RONGAI ROUTEl MACHAMEl
UMBWEl LEMOSHOl
MARANGUl SHIRAl
6 Days/5 Nights UMBWE ROUTE
DURATION 6 DAYS:
The Umbwe
route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the
Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route
on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively
fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer
people, pristine forest and shorter walking distances make it a
great option for fit hikers. Add to your experience - OVERNIGHT IN
THE CRATER!! Be one of a few fortunate people to spend a night in
Africa's largest volcano. This option is highly recommended, as this
will be the only opportunity to get close to the beautiful and
fascinating glaciers of Kilimanjaro and to be able to visit the ash
pit.
Day 1:
Umbwe
Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Hiking time: 5
hours.
Habitat:
Montane forest.
After
breakfast you will be driven from Arusha to Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing
through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at
the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the
register before you enter the park for your first step to
accomplishing a life-long dream. 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.
Day 2:
Bivouac
(first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m).
Hiking time: 6
hours.
Habitat:
Montane forest & Moorlands.
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 (3950m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Arrow Glacier Camp
(4800m).
Habitat:
Moorland/Semi desert.
After
breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous
landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of
Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro's little sister, punching her peak through the
clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep
climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing and symptoms of
altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is
spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only
rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is
very cold and you need to be prepared.
Day 4:
Arrow
Glacier (4800m) - Crater (5700m).
Hiking time: 5
hours.
Distance:
About 15 km's
Habitat: Semi
desert/ Snowfields.
Day 5:
SUMMIT
ATTEMPT, Crater (5700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m).
Hiking time: 2
hours to reach Uhuru Peak.
7/8 hours to
descend to Mweka.
Habitat: Stone
scree and ice-capped summit.
You will rise
around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into
the early morning darkness. From the crater floor you will probably
encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Time
spent on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not
stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start
again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day
to remember for the rest of your live. The walk to Barafu camp from
the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned
but short rest, before heading down to Millennium camp (3100m). 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 provided as well as
drinking water.
Day 6:
Mweka
camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m).
Hiking time: 3
hours.
Distance:
Habitat: Forest
About 15
km's.
After an early
and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour, scenic hike back to the
Park gate. 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 (5685m)
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, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour)
hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot
lunch!! You will then drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot
shower and celebrations!! Overnight at Jacaranda Hotel.
NOTE:
The itinerary may change at any time due to weather or safety
conditions. Hiking times and distances are estimated only, but have
been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable pace throughout the
hike. The above itinerary is a guide only and extra days can be
added according to your preferences. With the above route you can
summit via Barafu camp or via Arrow Glacier
I TANZANIA I
KENYA I ZANZIBAR I
MAFIA I
KILWA I
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