UMBWE ROUTE
Detailed itinerary and prices available on request
The Umbwe route is one
of the shortest but steepest routes to the Southern Glaciers, affording
one views of the forests, valleys, magnificent vegetation and glaciers.
However, it is only recommended for very fit climbers as you gain altitude
very quickly over a shorter distance. Unfortunately, while the traditional
route followed up through arrow glacier, this route is now closed.
DAY 1
Umbwe Gate
(1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
After
breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m where you will
sign the register before you enter the park. As you head into the forest,
temperature scan rise to about 35 degrees C, but as you quickly rise in
altitude, they will progressively drop, by about 1 degree for each 200m
climbed. The paths can also be quite muddy. The route initially follows a
forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows
and becomes steeper as you climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe
rivers. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
DAY 2
Bivouac
(first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
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 and as it ascends through
the heath, the ridge narrows and sharpens quite quickly. As you gain
higher altitude, you will note how quickly the various vegetation zones
change. Sighting of Lammergeyer are quite common. The path flattens as you
approach Barranco Valley. The camp is situated in the valley below the
Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
DAY 3
Acclimatisation Day
This day will
be spent at Barranco camp to aid with acclimatisation. You can spend the
day walking around to explore the surrounding areas such as up to the
Barranco wall, take in sights of the magnificent Scenecio's, or just rest.
Day 4.
Barranco
camp (3950m) - Barafu Camp (4600m)
After
breakfast you will begin the scramble up the Great Barranco Wall and then
begin the traverse over the scree towards the Karanga Valley at 4000m. It
is here that you will get the incredible views of the Heim, Kersten and
Decken glaciers. After leaving the Karanga Valley, you will continue along
the trail to Barafu Hut. You will now find yourself completely in the
alpine desert of crushed stone and scree.
Day 5.
Barafu -
Summit (5895m) to Mweka
You will wake
around 23h00 and after a cup of tea and a biscuit, shuffle off into the
night for the summit of Kilimanjaro. The route heads up between the
Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers towards Stella Point and then on to Uhuru Peak
where you will enjoy the magnificent views and a well deserve photo
opportunity. You will then descend back down to Barafu camp from the
summit, which takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but
short rest, before heading down to Mweka camp (3100m).
DAY 6
Mweka camp
(3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
After an
early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 2-3 hour, scenic hike back to
the Park gate. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit
certificates. Those climbers who were too tired to continue from the
crater floor and diverted back down via Stella Point (5685m) are issued
with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive
gold certificates.
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