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ROUTE OVERVIEW
The Umbwe Route is steeper and shorter than the Machame Route. Once at the Barranco Hut, you continue on with the other Machame hikers. The descent is down the Mweka trail.
Since it is a very short and direct route, it is not recommended for people with little altitude experience.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 30 minutes). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
•Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
•Distance: 11km/7mi
•Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
•Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Umbwe Cave Camp
Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
•Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
•Distance: 11km/7mi
•Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
•Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp
Day 3: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
•Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
•Distance: 5km/3mi
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Karanga Camp
Day 4: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
•Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
•Distance: 4km/2mi
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp
Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
•Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
•Down to 3090m/10,150ft
•Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
•Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp
Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha City
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). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha city. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.
•Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
•Distance: 10km/6mi
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations in Arusha City
INCLUDED
- Accommodation according to the itinerary
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Professional, English-speaking safari cook
- Overnight stays in safari tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables etc.)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water
- All mentioned activities
- All national park fees
EXCLUDED
- Sleeping bag
- Flights
- Optional activities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
