Route? As far as rewards go, while your calves and thighs will curse the day God paired them with somebody who would want to undertake such a climb, your heart and lungs will be thankful for the workout. Your eyes, too, will be grateful you chose Umbwe as they feast upon the scenery, particularly on the second morning as you leave the forest and find yourself walking on a narrow ridge between spindly heathers. The gobsmacking views on either side of the trail here are amongst the most dramatic the mountain has to offer, save for those on the summit itself. Your ears, too, will be glad that they’re stuck to the side of your head rather than anyone else’s for they’ll enjoy the break, this being the quietest trail of them all – at least until the second day when you find yourself joining the hordes at Barranco Camp, the busiest on the mountain.
Tour Plan
On arriving at Kilimanjaro international airport, our guide will meet you and drive you to Arusha SG Premium Hotel for an overnight stay. Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania and the capital of the Arusha Region, with a population of 416,442 plus 323,198 in the surrounding Arusha District Located below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, Arusha has a temperate climate. The city is close to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
Elevation (m): 2940m
--Elevation (ft.) 9500ft
--Distance: 8km
--Hiking time: 6-7 hours
--Habitat: Montana Forest
The majority of the hike on this first day is through the Montana Forest. Lush vegetation with very old trees and lilts of ferns and mosses mark this is an area that gets reliable rain year around. The forest abounds with wildlife; small bushbuck and duikers as well as monkeys. There is also rich and varied birds’ life. The first three hours or so is on gently rising land before steepening for the last two hours. The camp for the night is in a small clearing on the trail.
Elevation (m) 3860m
– Elevation (ft.) 12800ft
– Distance 8km Hiking time: 6-7 hours
– Habitat: Alpine Desert Shortly after starting the hike the forest gradually gives away to the giant heath. The trail has been following a ridge for some time and as it ascends through the heathland the ridge narrows and sharpens, finally becoming knife edge with steep drops on each side. As the height of the heath reduces there are stunning views of both Kilimanjaro southern flank and across Mount Meru some 50 miles away. Wildlife changes with the vegetation, jackals may be heard barking and the huge lammergeyer is seen circling overhead. The camp is overlooking the Barranco Valley with views up towards Arrow Glacier.
Elevation (m) 3860m to 4000m
– Elevation (ft.) 12700ft to 13800ft Distance: 7km
– hiking time: 4 hours
– Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. Karanga is the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. We will make camp to Barafu Hut, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
– Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
– Elevation (m): 4600m - Elevation (ft.) 15100ft
– Hiking time: 6hrs Distance: 7km
– Habitat: Alpine desert
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
--Elevation (ft.): 15100ft to 19300ft (and down to 10200ft)
– distance: 7km ascent/23km descent
--Hiking time: 6-8 hours ascent/7-8 hours descent
– Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Redman and Razzle glaciers. You head in a northwestern direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m/ 18652ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m
- Elevation (ft.) 10200ft to 6000ft
- Distance: 15km
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Habitat: Forts
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). To the gate where you will be met by our driver and transfer back to Arusha town for overnight.
Included/Exclude
- Pick and Drop Services
- 1 Meal Per Day
- Cruise Dinner & Music Event
- Visit 7 Best Places in the City With Group
- Additional Services
- Insurance
- Food & Drinks
- Tickets
