5 to 6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek - UMBWE ROUTE

5 to 6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek - UMBWE ROUTE

The Umbwe route, which is based in the south, is a classic 6 day tour and is by far the most difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. The first two days are extremely steep, muddy and generally strenuous making it only suitable for well-trained mountaineers. An acclimatization day is rarely offered on the standard programme, but can be added whereby giving the climber an extra day in the Karanga Valley. The descent trail is the same as the Mweka Route.

Itinerary

Day 1: Umbwe Cave Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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 as an area that gets reliable rain year round. The forest abounds with wildlife; small bushbuck &

Duikers as well as monkeys. There is also rich and varied bird 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.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Umbwe Cave Camp

Day 2: Umbwe cave Camp - Barranco Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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 heath land 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’s southern flank and across the Mount Meru some 50 miles away. Wildlife changes with the vegetation, jackals may be heard barking and the huge Lammergeyer seen circling overhead. The camp is overlooking the Barranco Valley with views up towards Arrow Glacier.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Barranco Camp

Day 3: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Habitat: Alpine Desert. On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall – a 950 ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Karanga Camp

Day 4: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Habitat: Alpine desert From Karanga the tour heads up a moraine ridge taking your time and going slowly. The views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep,

and as always it’s taken it very slowly. As with the day before you reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: A night at Barafu Camp

Day 5: Barafu Camp - Summit - Mweka Hut

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a north-western 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 / 18,652 ft), 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.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mweka Camp

Day 6: Mweka Camp – Mweka gate

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Habitat: Forest 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 be driven to our offices so that you can fill in our questioners.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.