Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro – Umbwe Route – 6 or 7 days
A route that holds the note as being the shortest, steepest and most difficult route on Kilimanjaro. However, since the scenery – in our eyes – is far more dramatic than that of other routes, with far more extremes, the Umbwe route counts as one of Bush2Beach’s favorites. It is certainly a route to be considered by the more adventurous groups and extreme bush-walkers who like a challenge or two.
Though strictly not technical but still offers a little excitement with several rock scrambles to break up the day following picturesque mystical meandering paths that cut through afromontane forest covered in old man’s beard, a form of hanging moss.
There are no park gates at the beginning of the trail-head so it starts with a small de-tour to the Machame Gate for registration and park formalities but after you return and head into the afromontane forest the mountain silence will envelope you only to be broken by the reverberating grind of black and white colobus monkeys or the loud guttural call of the Hartlaub’s Turaco as it flashes it wings whilst clipping through the over head canopy.
The track is very scenic throughout, with giant stands of Senecio and pristine heather zones; as the Umbwe route is an ascent route only (descent only for rescue purposes) your party can find themselves trekking alone over the first two days before joining onto the popular Machame route a short distance below Lava tower.
The route is relatively steep but the walking is slow with relatively short distances to cover between camps, allowing for proper acclimatisation. It is a ‘camping only’ climb, allowing for time away from the crowds with a little more excitement with the knife-edge ridges, hidden valleys and rock scrambles.
Day-to-day overview of the Umbwe Route
Bush2Beach offers the Umbwe-route climb of Kilimanjaro in both a 6 and 7 day version, with the 7-day version adding an extra day at altitude, allowing for a more leisurely pace and more time to enjoy the vistas, as well as increasing the chances of a successful summit attempt. Below we detail the suggested route for a 7 day climb Umbwe of Kilimanjaro; please contact us for a 6 day version, or other customizations…
| day | alt* | description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,600-2,850 | Depart Arusha for the Umbwe Gate. After the Park fees have been paid (at the Machame Gate), you will enter into the cover of the natural rain forest which surrounds the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro. Walk along narrow paths that cut up through the rain forest. Walking time today ranges from 4 – 5 hrs. before reaching Cave one. This is the overnight stop; the camp is scattered amongst towering tress. Overnight at Cave One (2850m.) F/B. |
| 2 | 2,850-3,995 | After breakfast you will break camp and with picnic lunch boxes continue your ascent along narrow paths that wind up through a mystical forest> Eventually you break out on to a fine knife-edged ridge; if the weather is clear this offer great views to the valley below and you should start to see the Uhuru peak. The vegetation will begin to change once again and you will pass through stands of giant Senicio and Lobelia which tower up to 5 meters tall. The walk will take you 5 – 7 hrs. including your picnic lunch and rest stops along the way, the views are stunning as you begin to gain altitude to Baranco high camp. Best vantage point and remains in the sun for long periods. Overnight at Baranco High Camp (3995m.) F/B. (By staying at baranco high camp you avoid the crowds of the normal baranco camp, however the camp spots can be changed en-route depending on how everybody is feeling on the day.) |
| 3 | 3,995-3840 | After an easy breakfast, continue down to Baranco Camp which is located in the valley with its many streams and waterfalls. Climb up the Baranco Wall and a little further onto Karanga Valley. Enjoy a hot lunch on arrival at Karanga camp, rest for some time then take a walk with the guide to gain a little extra altitude. Overnight at Karanga Camp (3840m.) F/B. |
| 4 | 3,840-4,600 | You can afford to have a leisurely start today. After breakfast, with your picnic lunch boxes, proceed to skirt around the south side of the mountain. Begin to climb through the Alpine desert and moraine fields. Barafu Camp is reached in 3 -4 hrs. Relax and soak up the vistas below you. Overnight at Barafu Camp (4600m) F/B. |
| 5 | 4,600 | Altitude day: with your guide you take a morning walk to a good vantage point to gain extra altitude then return to camp for rest, early dinner and to try and get some sleep. You will be woken at 12:00am for your final challenge. |
| 6 | 4,600-5895-3,340 | After a hot tea and snacks start your ascent to the highest peak in Africa (Uhuru Peak) this stands at (5895m). Have your camera’s ready for when the sun winks a sleepy eye at you. After you’ve done the victory dance on the summit you will start the descent to Barafu Camp for breakfast. After this, proceed down toward Mweka Camp cutting through lowland grasses and scrub. Break for Picnic Lunch and refreshments. After leaving Barafu the walking flattens out and follows tracks onto Mweka Camp. The walking time for this day is around 8hrs – 10hrs. (including summit ascent). Overnight at Mweka Camp (3340m) F/B. |
| 7 | 3,340-1,600 | After breakfast, proceed back down into the forest, a beautiful walk again offering good bird watching opportunities, there are some good view points on route to the valley below. Continue down to the gate for champagne brunch. |
* altitude is specified in meters above sea-level, at the start and end of each day.
Pricing for this climb
*Pricing valid for season 2012
| Price in US$, per person | Number of people | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| Umbwe Route 6 days | $1,975 | $1,550 | $1,470 | $1,460 | $1,425 | $1,405 | $1,380 | $1,365 |
| Umbwe Route 7 days | $2,245 | $1,770 | $1,675 | $1,665 | $1,630 | $1,610 | $1,585 | $1,570 |
This price is inclusive of
- All Kilimanjaro climbing, camp, hut and rescue fees.
- Trained guide(s), assistant guide(s), mountain chef(s) and porter crews.
- Return transfers to and from the mountain
- Emergency evacuation cover FAR
- All mountain camp equipment (see equipment list for personal climbing clothing and gear)
- Full board meal plan as stated to day to day itinerary, hot beverages and filtered/boiled drinking water whilst on the mountain.
Excluded are
- Items of personal nature.
- Tips/Gratuities to climbing teams/drivers/hotels (see here for guidelines).
- Repatriation to home country in the event of an emergency, medical treatment (FAR will cover the first 24hrs where upon your own medical insurance will come into play).
- Hotels, airport transfers before and after the climb/safari (unless otherwise stated and included in the overall package).
- International airfares/airport taxes/entry visa.
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