The Umbwe Route is the steepest and shortest also directly route to Uhuru Peak, this route mostly used by special people who have been to the mountain before because of its steepness. The route used for ascending and descend fast, the people who hold the record use this route.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met outside customs area by driver guide and your head mountain guide holding a sign board written clearly your booking name and drive to Arusha for overnight.
The Umbwe Route departs from the south. Most trekkers get driven from Moshi or Arusha to the Machame gate, where registration takes place. From there trekkers are transferred to the Umbwe Gate at 1,600 meters. Here you will start your trek with your guide and porters. The route follows a forest track through the rainforest before steepening between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. If the weather clear you will get a good view of Kibo in the distance. It takes approximately 5-7 hours to reach Umbwe Cave Camp at 2,850 meters;10.5 km/6 miles from your starting point. The camp site between large evergreen trees and thick undergrowth, with UmbweCave a short walk away.
Dinner and overnight at UMBWE CAVE CAMP.
On day two the land scape changes rapidly from rainforest to moorland, with rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation. The path follows the narrow Umbwe Route ridge until it begins to flatten close to the Barranco valley. The Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) sits in the valley under the shadow of the Great Barranco wall with Kibo visible in the distance. You will notice the camp is pretty busy. This is because you will be joining hikers from the Machame, Lemosho and Shira Route here.
Dinner and Overnight at BARRANCO CAMP
This morning you begin your hike to Karanga Camp where you will arrive in time for lunch. You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco Cliff and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain most of the way to your next camp. The climbing is not considered difficult and you should arrive at your camp late afternoon and you are well advised to rest as much as you possibly can to prepare for the climb ahead. Also, this is a day on which we supply fresh foods from town market to make sure that our clients will have successful climb for the remaining days.
Dinner and overnight at KARANGA CAMP (BLD)
The scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Lunch will be taken along the way or at Barafu Camp. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one.
Dinner and overnight at BARAFU CAMP (BLD)
You will be awakened at midnight and after a light breakfast, start climbing at around 1 a.m. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Here, very few will not be suffering from altitude sickness in some form or another; and climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb. Temperatures will range from -4° to 5° Fahrenheit. Making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, you will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater at Stella Point. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit. Uhuru Peak stands at 5895 m and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey.
The descent is now easier than the ascent. You will reach Barafu Camp after about three hours (around 11:30 AM). Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5:00PM, you will have trekked a total of thirteen hours today.
Dinner and overnight at MWEKA CAMP (BLD)
After breakfast then continue to go down to Mweka gate where you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. Meet by a driver guide and drive back to your hotel in Arusha. It is a welcome treat to sleep in a bed, take a hot shower and celebrate.
Departure transfer to Kilimanjaro airport. End of Kilimanjaro climb services:
Exclusions
We love hearing from travelers around the world — share your ideas, ask your questions, or tell us what kind of experience you’re dreaming of.
