Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb

6 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO

$2020-2220 USD

Get quote

Safari summary

The Umbwe route is known for its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited en route the following day. Because of the high risks involved with sleeping at Arrow Glacier camp and summiting via the Western Breach, all our Umbwe route hikes are re-routed, to join with the Machame route from night 2 on the mountain. On special request we can assist with Umbwe route hikes attempting to summit using the Western Breach / Arrow Glacier path and overnight at the Crater camp. Please note this can only be arranged through our higher quality Standard packages and a supplement rate will apply.

About this tour

	Tour type	Set-date, set-itinerary, group
	Main focus	Hiking \| trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
All drinks
Meals
Park fees

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
All drinks
Hot air balloons
Internal flights
International flights
Laundry
Premium alcoholic beverages
Private vehicle and driver
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Umbwe Gate – Umbwe Cave camp

Kilimanjaro

Machame gate you will be transferred to the Umbwe Gate, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. 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.

Umbwe cave camp

Umbwe Cave camp – Barranco camp

Kilimanjaro

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, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco wall.

Barranco Camp

Barranco camp – Karanga Camp

Kilimanjaro

Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp.

Karanga camp

Karanga camp – Barafu camp

Kilimanjaro

Breakfast at Karanga camp and after breakfast turn left up the ridge and the route ascend 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice”, and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge .The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt. Prepare your equipmen

Barafu Camp

Summit attempt to Mweka camp

Kilimanjaro

From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way ascent to Uhuru Peak, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. Back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut. The route will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest.

Mweka camp

Mweka camp – Mweka Gate

Kilimanjaro

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 (5739m) 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

Parkview Inn

Here are the latest 6 tours by Kilisa Tours & Safari. See all 30 tours.