Travel Type
Tour
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Country
Tanzania
 

The Umbwe route, which is based in the south, is a classic 6-day tour and is by far the most difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. The first two days are extremely steep, muddy and generally strenuous making it only suitable for well-trained mountaineers. An acclimatization day is rarely offered on the standard programme, but can be added whereby giving the climber an extra day in the Karanga Valley. The descent trail is the same as the Mweka Route.

Inclusions

7-night accommodation in double occupancy
19 meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Transfers to/from airport or Arusha
English-speaking mountain guide
Experienced cooks, guides and porters
Tents
Dining or mess tents, camping table and chairs

Exclusions

International air – E-Visa for Tanzania – Mountain gear – Sleeping bag – Items of a personal nature – Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides and drivers – Insurance

1

DAY 1 ARUSHA · MOSHI

Pick up from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.

Meals : Dinner

Accommodation : Moshi for 1 night

2

DAY 2 MOSHI · UMBWE CAVE CAMP

Most of the hike on this first day is through the Montana Forest. Lush vegetation with very old trees and lilts of ferns and mosses mark this as an area that gets reliable rain year-round. The forest abounds with wildlife; small bushbuck and duikers as well as monkeys. There is also rich and varied bird life. The first three hours or so is on gently rising land before steepening for the last two hours. The camp for the night is in a small clearing on the trail.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight at Umbwe Cave Camp

3

DAY 3 UMBWE CAVE CAMP · BARRANCO CAMP

Shortly after starting the hike the forest gradually gives away to the giant heath. The trail has been following a ridge for some time and as it ascends through the heath land the ridge narrows and sharpens, finally becoming knife edge with steep drops on each side. As the height of the heath reduces there are stunning views of both Kilimanjaro’s southern flank and across the Mount Meru some 50 miles away. Wildlife changes with the vegetation, jackals may be heard barking and the huge Lammergeyer seen circling overhead. The camp is overlooking the Barranco Valley with views up towards Arrow Glacier.

Accommodation : Overnight at Barranco Camp

4

DAY 4 BARRANCO CAMP · KARANGA CAMP

On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall - a 950 ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight at Karanga Camp

5

DAY 5 KARANGA CAMP · BARAFU CAMP

From Karanga the tour heads up a moraine ridge taking your time and going slowly. The views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always, it’s taken it very slowly. As with the day before you reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight at Barafu Camp

6

DAY 6 BARAFU CAMP · UHURU PEAK · MWEKA HUT

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwestern direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the
continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight at Mweka Hut

7

DAY 7 MWEKA HUT · MOSHI

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). To the gate where you will be met by our driver and transferred back to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Moshi for 1 night

8

DAY 8 MOSHI · ARUSHA

After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

Moshi

Park View Inn

Umbwe

Umbwe Cave Camp

Barranco

Barranco Camp

Karanga

Karanga Camp

Barafu

Barafu Camp

Mweka

Mweka Hut

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy 

Land Package
Daily departuresStandard ClimbDeluxe Climb
DoubleSingleDoubleSingle
January 1st – December 31st, 20243459448946096559
January 1st – December 31st, 20253579464947796789
Extra Night 2024+469
Extra Night 2025+489
ITEMS INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED:STANDARD CLIMBS:DELUXE CLIMBS:
4 SEASON MOUNTAINEERING TENTSYESYES
COMFORTABLE MESS TENTSYESYES
FOAM CAMPING MATRESSESNOYES
CAMPING CHAIRSYESYES
CAMPING TABLESYESYES
HOT WATER BOTTLE FOR SLEEPING BAGNONO
PERSONAL PORTER FOR CARRYING DAY PACKSNONO
DRINKING WATER ON THE MOUNTAINYESYES
FOOD RESUPPLY (ONCE ON TREK)NOYES
SOLAR LIGHTING IN DINING TENTYESYES
SOLAR LIGHTING IN SLEEPING TENTNONO
KILIMANJARO MAP FOR EACH CLIENTNONO
DAILY HEALTH MONITORING (TWICE A DAY WITH AN OXIMETER)YESYES
GUIDES EXPERIENCED IN FIRST AID AND LIFE SAVING SKILLSYESYES
COOKS WHO FOR ALL DIETARY REQUIREMENTSYESYES
PORTERSYESYES
OXYGEN CYLINDER (1 CYLINDER EVERY 4 PASSENGERS)NOYES
HYPERBARRIC PRESSURE BAG (1 EVERY 5 PASSENGERS)NOYES
CHEMICAL TOILET (1 EVERY 5 PASSENGERS)NOYES
FOOD DEPENDING ON THE DIETARY REQUIREMENTS OF THE CLIENTSYESYES
AED HEART SAVING MACHINENOYES
PARK FEESYESYES
HOT WATER FOR GETTING FRESH IN THE MORNING AND ONCE YOU REACH CAMPYESYES
ASSISTANT GUIDESYESYES
ALTITUDE SICKNESS CHECKLISTYESYES
FULL TRIP AND SAFETY BRIEFINGYESYES
FULLY STOCKED FIRST AID KITYESYES
WASH BASIN FOR EACH CLIMBER AT CAMPYESYES
THREE DELICIOUS AND HEARTY MEALS PER DAYYESYES
SNACKS UPON ARRIVAL IN CAMPYESYES
MOBILE PHONESYESYES
VHF RADIOSNOYES

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***

Kilimanjaro – The Umbwe Route – Promotional flyer
Kilimanjaro – The Umbwe Route – Promotional flyer

Kilimanjaro – The Umbwe Route – Detailed itinerary
Kilimanjaro – The Umbwe Route – Detailed itinerary