6 DAY 5 NIGHTS UMBWE ITINERARY

DAY 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp

Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft

Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

After meeting your climbing team at your hotel at 8 a.m., head to Machame Gate to complete the registration process. After there, we continue driving to Umbwe Gate through communities that are home to numerous banana and coffee plantations. The trail weaves up through the deep rain forest and climbs steeply on a forestry track. As we ascend the mountain between two rivers, the path becomes more narrow and steep and is encircled by enormous trees. Umbwe Camp is nestled in a dense thicket among trees.

DAY 2: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Heath

The hike on this day passes through rocky terrain with mossy, straggling trees and little vegetation. We can see glimmers of Kilimanjaro top as we ascend. As we go closer to Barranco Valley, the path gets flatter. From Umbwe Ridge, the trail winds down through the unusual yet breathtakingly picturesque Forest to Barranco Camp.

DAY 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Head out of the camp and start your day by making your way down a ravine to the Great Barranco Wall's base. Next, we ascend the steep, approximately 900-foot cliff, which is not challenging. We descend rapidly into Karanga Valley after traversing a sequence of hills and valleys from the top of the Barranco Wall. We have one more tough ascent to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day designed to help you get used to it.

DAY 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We go from Karanga Camp and travel through picturesque valleys before arriving at the intersection where the Mweka Trail meets. We keep going up to Barafu Hut's rocky part. You have now finished the Southern Circuit, which provides numerous perspectives of the summit. Here, in order to get ready for the summit day, we set up camp, relax, and eat an early dinner. From here, one can see Kibo's peak and Mawenzi's peak.

DAY 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak down Mweka Camp

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp.

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours.

Habitat: Rain Forest

Very early in the morning, sometime after midnight. Start your ascent to the top. This is the hardest part of the walk, both physically and mentally. At this altitude and time of day, there can be intense wind and cold. You will climb for several hours in the dark, stopping often for brief rests. You will be rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise you are likely to witness coming over Mawenzi Peak near Stella Point (18,900 feet). Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest peak on both the African continent and Mount Kilimanjaro, at last.

Once you've enjoyed and congratulated yourself on reaching the summit, head straight down to the Mweka Hut tent site, stopping for lunch at Barafu. Trekking poles are useful because the trail can be extremely difficult on the knees and is very rocky. Due to Mweka Camp's location in an upper forest, mist or rain is possible in the late afternoon. You will have your final meal on the mountain later in the evening, followed by a well-earned sleep.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft.

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Proceed down to Mweka Gate on your final day and pick up your summit credentials. It can be muddy and damp at lower altitudes. Proceed to Mweka Village after an additional hour from the gate. You will be picked up from Mweka Village and driven back to your accommodation in Arusha town by a car. END OF THE TREK.

MOUNTAIN TREK PACKAGE INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS

The Prices quoted includes:

Day before hike commencement: kit checklist, orientation, and trek briefing
Transportation to and from Arusha to the entrance of Mount Kilimanjaro and back
Government Tax (VAT), entrance permits to Mt. Kilimanjaro Park, costs for camping or huts, park rescue fees, and crew admission fees
Skilled and knowledgeable mountain guides, chefs, and porters
Double-occupancy mountain tents suitable for four seasons.
A 2-inch-thick foam mattress, known as a mountain sleeping pad
Solar lamps, tables, chairs, and tents
During a mountain hike, eat fresh, well-balanced, and nutritious food and meals.

The Price does NOT include:

Travel paperwork, flight tickets, and visa fees
Additional food and beverages served at the hotel during the first evening (lunch or supper)
Additional hotel meals and beverages on the first evening (lunch or supper)
After the hike, giving the climbing workers a tip
After the trek, accommodations and an airport transfer can be scheduled for an additional fee.

Costs of additional services:

The cost for pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro Airport is $30 per person, each trip.
A single addition costs $50 for a single tent.
Extra porter: $20 per day for extra stuff
An additional night in a double room costs $40 or more, depending on the hotel.
Renting a sleeping bag (synthetic, -20F), $50 per trip
Telescopic trekking poles can be rented for $20 per trip.
An oxygen canister with a bottle costs $40 per journey and should only be used in an emergency.