The Umbwe route leads to the mountain from the south, has a well-deserved reputation as the most difficult route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. Upon reaching Camp Barranco, the route follows a circle along the southern slope to the summit. The descent is carried out along the route of Mveka. The main reason why the Umbwe route was considered very difficult is its steepness in the first two days and its short time for acclimatization. This route is undertaken by strong tourists who are confident in their abilities and are able to acclimatize before reaching the summit.
Day 1
You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to a hotel in Moshi. Here you will meet your guide who will inform you about the upcoming trip, check your clothes, equipment, etc., to make sure that you have everything you need to climb. On the same day, everything necessary for climbing can be taken at our rental point. Overnight at the hotel, breakfast included.
Day 2
Machame Gate (1790 m) - Umbwe Gate (1800 m) - Umbwe Cave (3000 m). To obtain permission to enter the national park, we first come to the gates of Machame. Next, a short drive to the Umbwe gate. The climb itself begins at the Umbwe gate, where the path follows a ridge between two deep valleys through a dense mountain forest. The camp is between huge trees and thick undergrowth. There is no water at this campsite, so we must carry all the water necessary for drinking, cooking and cleaning from the gates. Distance: 9.5 km / Approx. time: 6-7 hours / Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Umbwe Cave (3000 m) - Barranco Camp (3960 m). Our path is getting steeper. When you leave the forest along the Umbwe ridge, the route descends a little towards the Barranco camp, which is located in the valley. In this camp you will meet other groups that follow the routes of Machame and Lemosho. Therefore, the number of participants in the ascent will be greater. Distance: 7.5 km / Approx. time: 5 hours / Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Camp Barranco (3960 m) - Camp Karanga (3963 m). Our day begins with the descent to the beginning of the Great Barranco (a huge ravine). Then we climb abruptly, up the Great Wall of Barranco, which separates us from the south-eastern slopes of Kibo. It will be a climb above the rock, it is not technical, but long and tiring. Passing under the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head to the Karang valley. From here we have a steep climb from the Karanga valley to our Karanga night camp, set at an altitude of 3963 m. For those who feel good and confident, we will go on an acclimatization trip in the middle of the day to about an altitude of 4200 m, before descending back to the camp for the night. Distance: 5.5 km / Approx. time: 5 hours / Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Karang camp (3963 m) - Barafu camp (4640 m). Our day begins with breakfast, after which we will begin the ascent to the Baraf assault camp (4640 m), it is from it that you will have the night assault on Uhuru peak (5895 m). Here you will spend the rest of the day gaining strength and adapting to height. Distance: 6 km / Approx. time: 4-5 hours / Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Barafu camp (4640 m) - Uhuru peak (5895 m) - Mveka camp (3100 m). We start around midnight and climb steeply to the tops of the glaciers. We will climb the scree for about 4-5 hours, we will rise very high in a short distance. The views are impressive. We should be on the edge of the crater at Stella Point (5739 m), when the first rays of the sun will illuminate us. Spectacular ice cliffs inside the crater surround us, and the view of the jagged peak of Mawenzi and beyond is breathtaking. From here, another hour of walking leads us to the top - Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Next, we begin our descent, returning to the point of Stella, and then descend the slope and return to Barafu camp for breakfast. Having a rest, we will go to the camp of Mveka for a long rest. Distance: 16.4 km / Approx. time: 13 hours - 15 hours / Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Camp Mveka (3100 m) - gate of Mveka (1630 m). Pleasant trekking leads us through the rainforest to the gates of Mveka, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates that you can hang with pride! Then we are met by our cars and we return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower, and then celebrate the ascent with cold drinks. Overnight at the hotel. Distance: 9.1 km / Approx. time: 3 hours / Meals: breakfast
Day 8, etc .:
This day is the day of your next trip. Hotel morning, fees, breakfast included.
If you want and you have a desire to plunge into the next adventure, this and next days, for an additional fee, you are offered:
Climbing Kilimanjaro (5895 m) via any other route, ascent to the top of Mount Meru (4566 m), various safari tours lasting from 2 to 10 days, rest in Zanzibar, excursions and other programs.