Umbwe Route

Tour Details

Overview

The Umbwe rout is the exact shortest route to the Kilimanjaro summit, its steepness for the first two days makes it suitable for skilled mountaineers. Umbwe route is not ideal for group treks due to differences of fitness level among the trekkers. The trekkers’ success rate for reaching the Uhuru summit through this route is very low.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Lava Caves

Drive to marangu gate, then to Umbwe Village to start the climb for 5 hrs through the rain forest to camp at the Lava caves-2, 800 m above sea level.

Day 2: Lava caves to Barranco camp

After breakfast, continue to ascend along sharp ridge, a distinct high mountain feeling overwhelms. Hike past the moorland camp and by mid afternoon settle at Barranco camp-3900m.

Day 3: Barranco camp to Arrow Glacier

A four to five hours walk past enormous breach wall leads to the foot of arrow glacier camp for meals and evening. This is good for acclimatizing 4900m and a beautiful sight of sunset behind Mt. Meru.

Day 4: Arrow Glacier to Kilimanjaro Crater Rim

Climb the same steep scrambling up the screes and across the frozen lava on the tottering wall. We camp on the stunning crater rim of Kilimanjaro.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Crater Rim to mweka

Trek up the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,896m). Descend via Gilman’s point and barafu camp Hut for dinner and overnight at mweka camp (3,761m).

Day 6: Mweka to Arusha

After breakfast, trek the last leg of descent past Mweka gate where you will receive the certificate and hot lunch and later transfer to Arusha hotel/lodge for refreshing and later transferred to Ariport.