Adventure
Price
$1,510 per person
Duration
6 Days
Destination
Mount Kilimanjaro

6 Days Umbwe Route

  • Information
  • Tour Plan
  • Location
  • Reviews
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.

What's included

Destination
Mount Kilimanjaro Discover Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
Day 1

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha town

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.

Day 2

Umbwe Cave Camp

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.

Day 3

Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

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.

Day 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

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

Day 5

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

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.

Day 6

Mweka Camp–Mweka gate

– 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.

 

 

6-DAY CLIMB + 2 DAYS IN A HOTEL, before & after the climb

Package Price 2024/2025

The price for 1 - 3 pax is $ 1,890 per single Climber.

The Price for 4 - 7 pax is $ 1,690 per single Climber.

The Price for 8+ pax is $ 1,510 per single Climber.

 

What is included in the Kilimanjaro Package?

Transfers:

  • Pick-up and drop-off at Arusha/Kilimanjaro International Airport;
  • Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park.
  • Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;

Entry fees:

  • All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fees, rescue fees and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).

Accommodation:

  • One night on arrival at 3*- 4* hotel (New Arusha Hotel) before the expedition. The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool, hot shower).
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Please note:

All accommodation is on a sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).

Meals:

  • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
  • All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
  • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).

Hiking and safety equipment

  • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
  • All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
  • The Helicopter rescue is free (book with us so we can give you the helicopter)
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
  • GPS-tracking service;
  • Complete medical kits.

Climbing crew:

  • Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience;
  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)

Kilimanjaro Price Excludes:

  • Local airfares, international airfares.
  • International Travel Insurance
  • Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival.
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
  • Meals not listed above on those arrival and departure days
  • Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
  •  Tips for per climber 250-350 per trip.
  • Any items of a personal nature.
  • Currently, the cost of portable toilets is not included in the tour package to reduce trip expenses. Public restrooms are available in camps along the way. However, for those who prioritize comfort, renting a portable toilet is highly recommended, $270 to 350$ for the entire trip.

 

How Many Porters Are Required to Conquer Kilimanjaro?

 

Embarking on a daring expedition up the majestic Kilimanjaro warrants meticulous planning, dear adventurer. Rest assured, for we have accounted for every aspect of your conquest. Picture this: your personal porter, unwavering and valiant, shall bear the weight of your gear, from trekking essentials to culinary apparatus. And should your journey necessitate the comforts of a private lavatory, fret not, for your porter will dutifully transport it as well.

Adventure awaits!

 

  1. OF CLIMBER NO OF PORTERS

1 Climber                                                     3 To 4 Porters

2 Climbers                                                    5 To 6 Porters

3 Climbers                                                    8 To 9 Porters

4 Climbers                                                    11 To 13 Porters

5 Climbers                                                    13 To 15 Porters

6 Climbers                                                    17 To 20 Porters

 

But, dare I say, we go above and beyond mere adequacy! Any bespoke needs you may harbor shall be met with an additional porter by your side, ready to offer unwavering support. No request is too great!

Of course, dear explorer, we are well aware of the limitations our tireless porters face. A weight threshold exists, as a sanction upon the burdens they may shoulder. Fear not, however, for the finest of companies, such as ours, uphold a remarkable porters-to-clients ratio. This ensures that our gallant companions can tackle their duties with unparalleled efficiency, permitting them to provide you with the best possible experience.
Rest easy, knowing that your needs shall be zealously met.

Now, without further ado, let us dive into the captivating specifics.
NB:
Tips should be submitted to the office.

More about Mount Kilimanjaro

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.

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6 Days Umbwe Route

Price
$1,510 per person
Duration
6 Days
Destination
Mount Kilimanjaro

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