6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking - Umbwe Route

6 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE ITINERARY

DAY 0: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day .
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath
The day begins with a 50 minute drive to Machame Gate where registration formalities will be completed. We then transfer through villages and coffee and banana plantations to Umbwe Gate. The trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe Camp is perched between trees and thick undergrowth.
Day 2: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath The second day of the trek follows rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. As we gain elevation, glimpses of Kilimanjaro can be seen. The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest.
Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Down
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate Back to Hotel
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
We continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

PRICE INCLUDES

Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter.
Emergency first-aid kit.

PRICE EXCLUDES

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 225 for the entire trek.
Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).
*Tips on Mountain Kilimanjaro are recommended for group sharing as follows:
Guide $25 - $30 per day
Assistant Guide $20 - $25 per day
Waiter/camping crew/dish washer $15 per day
Chef $20 - $25 per day
Porters $10 per day

TREKKING EQUIPMENTS

Technical Clothing:

• 1 - Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood

• 1 - Insulated Jacket, synthetic or down

• 1 - Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell

• 2 - Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric

• 1 - Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric

• 1 - Waterproof Pants, breathable (side zipper recommended)

• 2 - Hiking Pants

• 1 - Fleece Pants

• 1 - Shorts (optional)

• 1 - Long Underwear, moisture-wicking fabric

• 3 - Underwear, moisture-wicking fabric recommended

• 2 - Sport Bra (women)

Equipment

• 1 - Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons

• 1 - Camp Pillow, inflatable (optional)

• 1 - Trekking Poles, collapsible (highly recommended)

• 1 - Head Lamp, with extra batteries

• 1 - Duffel Bag, 50-90L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment

• 1 - Daypack, 30-35L capacity, for you to carry your personal gear

Paperwork

• Passport – Valid more than 6 months.

• Visa (applied online but also available at JRO)

• Immunization Papers

• Insurance Document (That covers 6000m recommended) *

Accessories

• 1 - Sunglasses or Goggles

• 1 - Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)

• 1 - Water Bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.)

• 1 - Water Bladder (Camelbak type, 3 liters)

• 1 - Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)

• 1 - Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving room/tent at night (recommended)

Head Wear

• 1 - Brimmed Hat, for sun protection

• 1 - Knit Hat, for warmth

• 1 - Balaclava or Buff, for face coverage (optional)

Hand Wear

• 1 - Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)

• 1 - Gloves, thin

Footwear

• 1 - Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in

• 1 - Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional)

• 3 - Socks, wool or synthetic

• 1 - Gaiters, waterproof (optional)

Other Important things:

• Toiletries

• Prescriptions

• Sunscreen

• Lip Balm

• Insect Repellent, containing DEET

• First Aid Kit

• Hand Sanitizer

• Toilet Paper

• Wet Wipes (recommended)

• Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (optional)

• Electrolytes, powder or tablets (optional)

• Camera, with extra batteries (optional)

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Kilimanjaro Trekking Information