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5 days Umbwe - Kilimanjaro Climbing
kilimanjaro

7 Days/ 6 nights trek Umbwe route.

This route is the steepest with the shortest and most direct routes to the Southern Glaciers, Western Breach and Uhuru Peak. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. However it is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers.

  • Duration: 6 or 7 days
  • Difficulty: Very High
  • Scenery: Very Good
  • Traffic: Very Low

OUR HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Day 0: Arrival (Pick up) Kilimanjaro international airport – Moshi.
  • Day 1: Moshi – Umbwe Gate – Umbwe camp
  • Day 2: Umbwe camp – Barranco camp
  • Day 3: Barranco camp – Karanga camp – Barafu camp
  • Day 4: Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak (summit point) – back to Barafu camp - Mweka camp
  • Day 5: Mweka camp – Mweka gate – Back to Moshi
  • Day 0: Departure transfer to Kilimanjaro international airport.

  • Upon arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met with Alpine chat adventure representative and transferred for overnight accommodation at HOTEL IN MOSHI B&B. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

    Itenerary (Day by Day)

    DAY 1: UMBWE GATE – UMBWE CAVE: 9.6km/6mi | 6-8hrs | Moorland

    Elevation: 1651m/5417ft to 2944m/9659ft

    Altitude gained: 1293m

    Departing from Moshi driving to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here. The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

    DAY 2: UMBWE CAVE – BARRANCO CAMP: 4.75km/3mi | 4-6hrs | Moorland

    Elevation: 2944m/9659ft to 3986m/13,077ft

    Altitude gained: 1042m

    After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we emerge from the rain forest and continue on a steep ascending path, along the Umbwe ridge as it descends slightly to Barranco camp situated in the valley. Temperatures begin to drop.

    DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP: 9.2km/3mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

    Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
    Altitude gained: 48m
    After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.


    DAY 4: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 5km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | - MWEKA CAMP: 11.5km /8mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

    Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

    Altitude gained: 1233m

    Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

    Altitude lost: 2789m


    Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
    We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
    Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
    After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

    DAY 5: MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1km/5.7mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

    Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

    Altitude lost: 1473m

    After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
    From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
    Overnight HOTEL IN MOSHI B&B. before being transferred to your journey home, safari or relaxing trip to Zanzibar.


    CERTIFIED ETHICAL CLIMBING:

    As Alpine chat adventure we believe that tourism industry has an obligation and a great opportunity to protect the world’s natural habitats, cultural heritage sites and communities. We actively promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
    As a Partner for Responsible Travel, we are proud to raises public awareness to ensure proper treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro and assists implementing procedures that ensure fair and ethical treatment of the portersthrough fair salaries, mountain equipment, food, clothing and sleeping conditions for crew members.
    Every climb is audited to ensure crewmembers are provided proper salaries, tips, food, equipment and sleeping conditions. We think it’s pretty great and our clients do as well, check out our Trip advisor profile to see what people are saying about us.

    TREKKING COSTS:

    Contact us For Price details

    INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE:

    CREW

  • Lead Guide(s), Assistant Guide(s), for 2+ people.
  • English Speaking & Wilderness First Responder Trained
  • Cook, Porters, equipment, personal client luggage (15 kg per client)
  • The ratio of porters per client is 4 to 5.
  • EQUIPMENT

  • Sleeping tent, 3-person size for 2 people
  • Sleeping mat, 2-inch foam
  • Pillow
  • Walk-in dining tent and table
  • Backed chairs
  • Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
  • Private portable toilet with toilet paper
  • FOOD & DRINK

  • Three meals per day & afternoon snack during the trek
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free upon request
  • Treated drinking water (minimum of 3L per day while trekking with additional water available at camp)
  • Coffee and tea during the trek
  • HEALTH & SAFETY

  • Pulse oximeter
  • Altitude sickness checklists
  • First aid kit
  • Emergency oxygen
  • PREPARATION & FEES

  • Kilimanjaro National Park fees and VAT.
  • Camping/hut, rescue, conservation and taxes
  • Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
  • Pre-trek briefing with your guide
  • ACCOMMODATION & TRANSFERS

  • Round-trip airport transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
  • Round-trip transfer between Moshi and the park gate
  • Hotel stays in Moshi pre- and post-trek (2 nights total) on bed & breakfast.
  • EXCLUDED FROM TREKKING PACKAGE:

  • Gratuities/tips
  • Personal trekking gear such as sleeping bag and clothing
  • Favored beverages (water, soda and alcohol at hotels)
  • Additional accommodation or meals resulting from early descent
  • Tanzania entry visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Domestic or international flights
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • NOTE, Additional accommodation nights for acclimatize is $ 150 for one room bed breakfast

  • RECOMMENDED TIPPING GUIDE

    Tipping is customary on Mount Kilimanjaro for all members of your mountain crew. Although they receive a fair wage, they rely on tips for a total fair compensation Tips for the team (guide, assistant guide, cook and porters) Industry recommendations are $20 a day to the Guide, $15 a day to your Assistance guide and Cook and 8$ a day to each of your porters divided by everyone in trip.


    TO ENSURE FAIR AND TRANSPARENT TIPPING FOR EACH CREW MEMBER, THERE WILL BE A TIPPING CEREMONY AT THE ALPINE CHAT ADVENTURE OFFICE FOLLOWING YOUR DESCENT FROM THE MOUNTAIN. ENVELOPES WILL BE PROVIDED TO DIVIDE YOUR TIPS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW.



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    Why should you book with us?

    Alpine chat adventure focus on organizing tours with ethical and friendly approach, we are tour operator with handling experience and we deliver as per promise, safe& standard services. By supporting us as a local business all our tours benefit both local communities through fair wages and charitable outreach programs. The company also works to create employment opportunities for local porters and guides so as to eradicate poverty. You’re warmly welcome to our beautiful destination Tanzania, we assure you to make your dreams come true. TANZANIA UNFORGETABLE

    Our Reviews


    Why Trek With Us

    HEALTH & SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

    Guides certified as Wilderness First Responders
    Twice daily health monitoring
    Pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen on every climb

    WE TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

    Socially and environmentally responsible
    Long-time member of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
    Fair and ethical treatment of all mountain crew
    No waste left behind



    WE USE TOP-NOTCH EQUIPMENT

    Expedition grade alpine sleeping tents
    Stand-up dining tents with durable tables and chairs
    Hygienic private toilets
    Four-season, warm, cozy sleeping bags

    YOU’LL TREK WITH EXPERTS

    Licensed, professional and trained guides
    Ratio of 1 Guide per every 2 Travelers
    Years of experience on the mountain
    Social, fun-loving personalities

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