Climb The Roof of Africa - 6 Days Umbwe Route

Traditionally the route utilised the steep Western Breach and Arrow’s Glacier path to the summit; however, due to a tragic rock-fall in 2006 that claimed the lives of three trekkers the approach via the Western Breach was closed. It reopened in December 2007 but due to its difficulty and safety risks most travel operators do not offer this route as an option.

Instead the Umbwe Route now joins the Machame Route on the evening of the second day, following the southern circuit to the summit and descending via the Mweka Route

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 .
Meals: no lunch & dinner included.

Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)
Elevation Gain:1,050 meters, 3,445 feet
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours

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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 2: Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours

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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 3: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)
Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet
Distance: 7 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours

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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 4: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
Distance: 6 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours

After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

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

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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
Hiking time: 4 hours

After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.

Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration!
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch. Dinner Not Included.

* The climb cost includes

• - Private transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodation in Moshi town.
• - Park entry fees.
• - Accommodation in wooden cabins on the mountain.
• - Camping fees.
• - 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
• - 4 season mountain tents.
• - Double layered sleeping mats.
• - Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porter.
• - 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
• - Enough treated and filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
• - Hot water for washing.
• - Fair wages for mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro national park and Kilimanjaro association tour operator.
• - Government taxes.
• - Portable oxygen tanks and ox-meter.
• - Emergence first aid kit.

* Not includes

• - Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
• - Travel insurance.
• - Flights.
• - Laundry [available in hotel]
• - Personal items at toiletries.
• - Tips for guides, porters and cook.
• - Portable flush toilet tents are available for extra charges $ 70 for entire trek.


• * Tips on Mount Kilimanjaro are recommended for group sharing as following:
• * guide $20-25/guide/day
• * cook $15-20/day
• * Porter $10/porter/day

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