6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful.

 

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6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route / Mt. Kilimanjaro Hike

6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trek, 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trek Tours

The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest and shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers.

Add to your experience – OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER!! Be one of a few fortunate people to spend a night in Africa’s largest volcano. This option is highly recommended, as this will be the only opportunity to get close to the beautiful and fascinating glaciers of Kilimanjaro and to be able to visit the ash pit.

Safari Highlights:

Itinerary Details

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Umbwe Gate. Here you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA).

You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Bivouac Camp (2940m) in the late afternoon or early evening.

The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

After an early morning breakfast, you will start your ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. As you ascent, the trail provides a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The trail then flattens then descends into the Barranco Valley until you reach Barranco Camp.

At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and the Great Barranco Wall in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you.

You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of hiking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). After eating lunch at Lava Tower, hikers will scramble up the steep Class 2 trail to the Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m).

After an early morning breakfast, hikers will continue to scramble up the Class 2 trail on rocks. During the rain season, an ice ax and crampons are required due to icy conditions. Hikers slowly ascend up the Western Breach to the Crater (5700m).

Upon reaching the top of the crater, you will be amazed by the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier directly in front of you. At the campsite, you have the option of completing a day hike to the infamous Ash Pit (1.5 hour) of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The ash pit is 340m across and 120m deep. After hiking, you will enjoy a warm dinner and be one of the few and fortunate hikers to stay at the inner, snow-covered crater of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Wake up at around 0400hr for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. For about 2 hours, you will hike on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Descent to Barafu begins.

The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Following a well-deserved breakfast, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion.

Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

**Please note: Safety conditions or weather may cause the itinerary to change without warning. Hike times are estimated, calculated to form a comfortable pace throughout the ascent. The itinerary above serves only as a guide. You can add an extra day if you so wish. You can summit Mt Kilimanjaro via Arrow Glacier or Barafu Camp with Umbwe Route.

Included in the Safari Cost

  • Arrival & Departure airport transfers complementary to all our clients.
  • Transportation as per itinerary.
  • Accommodation per itinerary or similar with a request to all our clients.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
  • Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
  • Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
  • Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
  • Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress
  • Water for washing up daily
  • National park & game reserve entrance fees as per itinerary.
  • Excursions & activities as per itinerary with a request
  • Mount Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
  • A comprehensive Climbing Mount Kenya travel info pack
  • Flying Doctor Evacuation Service

Excluded in the Safari Cost

  • Visas and related costs.
  • Personal Taxes.
  • Drinks, tips, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature.
  • International flights.
  • Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in.

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