Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek – Umbwe Route 6 Days

Trip Introduction

The Umbwe route on Mount Kilimanjaro is the most challenging due to the fast ascent to high altitude, which does not allow for proper acclimatization.

Despite the low traffic on this particular trail, the success rate is also notably low. This can be attributed to the strenuous nature of the route, which presents significant challenges that only hikers who are capable of adapting quickly to altitude can overcome. As such, this trail is best suited for experienced hikers who are familiar with high-altitude environments and have the necessary skill set to tackle this arduous journey.

The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route.

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 Campsite

Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 2850m
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 Campsite

Elevation: 2850m to 3950m
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 Karanga campsite

Elevation: 3950m to 3963m
Distance: 6 km.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Today you will be having a short day walk and in the late morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a short rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the screed slopes towards the Southern ice field then you will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite

Elevation: 3963m to 4643m
Distance: 3 km.
Hiking Time: 3hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4643m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. The summit is now a further 1342m up and you will make the final ascent tonight. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Day 5: Barafu hut campsite to Uhuru peak to Mweka hut campsite

Elevation:4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance:15 km.
Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
Habitat:Desert and Ice

The day starts around midnight with a light breakfast, and then last preparations for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00am, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861m between 4 and 5am. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you and all spectacular all area surrounding you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some time for taking photos. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Barafu Huts campsite, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue your walk down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts campsite, then dinner and overnight at Mweka hut campsite.

Day 6: Mweka hut campsite to Mweka gate

Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km.
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest this descent will take 3-4 hours. Then here at the gate you will do sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for certificate presentation and a well-deserved 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.

The difference between the Standard Package and the Deluxe Package

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 Route	$ 1,850	$ 1,730	$ 1,720	$ 1,700	$ 1,690	$ 1,650	$ 1,630	$ 1,605	$ 1,505

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 Route	$2,895	$ 2,380	$ 2,250	$2,150	$ 2,120	$2,050	$2,020	$1,960	$1,920

Tanzanian Residents pay 80% of rates & East African Citizens pay 60% of rates.

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