6 Days / 5 Nights Kilimanjaro
Climbing Umbwe Route
Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1614m) – Umbwe
Cave camp (2850m)
Hiking time: 6 Hours
Distance: Approximately 10.3 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
After breakfast you will be driven to the Machame
gate where registration formalities will be completed. From the
Machame gate you will be transferred to the Umbwe Gate (1641m),
passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The
air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route
initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural
rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between
the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The
path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are
lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance.
The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. Enjoy
dinner and overnight at the Umbwe Cave Camp (2 850m).
Day 2: Umbwe Cave camp (2850m) – Barranco camp (3985m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.3 km
Habitat: Moorland
Shortly after leaving the camp the forest starts
thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth
and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow,
but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses
of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against
the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley.
From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco
camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great
Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset
while your dinner is being prepared.
Day 3: Barranco camp (3985m) – Karanga
Camp (4040m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Habitat: Moorland / Semi desert
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing
sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle,
which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated.
Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate
just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down
through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys,
and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route
down from the summit, so remember it. The last water stop on the
route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu
camp. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Karanga camp.
Day 4: Karanga camp (4040m) – Barafu camp (4681m)
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.4km
Habitat:Alpine desert
Breakfast at Karanga camp and after breakfast turn left up the ridge
and the route ascends 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili
word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping
area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales,
the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make
sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark
to avoid any accidents.
The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you
will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare
your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit
attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and
camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as
well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in
a thermal flask. Go to bed as early as possible and try to get some
precious rest and sleep.
Day 5: – summit attempt
Barafu camp (4681m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3090m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend
to Mweka Camp
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will get up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you
shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction
and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater
rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally
and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point
(5739m) 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 will normally encounter snow
all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will
spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not
stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get
going again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and
a day to remember for the rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes
about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and
collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut
(3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock
and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest.
The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be
expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be
prepared.
Day 6: Mweka camp (3090m) – Mweka Gate (1641m)
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it
is a short 4 to 6 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some
hikers do experience knee problems which could make the descend
longer than planned. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details
in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their
summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m)
are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak
(5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into
the Mweka village, which takes 1 hour hike for 3 km. In the Mweka
village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! After lunch you
drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! |