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6 Days umbwe Route

Shavi Tours and General Supply Company Limited is a Tanzania-based tourists company limited, owned and operated by Tanzanians.

Tour Overview

It is an ascending route located on the South-West of the mountain and it has four stations, the Umbwe cave inside the forest belt and the other three after join Machame route at Baranco camp.

Short and steep, the Umbwe route is considered the most challenging route on the mountain. Traffic on this route is very low, which might make it an attractive route to climbers. However, due to its quick ascent up Mt. Kilimanjaro it has one of the lower success rates for reaching the summit. We therefore only recommend this route to experienced hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize.

Medical Check up

During Climbing

Twice a day

> Before Start hike

> Before Dinner

We do check up

Oxygen Pulse (Heart Rate)

Our Aim to see you

> Safe

> Health

Meeting Point

We’ll pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transfer you to your hotel in Moshi, Tanzania. You will then stay overnight and in the morning, we’ll drive to the gate where we will start our Kilimanjaro trek. Please note: the hotel and transfers are included in the price.

Availability

January through mid-March
Mid-June through October
December

Duration

7 days, 6 nights + 2 days at hotel

Group size

2 min. – 12 max.

Gear List

Top thermal layer

Bottom thermal layer

1-2 pairs of hiking pants

1 hardshell jacket

1-2 short-sleeved t-shirts

1 pair of warm trekking pants

1-2 long-sleeved hiking shirts

1 softshell insulated winter jacket

4-5 pairs of underwear

1 cozy fleece jacket

1 pair of worn-in sturdy hiking boots

3-4 pairs of socks. Merino wool is recommended

Rain coat

Rain pants

Day backpack

Duffel bag (recommended size 90L)

Sleeping bag

Headlamp

Snacks

Meals

On all of our Kilimanjaro tours, all of our meals are freshly prepared on the mountain by our talented chef, so when we arrive to camp after a long day of hiking, we have a delicious hot meal waiting for us.

Please note: we can accommodate any dietary needs, so please let us know what your meal requirements are and we will be sure to have our chef whip you up something yummy!

You will be picked up from airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Arusha for an orientation on your trek. Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking gears.
Dinner and overnight at Arusha hotel.

Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)

At 8am leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places.Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. Elevation Gain: 1,050 meters, 3,445 feet
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.
Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet Distance: 7 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Karanga Valley (3995m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)

several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.
Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
Distance: 6 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.

The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
Hiking time: 6 hours to the rim, 1 hour to Uhuru, 3 to 4 hours back to Barafu, 4 hours to Mweka
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/4,920ft)

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha.

At Mweka Gate gate you sign your name and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive Golden certificates.
You now drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
Hiking time: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast Included

End of services, you will transferred to Airport for your flight back home

  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • 3 Season mountain tents
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Wages of professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • Katelyn filtered water throughout the trek
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the KILIMANJARO WONDERS HOTEL (or alternative) on Bed & Breakfast Basis
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter
  • 2- way shared airport transfers
  • 10% discount on meals at selected restaurants in Moshi Town
  • Local and International flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra
  • A doctor for the group
  • Tips to mountain crew

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