Umbwe route is one of the express but sharpest routes to the Southern Glaciers, affording one view of the forests, valleys, magnificent vegetation, and glaciers. Though, hikers must be pre-acclimatized prior to trying this route particularly if one opts to summit via Western Breach as you gain altitude very rapidly over a smaller distance. This, however, does not make the Umbwe Route a technical route up Kilimanjaro just physically challenging.
| safari type : | Trekking / Climbing |
| You will visit: | Umbwe Gate, Umbwe Cave Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Camp |
| Getting Around: | Walking |
| Start/End: | Arusha |
| Minimum Age: | 18+ |
After your long flight, you’ll be pleased to spend your first night in comfort at your hotel, the Planet Lodge in Arusha. You will be picked-up by Gifted Adventures driver, who will be waiting to meet and welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your flight. Your adventure has begun!
Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Drinking Mineral Water only
Drive from Arusha to the Umbwe Gate. Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Elevation:5450ft to 9350ft
Distance:11 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat:Rainforest
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 9350ft to 13,000ft
Distance:6km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat:Semi- Desert
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:13,000ft to 13,250ft
Distance:5 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
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:13,250ft to 15,350ft
Distance:4 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
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:3,250ft to 15,350ft
Distance:4 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
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 a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. 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. 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:15,350ft to 19,340ft to 10,150ft
Distance:5km up / 13km down
Hiking Time:5 km up / 13 km Down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
Elevation:10,150ft to 5500ft
Distance:10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Today is the day that you say goodbye to our team. Congratulations, you just hiked the highest freestanding mountain on planet Earth and the tallest mountain in Africa. You will remember these memories for the rest of your life. Upon waking up today, your guide will be with you until you need leave for Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel
Meals:Breakfast
Drinking Mineral Water only
Kindly call us at +255 753 900 422 if you require any immediate assistance.
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