Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek – Umbwe Route 6 Day via Western Breach with Crater Night
Trip Introduction
Western Breach Route Kilimanjaro Climb is one of the least crowded routes and one of the most fascinating. This is by far the best non-technical route on the mountain and our summit day is only a 1 to 2 hours hike from our last camp.
The Western Breach is a route that not many companies offer due to special safety restrictions and required expertise and requirements for the mountain guides. Kilele Climb Tours is proud to offer this challenging route to ambitious and adventurous climbers. Please contact us for further information.
Please note: This route is inherently more dangerous than other routes for 2 reasons. Firstly, the amount of time spent at high altitude and accessing the western breach. This route should only be undertaken by fit individuals with experience in altitude and adventurous training.
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have chosen to use our airport transfer service, we will collect you from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trek briefing, which is scheduled for the day after your arrival. We recommend that you arrive at least one day before the trek begins. During the briefing, we will discuss the trek and review your equipment. If you require any additional equipment, we can arrange for it to be rented from our store.
Day 1: From Hotel to Umbwe Cave Camp
- Elevation: 1200m/3937 ft to 1700m/5577 ft to 2850m/9350 ft
- Distance: 10 km.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest.
Pick up with our vehicle from the hotel, drive to Umbwe gate. Here after completing the gate registration procedures, the trek starts through the rainforest to Umbwe cave campsite where you will find all tents already setup then stop for dinner and overnight. Today you will walk across ridges and valleys into a really thick forest.
Day 2: Umbwe Cave Campsite to Barranco Hut Camp
- Elevation: 2850m/9350 ft to 3950m/12,959 ft
- Distance: 9 km.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat:Montane Forest and Heather.
This day after breakfast you will trek through the remaining forest to the moorland and heath zone and you will be enjoying some wonderful views of Barranco valleys and ice cap on top of the mountain. Then you will arrive to barranco camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Barranco campsite to Arrow Glacier camp
- Elevation: 3950m/12,959 ft to 4903m/16,087 ft
- Distance: 2 km.
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
With the Western Breach ascent route in full view we will spend 3-4 hours climbing to the base of the route where we will camp near Arrow Glacier. An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help our acclimatization and improve our performance the following day.
Day 4: Arrow Camp to Crater Camp
- Elevation: 4903m/16,087 ft to 5639m/18,866 ft
- Distance: 3.5 km
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Artic
Today we will wake up early in the morning for breakfast and be ready to start the hike by 0500hrs. We will wind our way up the Western Breach non-technical climbing route for about 6 hours to the crater rim of the main Kilimanjaro summit massif. Those who still have the energy can explore the inner crater and the ash pit, this is raised circular inner rim, the inside of which slopes down to a flat floor and then 200m deep inverted cone at the very center of the volcano also Kilimanjaro has one of the most perfectly formed volcanic ash pit of any mountain in the world, before moving to our highest camp on the crater .floor. This spectacular high camp is next to the Furtwangler Glacier with stunning views westward toward Mount Meru and the setting African sun
Day 5: Crater Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 5739m/18,829 ftto 5895m/19,341 ft to 3200m/10,065
- Distance:12 km/7 miles
- Hiking Time:4-6 hours
- Habitat: Artic /Moorland
We will start our ascent to the summit (19,341 ft) early enough in the morning to reach the summit by sunrise. However, while your body may be aching from the day before, it will be nowhere as challenging because the peak is only 156 meters (512 feet) of ascent away, and won’t take more than one or two hours at most. This is quite a contrast to the 3,000-foot slog required to summit via all the other ascent routes on Kilimanjaro. The opportunity to see the new day’s climbers and the sunrise from the summit is a privilege that you won’t soon forget. Take some pictures, pat yourself on the back, hug your companions and enjoy the glistening pink and orange sunrise hues overlooking the ice fields and glaciers.
After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we will begin the long descent to Barafu Camp and down to our final camp Mweka Campsite.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Elevation:3100m/10,171 ft to 1700m/5578 ft
- Distance:9km.
- Hiking Time:3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. At the gate you will sign out and board the vehicle, ready for the transfer back to your hotel for your certificate presentation celebration.
Day 7: Departure – Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. After a good night’s rest at your hotel, you will take breakfast ready for the scheduled check-out by 10.00. (If you wish to remain in the hotel during the day, please advise us of this when you book your trip and we will inform you of the cost for day room which ends at 18:00hrs, and then make the booking on your behalf.)
If you have booked a transfer to the airport, you will be collected from your hotel and dropped off at the airport. For those travelers who have booked to go on safari, our Kilele Climb guide will be meeting you in the evening to provide you with a pre-safari briefing.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
For climbers, we offer two different packages to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. Our ‘Standard Package’ provides good and safe service at an affordable rate, while our ‘Deluxe Package’ offers a higher level of comfort and superior service delivery, including luxurious hotel accommodation and personalized safety features.
Standard Package
The standard climb is an optimal choice for most travelers, as it strikes a balance between affordability and high-quality service. This package includes standard hotel accommodation, top-notch mountain support from expert guides and porters, who will take care of all your luggage and equipment, set up tents, cook meals, and handle any issues that may arise during the hike. The menu served on the hike is diverse, featuring a first course, a second course with a variety of meat and fish, a rich selection of drinks and starters, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
This climb promises to be a pleasurable journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. It offers an exceptional experience that combines adventure with comfort, and ensures that travelers can focus on the awe-inspiring natural beauty that surrounds them.
Deluxe Package
The Deluxe Package is designed for climbers who value comfort and safety as they ascend Kilimanjaro. This premium package offers a wide range of amenities and accommodations at the best hotels in the region. Our ultimate level of service guarantees an unforgettable experience during your Tanzanian expedition. In addition to all the benefits of the Standard Package, the Deluxe Package provides extra conveniences and superior accommodations at top-rated hotels. Our commitment to excellence and unparalleled expertise ensures that your journey to Tanzania will be an unforgettable experience.
Safety | Standard Package | Deluxe Package |
Fully-loaded medical Kits | ||
Emergence oxygen tank | ||
Pulse Oximeter: To conduct a daily measurement of oxygen levels for each climber. | ||
ALTOX Personal Oxygen System | ||
A stretcher or a Litter fully rigid steel frame. | ||
The Gamow Bag: A hyperbaric chamber (portable altitude chamber) for emergency situations. | ||
VHF handheld radios: Carried on each trek for easy communication between guides, camp managers, and the office. | ||
The rescue fee in the mountains. | ||
Management and Safety Procedures | ||
Medical evacuation with AMREF Flying Doctors or Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue. | ||
Health and Meals on the Mountain | Standard Package | Deluxe Package |
All meals while on the Mountain | ||
Fresh, healthy, and nutritious foods in large portions | ||
Clean, purified drinking water | ||
Champagne on Summit | ||
Warm water for washing every-day | ||
Individual washbasins are provided for each trekker and guest upon arrival at the campsite. | ||
Private Portable flush toilet | ||
Camping Equipment & Accommodation | Standard Package | Deluxe Package |
4 Season mountain tents, Double layered Sleeping Mats, Crew tents, Mess tent and Toilet tents | ||
Large aluminum chairs with backs and armrests, Aluminum Tables, High powered solar LED lights | ||
Sleeping Bags | ||
Accommodation – Bed and Breakfast | ||
Full board Accommodation – Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | ||
Standard hotel accommodations for 2 nights; one night before and one night after the trek. | ||
Comfort hotel accommodations for 2 nights; one night before and one night after the trek. | ||
Transport & Other Inclusions | Standard Package | Deluxe Package |
Arrival and Departure transfers | ||
Return Transportation in Destination Location | ||
All Government Taxes and all Park fees | ||
Professional experience mountain guides and porters | ||
Fair and ethical treatment of porters | ||
A personal Porter to carry your day-pack during summit attempt |
Standard Package Pricing
- Price Rates Per Person in US$. The prices in other currencies are given for comparison only.
Hiking Route/Days |
1 Pax |
2 Pax |
3 Pax |
4 Pax |
5 Pax |
6 Pax |
7 Pax |
8 Pax |
9+ Pax |
6 Days Umbwe via crater camp Route |
$ 2,050 |
$ 1,930 |
$ 1,920 |
$ 1,900 |
$ 1,890 |
$ 1,850 |
$ 1,830 |
$ 1,805 |
$ 1,705 |
Deluxe Package Pricing
- Price Rates Per Person in US$. The prices in other currencies are given for comparison only.
Hiking Route/Days |
1 Pax |
2 Pax |
3 Pax |
4 Pax |
5 Pax |
6 Pax |
7 Pax |
8 Pax |
9+ Pax |
6 Days Umbwe Umbwe via crater camp Route |
$3,095 |
$ 2,580 |
$ 2,450 |
$2,350 |
$ 2,320 |
$2,250 |
$2,220 |
$2,160 |
$2,120 |
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International airport to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before and after the climb bed and breakfast)
- Return transportation from Moshi/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain.
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- All national park fees
- Hut/camping fees
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Mess tent (for dining) Mini camping chairs/Tables/Candles
- Rescue fees
- Pulse oximeters & Portable oxygen tanks
- First aid kit
- 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated &filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Government taxes
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain.
EXCLUDED FROM THE PRICE:
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Gear for your climb
- Items of personal nature
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Visas
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charge $90$ for entire trek.
- Flights
- Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain htt://www.kiliporters.org/ tipping_recommendations.php
- Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber)
- Guides: 20$-30$ /day/guide
- Cook: 15$-20$/ day
- Porter: 7$-10$/day/porter