Umbwe Route
Umbwe route is a short, steep, and direct route based in the south and is said to be the most scenic and difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. The main reason that the Umbwe route is considered to be very hard is its steepness in the first two days with extremely muddy. Although the traffic on this route is low, the chances of success are also low. This route is only recommended for experienced and well-trained climbers.
Itinerary
Day of arrival.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by an Omura representative who will transfer you to your hotel. There, you will be given time to settle in before a meet and greet with your guides. In this meeting, we will brief you on what to expect on Mount Kilimanjaro and answer any last-minute questions you may have. After the briefing, we recommend an early night for an early pick-up the following day.
Day 1.
On day one this morning, a guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing with equipment check precede, you will be driven to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, where registration takes place. From there, trekkers are transferred to the Umbwe Gate at 1,600 meters. Here you will start your trek with your guide and porters. The route follows a forestry track through the rainforest before steepening between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. If the weather is clear you will get a good view of Kibo in the distance. As this part of the Umbwe route goes through the rainforest with its probability of rain showers do not forget your raincoat. Your support crew will have prepared the camp and dinner by the time you get there.
Camp: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
Elevation: 1,600m (5,249ft) to 2,940m (9,646ft)
Distance: 9.5km (7 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Day 2.
On day two the path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest along the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp situated in the valley. You will notice the camp is pretty busy. This is because you will be joining hikers from the Machame, Lemosho, and Shira Route here. Therefore the population will be bigger.
Camp: Umbwe Cave to Barronco Camp
Elevation: 2,940m (9,646ft) to 3,976m (13,044ft)
Distance: 7.5km (4.9 miles)
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest and Low Alpine Zone
Day 3.
After an early breakfast, we start the steep climb of summiting Barranco Wall. Whilst hiking up the gorge, experience the kissing rock alongside spectacular views of the valley. After the climb, we take a short break allowing you to take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. After the break, you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route.
Camp: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,976m (13,044ft) to 3,995m (13,106ft)
Distance: 5.5km (3.4 miles)
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine and High Alpine
Day 4.
Today you trek to Barafu Summit Camp, the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895m). You will climb steep desolate slopes before reaching base camp. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp. After an early dinner, we recommend resting and sleeping before being awoken at 11 pm to prepare for the summit climb.
Camp: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3,995m (13,106ft) to 4,673m (15,331ft)
Distance: 3km (1.9 miles)
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Vegetation Zone: High Alpine
Day 5 (Summit Day).
We start the summit climb at midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing slowly but gain incredible height over a short distance. We will reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5,739m) as the first rays of sunlight begin to show. Here we will take a short break to watch the sunrise over Africa. You will have spectacular views of the ice cliffs within the crater surrounding us and views of Mawenzi Peak. We continue for another hour up to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending down a separate track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast. After a short rest, you will continue to descend to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Camp: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,673m (15,331ft) to 5,895m (19,341ft) to 3,068m (10,065ft)
Distance: 16km (9.6 miles)
Trekking Time: 13-15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Glacial, High Alpine, Low Alpine, Rainforest
Day 6.
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and present you with a certificate confirming you summited Mount Kilimanjaro. We are then met by our vehicles and transferred back to your hotel for a well-earned rest and celebration with your guides.
Camp: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,068m (10,065ft) to 3,068m (10,065ft)
Distance: 9.1km (7.5 miles)
Trekking Time: 3-5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Final Day.
After breakfast, a vehicle will transfer you to your next destination. If you have additional time we recommend you extend your stay. Omura offers safari packages to see nature at its finest or maybe a relaxing beach trip to Zanzibar.
