This is not a technical route; it is a very direst, steep and tough root where you will sometimes be required to climb using your hands but you can get the support from the tree routes as they can helps on your steps ahead. So with its characteristics the route requires mountain climbing skills and experiences. Climbing via the Umbwe route, you will join the Machame route near the Baranco Camp. 7 Days climbing with the Umbwe route is a bit challenging and though it is not popular but the rate of success for the summit is very low as the route needs a real climb experience.
Day 1, Moshi to Umbwe gate then trek up to Umbwe cave campsite
Your adventure always starts with the preparation of having all the equipments at the office and then take drive up to the Umbwe gave where the real adventure will commence. After all the park registration regulation formalities, you will start the Hiking up to the Umbwe cave camp where you will have your overnight there.
Accompaniment: experienced Mountain Guide/guides, porters and chef
Walking through: ridges and valleys into a really thick forest
Time and distance: 4 to 5 hrs which is 10km distance
Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
What to see: good view of the montane forest
Meal plans: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2, Umbwe cave camp to Baranco camp
On this day of your adventure you will be climbing further through the moorland forest up reaching the Baranco camp, while climbing up there, you will be enjoying the greater view of the Baranco valley.
Accompaniment: experienced Mountain Guide/guides, porters and chef
Walking through: ridges and valleys into moorland forest
Time and distance: 4 to 5 hrs which is 6km distance
Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft.
What to see: Baranco valleys and the ice caps
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3, Baranco camp to Karanga camp
On this trekking day you will be having a short day from Baranco to Karanga you will be starting your day by climbing the Baranco wall and then climb up through some hills up on reaching the Karanga valleys.
Accompaniment: experienced Mountain Guide/guides, porters and chef
Walking through: Baranco wall and valleys to Karanga valleys
Time and distance: 4 to 5 hrs which is 5km distance
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach and the southern glaciers
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4, Karanga camp to Barafu camp
After the morning breakfast from the camp, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. There after you continue the trekking up to the Barafu Hut. From there you have completed the South Circuit. This is the point which offers the great views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Accompaniment: experienced Mountain Guide/guides, porters and chef
Walking through: Alpine desert
Time and distance: 4 to 5 hrs which is 5km distance
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach and the southern glaciers
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5, Summit and descend to Mweka camp
This is the dream come true day where you will be leaving in the midnight passing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will be heading to the northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim where you can stop and have some rest. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit at the Uhuru peak and from there you will meet a Congratulation spot sight that you have reached the highest peak in Africa and you are on the list of the successful people who has made it to the roof of Africa as you will be certified for that. After the summit you will take your way back descending down until you reach the Mweka camp.
Walking through: The crater rim
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, on the summit then joining the chef and porters at Barafu on descending back
Time and distance: hiking of 5to 7hrs ascending and 5 to 6 hrs descending a distance of 5km up and 13km down respectively.
What to see: the great view at the Uhuru peak
Elevation: 15,350ft to 19,340ft up and 10,150ft down
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day 6, Mweka camp to Mweka gate then back to Moshi
This is the last day of your adventure to the roof of Africa where you will be taking your morning breakfast at the camp and then takes time to continue the descending up to the Mweka gate where you will meet Ngaiza Adventures staff waiting to pick you back to Moshi. On descending at the lower elevation it will be wet and muddy hence the gaiters and highly recommended to be used.
Walking through: Wet and muddy forestry ways
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 3 to 4hrs a distance of 10km
What to see: The forest and its features
Elevation: 10,150ft to 5500ft
Meal plans: Breakfast
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Both domestic and international Flights
- Tanzania Visa
- Items of a personal nature such as Mountain Climbing equipment
- Tips and gratitude for the mountain crew
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport $25 per route
- Pre and after Trek accommodation in Moshi Kilimanjaro