The Umbwe route is the toughest non-technical route up Kilimanjaro. It is very steep and you gain elevation quickly. This route is not recommended for those who do not have serious mountain climbing experience. An extra day to help in acclimatization is also recommended.

Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Trekking

Day 1 kilimanjaro airport - Arusha
Arrive Arusha. Transfer to Kibo Palace Hotel or Impala Hotel for overnight

Day 2:Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast you will be driven from Arusha to Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

Day 3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m).
Hiking time: 6 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands.
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you - etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.

Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m).
Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert.
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro's little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared.

Day 5: Arrow Glacier (4800m) - Crater (5700m).
Hiking time: 5 hours.Distance:
About 15 km's
Habitat: Semi desert/ Snowfields.

Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Crater (5700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m).Hiking time: 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak.
7/ 8 hours to descend to Mweka.
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Time spent on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk to Barafu camp from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest, before heading down to Millennium camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be provided as well as drinking water.

Day 7 Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m).
Hiking time: 3 hours.
Distance: Habitat: Forest
About 15 km's.
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour, scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate 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 (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You will then drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight at Kibo Palace Hotel or Impala Hotel .

For all bookings 5 months and more before Arrival we offer up to 10% discount on all kilimanjaro routes!

MT Kilimanjaro climb Umbwe Route : Prices are in US$ Include from Arusha /JRO; 2 Nights half board at kibo palace hotel, all meals ; accommodation on climb , Park fees , Porters &; Guides
MT KILIMANJARO CLIMB CLIMB,     kIBO PALACE HOTEL,	DATES FROM	DATES TO	PER PERSON SHARING	SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
	Umbwe Route (8 Days)
	01-Jan-10	31-Dec-10	$1654	$60
	01-Jan-11	31-Dec-11	$1654	$60
			Groups of 4 or more less $150 (2010); $150 (2011) per person
			Single Traveller– Single Supplement + $1790 (2010); $1790 (2011) per serson
	Umbwe Route (7 Days)
	01-Jan-10	31-Dec-10	$1555	$60
	01-Jan-11	31-Dec-11	$1555	$60
			Groups of 4 or more less $150 (2010); $150 (2011) per person
			Single Traveller : $1695 (2010); $1795 (2011) per person
	Supplement for Namanga-Arusha transfer $165 (2010/11) per vehicle one-way
	Supplement for extra day to acclimatize at Horombo Hut or Shira Camp $165 & MUST be arranged prior to climb.(2010/11)

EQUIPMENT TO BRING ALONG FOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: At least 3 pairs of socks, hiking boots, 2 pairs of pants, water proof-raincoat and trouser, woolen hat, sun glasses, hand gloves, big rucksack and day pack, sleeping bag & water bottles.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE: Climbing gear, sleeping bags, items of personal nature, laundry, tips and gratuities, mineral water, drinks & travel insurance.

WHAT IS INCLUDED: Return transfers from Arusha, 2 nights at Kibo palace hotel - one night before and 1 after the climb on half board basis, accommodation during the climb, transfers from the hotel to National Park gate and back, climbing fees (Park Fees), porters (3 per person) and guide/s, cook, all meals, climbing fees, hut fees & rescue fees.

 

TIPPING:
Tipping is an accepted part of life in Tanzania, and you will be expected to tip to reward service. You will be briefed on arrival as to when and how much is appropriate, however, depending on the size of your group you should budget on a personal contribution of around $ 45 to $ 50 for your trek guides, cooks and porters on the trek.

There are six established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai and Umbwe. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all approach from the south of the mountain (Mweka is used only for descent). The Lemosho and Shira routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north.

Marangu route of Mount Kilimanjaro is a gradual ascent on well-maintained tracks.Marangu Hiking towards the summit there is a steep zigzag scree path up to Gilman's Point. The Marangu route then flattens out to hike around the crater; Marangu 'the coca cola route' is the most popular route. More details can be found on the Marangu Route page

Machame route of Mount Kilimanjaro is a scenic route with the highest summit success rate because of the up and down nature of the climb - hiking high and sleeping low is good for acclimatization. There is a challenging almost sheer wall to climb - Baranco wall. However, it's easier than it looks. More details are available for Machame Route

Rongai route of Mount Kilimanjaro begins with a rough drive to the eastern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The road can be difficult in bad weather. Easy and gradual hiking for the beginning of the ascent but hiking days get longer. The route joins Marangu route at Kibo Hut for the summit ascent. The Rongai Route program page has more details

Lemosho route of Mount Kilimanjaro starts with a rough drive through western Kilimanjaro to Londrossi gate. Remote and spectacular with dramatic gorges and views of West Kilimanjaro Climbers join Machame route for the summit ascent after a tough hike on Shire Plateau (weather exposed) - see the Lemosho Route for more information

Umbwe route of Mount Kilimanjaro is a spectacular and little used route with steep gorges, glaciers and panoramic views. The trail gains altitude quickly and involves some tough scrambling. Climbers need a good level of fitness and must be prepared for a steep ascent, which may increase problems with altitude sickness. For more information on Umbwe Route check out the program page

Western Breach and Crater Camp - CLOSED

An alternative route to the summit approaches Uhuru Peak from the west, called the Western Breach. The strenuous Western Breach ascends 2,800 ft (850 m) in about 1.25 miles (2 km), and requires some scrambling (climbing on hands and feet) at certain points. This path is very beautiful but also very challenging due to its rocky, steep slope. The Western Breach was gaining popularity by climbers using the Umbwe, Lemosho, Shira and Machame routes until rockfall claimed the lives of three climbers in January 2006. In response, Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) closed the Western Breach.

The Western Breach re-opened in December 2007. However, the route is still considered by prominent Kilimanjaro operators to be unsafe and to carry an unreasonable degree of risk. Ultimate Kilimanjaro no longer utilizes the Western Breach approach due to safety concerns for clients and staff.