UMBWE ROUTE
Daring experienced climbers seeking adventure and challenge will find just what they want on Umbwe. A short steep climb traversing all the climate zones – from tropical rainforest to eternal ice – will put your strength and endurance to the test. Like no other route on Kilimanjaro Umbwe gives a sense of achievement to those who reach the summit. Your first day on the mountain will start from Umbwe Gate and continue with a lengthy trek to the first camp on your way to Umbwe camp. In spite of the challenge that Umbwe poses to hikers, well thought-out location of camps will contribute to proper acclimatization.
The trek through Umbwe is available only as a 6-day program. Recommended only to experienced hikers in good physical shape.
UMBWE ROUTE ITINERARY
8-day Kilimanjaro adventure via Umbwe route (6-day trekking + 2 days in a hotel)
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Wonderland representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park: Umbwe Gate (1,640 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to your first camp: Umbwe Camp (2,930 m). This will be a long trekking day that includes an important increase in altitude, so don’t hurry. It is important to find the right pace for your group and stick with it for the rest of the trip. You should also remember to take your raincoats: this route includes passage through a rainforest, where tropical showers are highly probable.
By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
- Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
- Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
- Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the
- morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We
- recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Umbwe Gate (1,640 m) – Umbwe Camp (2,930 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of trekking to Barranco Camp. The rainforest will quickly give way to brush, and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see Meru Volcano for the first time. Trekking for this day will be of a moderate length, and around lunchtime you will reach Barranco Camp (3,960 m), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault. Lunch will be provided here, and then you have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day, which significantly facilitates the acclimatization process.
Change in Elevation: Umbwe Camp (2,930 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:
Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 8-12 hours
The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.
UMBWE ROUTE TREK COST
All payments in Tanzania are in USD only. The prices in RUB and EUR are given for informational purposes only.
Our standard adventures are what the majority of climbers are looking for. The combination of great comfort and high safety standards makes our classic hikes enjoyable and memorable. This is the most popular option among our clients.
This climbing package includes everything that a climber may need for the hike – our experienced mountain crews, high-quality group equipment and nutritionist-designed meals. Our safety protocols, though, are the same for all our hiking adventures – only the guides with Wilderness First Responder certification are assigned to lead a party.
Other safety measures include a supply of oxygen cylinders, complete medical kits and compulsory medical check-ups (two per day).
The progress of each trekking party is tracked with GPS device. You may share the link with your family and friends, who will be able to monitor your progress in a real-time mode. Before and after the adventure you will stay in a good hotel with caring staff, hot water, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool.
Price
6-Day Climb + 2 Days in a Hote | 1 pax | 2 pax | 4 pax | 6 pax | 7 pax |
| $2,744 | $2,196 | $1,953 | $1,842 | $1,806 |
Price includes:
Transfers:
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park
- Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel.
Entry fees:
- All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
Accommodation:
- One night at 3* Hotel or Lodge in Moshi before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay – caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool).
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Please note:
All accommodation is on sharing basis (i.e., you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Meals:
- Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike.
- All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/ gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
- All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats.
- All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters.
- GPS-tracking service.
- Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
- Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience.
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
The climb cost excludes:
- Airline tickets.
- Visa fee.
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent).
- Personal gear rentals.
- Tips for the mountain crew (200–250 USD per person).
- Mountaineering insurance.
Disclaimer:
Trip prices are based on Wonderland costs, fees, and supplier prices in effect at the time of booking. Wonderland reserves the right to alter trip prices should inflation, cost of fuel, labor, materials, or exchange rates change. If the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) raises park fees, or any hotel, lodge, camp, airline, or any other service provider raises their rates Wonderland reserves the right to require additional payment from the client.