6 Days Umbwe Route
Climb Kilimanjaro for 6 Days Umbwe Route – The Umbwe Route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the south, the Umbwe Route is a short, steep and direct climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail follows the southern circuit to the summit. The descent is done via the Mweka Route. Umbwe is considered to be a very difficult and taxing route, one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are also confident of their ability to acclimatize to the high altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro.
6 Days Umbwe Route
Recommended itinerary
Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
The climb starts from Umbwe Gate (1,800 m.) The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. There is no water available at this campsite, so we must carry from the gate all the water needed for drinking, food preparation and cleaning.
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest along the Umbwe
ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp situated in the valley.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi desert
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up Barranco Valley to Karanga camp (4,000 m).
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: About13 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast at the Karanga valley camp, you will walk a ridge and enter a cold desert for about 4 hours and then reach the Barafu Hut. Crews will collect water from the last water stop at Karanga Valley in morning, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” as it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents as this is a dangerous area. The summit is now 1345m above you, and you will make the final ascent tonight. Prepare your equipment, ski stick, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. Make sure and replace the batteries in your headlamp and camera and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing, it would be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed around 7 PM and try to get some good. Try not to sleep more than 5 hours.
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka camp Distance: ~ 7 km ascent – 23 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 11:30 PM and have some hot tea and biscuits before you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trip. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will witness in your lifetime (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow to Uhuru Peak (2 hour ascent). The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment as this is a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit will take about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest. You will then collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). This route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared. Drinking water, soft drinks, chocolate, and beer is available from the camp office if you so desire.
Hiking time: 3 hours
After Hot breakfast from in Mweka Campsite you will start walking slowly towards the mountain gate the walk takes about 3hours to get to the Mweka campsite where our driver will pick you and transfer you to the Hotel in Arusha.
The End of 6 Days Umbwe Route
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR ITINERARY
- Accommodation as per the itinerary.
- Pickup from the airport (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or bus terminal, and drop off when climb finished
- Professional Mountain guide
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as per the itinerary.
- All Park entrance fees
- Rescue fees
- Porter’s allowance
- Professional mountain cook
- Transfer to and from the mountain gate
- Conservation fees
- Local government taxes
- Clean water
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR ITINERARY
- Travel and personal health insurance
- All Internal or International flights and taxes
- All optional activities and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks
- Visas
- Passport
- Accommodation before and after safari
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