Discover this unique and somewhat challenging trail to the top of Kilimanjaro and make it your end of year to do list, discover the beauty of the mountain on this off the beaten track and less popular trail, hike starts 27th on 7 days adventure using umbwe route and enjoy new year morning sunrise at uhuru peak. Start your year with a triumphant ascent to Africa’s tallest mountain and carry on into the next year with a positive attitude.
DAY 1: HIKING FROM UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVES CAMPSITE (27th December)
Hotel pick up by our vehicle, drive to Umbwe gate. Here, after completing the registration procedures at the gate, begins the trek through the rainforest to Umbwe Cave campsite where you will find all the tents already set up, then stop for dinner and overnight. Today you walk over ridges and valleys in very dense forest
Distance traveled: 10 km
Usage time: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Campsite
DAY 2: HIKING FROM UMBWE CAVES CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMPSITE (28th December)
On this day, after breakfast, you will hike through the remaining forest to the moorland and moorland area and enjoy magnificent views of the Barranco valleys and the ice cap at the top of the mountain. Arrival then at Barranco camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance traveled: 9 km
Usage time: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Campsite Barranco camp
DAY 3: HIKING AROUND BARRANCO CAMPSITE (Full Day Acclimatization) 29th December)
The third day is spent exploring the vicinity of Barranco camp for much-needed acclimatization. Have your camera ready to capture the ragwort-covered campsite scenery. Many trekkers consider this their favorite camp site on this route which is more reason why this is the perfect location for your acclimatization day. If you are very confident in your body’s ability to acclimate properly, you can choose the 6 days Umbwe itinerary.
Traveled distance: 10km
Operating time: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Barranco camp
DAY 4: CLIMBING FROM BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMPSITE (30th December)
After sleeping under the Great Barranco Wall, you will have the ability to overcome this obstacle. Don’t worry… it’s a lot easier than it looks. Continue until you reach just below the Heim Glacier. Then descend through the Karanga valley. This is the last place porters can get water. They collect all the water for the rest of the climb here. You will settle here at Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon exploring or resting while enjoying the view of the majestic spiers of Mawenzi.
Distance traveled: 7 km
Duration of use: 4 hours
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Camp Karanga
DAY 5: CLIMBING FROM KARANGA CAMPSITE TO BARAFU CAMPSITE (31st December)
After breakfast, head east, traversing several ridges and valleys until you reach the Mweka Trail and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach Barafu Hut. You arrive at the camp and find your tent on a rocky ridge with strong winds. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be on the safe side. Also keep your head torch/flashlight handy if you need to leave your tent in the dark. Pack your gear (swap batteries in headlamp and camera) before bed at 7pm and try to catch up on a few hours of sleep before heading to the top!
Traveled distance: 5km
Usage time: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Barafu camp
DAY 6: TREKKING FROM BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK THEN BACK TO MWEKA CAMP (1st January)
Wake up at 11.30pm for tea or coffee and biscuits, then depart from Barafu to reach the summit. Ascend across thick scree for 6 hours following numerous switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann Glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,685m). You’ve just completed what most climbers consider the most challenging part of their trek. Depending on your pace so far, you might get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. While you may be tired, it’s important to keep moving due to the extreme cold. At Stella Point, you have joined the last stretch of the Marangu road. You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours to your final destination, Uhuru Peak.
Congratulations, you are now on the roof of Africa! You will have time to take photos with the famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to start descending quickly so that you have enough time to rest at Barafu Camp. After a 3 hour descent over slippery scree, you will reach Barafu for a short rest while you collect your gear, then proceed to Mweka Forest Camp. It can rain a little in the afternoon, so make sure you have your rain gear in your backpack. Enjoy a well deserved dinner and sleep. At Mweka camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, chocolate bars and beer.
Distance traveled: 7 km uphill 22 km downhill
Duration of use: 8h – high, 9 – 10h low
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Camp Mweka
DAY 7: DESCENDING FROM MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE THEN FINALLY MOSHI (2nd January)
After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain, so descend to the gate of Mweka Park and hike through the Montana forest. This descent lasts 3-4 hours. Then, check here at the gate and prepare to board the vehicle ready for transfer to Moshi.
Distance traveled: 9.1 km
Duration of use: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: breakfast and lunch
7 days Umbwe Price Inclusion
General
✓ Guide✓ Park Fees✓ Tax✓ Gate transfer✓ Crew wages✓ Environment fees
Accommodation
During the climb you will spleep in Tents
Food
✓ 6 Breakfasts✓ 7 Lunches✓ 6 Dinners✓ Drinking Water
Other
✓ Guide✓ Porters✓ Cook
Not Included
FlightsCrew TipsVisas