Umbwe route Kilimanjaro. Also known as the “steep way” up Kilimanjaro, due to the steep slopes that are covered hiking on the first couple of days.

KILIMANJARO ROUTE GUIDE

UMBWE ROUTE

The Umbwe route is also known as the “steep way” up Kilimanjaro, due to the steep slopes that are covered hiking on the first couple of days. It is advised to attempt this route should you already be acclimatized due to the nature of the first couple days of the route. This can be done by hiking up Mount Meru, situated in the Arusha National park prior to starting up Kilimanjaro. Accommodation on this route will be in tents.


ITINERARY DAY 01

After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by a representative and be transferred to Hotel Springlands in Moshi. This hotel offers great views of mountain Kilimanjaro on a clear day. You will overnight at Hotel Springlands.

ITINERARY DAY 02 Day 01 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Umbwe Park gate at +/- 1550m
End point	The Umbwe Cave camp at +/- 2800m
Terrain	Rain forest
Distance to walk	+/- 14 Km

From hotel Springlands it will be a +/-60 minutes drive to Umbwe Gate, the starting point on the southern side of the National park. After signing yourself in at the gate you start your hike. The first day you will be hiking though the rainforest belt that is found around the park. Although this section is short in distance, it is also very steep. Caution needs to be taken not to ascend to fast as this will cause altitude related problems later in the hike. Lunch will be provided to you in a form of a lunch packet at the gate, and the first day will take you approximately 6 hours. Your sleeping arrangements will be in tents that is part of the package with Dream World Adventures. No running water is available at the camp site, it is also no need for you to go fetch water at the closets river. Your guide will be more than happy to provide you with water, and also boil it for you on request.

ITINERARY DAY 03 Day 02 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Umbwe Cave camp at +/- 2800m
End point	Barranco camp at +/- 3860m
Terrain	Heathland / Moorland
Distance to walk	+/- 6 Km

The next morning after breakfast we continue to walk closer to Kibo up to the Barranco encampment. This section is also very short and steep, and can be done in a couple of hours. It is however recommended to ascent very slow as it will be of no benefit to just relax at the following camp.

ITINERARY DAY 04 Day 03 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	Barranco camp at +/- 3860m
End point	The Karanga valley camp at +/- 4100m
Terrain	Alpine Desert
Distance to walk	+/- 7 Km

Start as early as possible to cross over the great Barranco wall. The wall looks more difficult than it is, but will still take you the best of 2 hours. From the top of the wall a couple of valleys need to be crossed until reaching the Karanga valley. Here you will set up camp. Overnight at the Karanga valley campsite.

ITINERARY DAY 05 Day 04 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Karanga valley camp at +/- 4100m
End point	Barafu camp (4600m)
Terrain	Alpine Desert
Distance to walk	+/- 5 Km

From the Karangu valley camp it will be a short hike that camp be completed in around 4 hours. It is still recommended to start early as to have more time to spent relaxing at the Barafuu camp. The more rest you get in at this camp the better prepared you will be to have a successful summit.

ITINERARY DAY 06 Day 05 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	Barafu camp at +/- 4600m
First major landmark	Stella Point at +/- 5250m
Second major landmark	Uhuru Peak at +/- 5895m
End point	Mweka camp at +/- 3100m
Terrain	Alpine Desert scree slope with ice/snow and Glaciers
Distance to summit	+/- 6 Km

Around midnight you will have to start your final ascent to the summit. You will be woken with tea/coffee and biscuits. This part of your hike will be done at night to be able to reach Stella Point around first light (+/- 6 hours from Barafu camp). This will be by far the most difficult part of your hike, as you will not only be hiking on a slope of lose gravel, but also be doing so at altitude. Remember to constantly be on the move, and only take short breaks every 2 hours or so to avoid getting cold. Your equipment that you have on should be able to assist your body to warm itself, and to keep cold wind out, but when not moving this becomes more difficult. Once arriving at Stella Point, people tend to stay to long, and subsequent to that will turn around at this point. Do not spend more than 10 minutes here as you still have the last leg of your trip to complete. Another +/- 1½ hours hike and you will have reach Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa. After this amazing and emotional experience you will return back to Barafu camp via Stella Point. This will go allot fasters than when you summated. You should arrive back at Barafu camp just before lunch time for a light lunch and a short break. After that you will continue down with the Mweka route to the Mweka camp for dinner and a well earned rest.

ITINERARY DAY 07 Day 06 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	Mweka camp at +/- 3100m
End point	Mweka gate at +/- 1980m
Terrain	Rain forest
Distance to walk	+/- 15 Km

No need for walking slow anymore, it is also not necessary to run. Enjoy the scenery as you walk thought the rain forest. Lunch will be served at the Mweka gate around 12h00. It will take you approximately 4 hours to reach the gate from Mweka camp. From the gate you will be collected and returned to Hotel Springlands for a celebration dinner. All successful mountaineers that have reached Uhuru or Gilman’s point will be presented with a unique certificate to commemorate your achievement.

OTHER ROUTES:
MARANGU ROUTE
MACHAME ROUTE
LEMOSHO ROUTE
RONGAI ROUTE

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