Umbwe Route - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
Umbwe
Route: Africa Natural Tours (For Mountain Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar)
Tanzania safari company in Moshi
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing,
Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa
Contact
+255 653 679 958
Email: info@africanaturaltours.com
Website: www.africanaturaltours.com
Umbwe Route
The
Umbwe route, which is based in the south, is a classic 6 day tour and is by far
the most difficult one offered on Kilimanjaro. The first two days are extremely
steep, muddy and generally strenuous making it only suitable for well-trained
mountaineers. An acclimatization day is rarely offered on the standard programmer,
but can be added whereby giving the climber an extra day in the Karanga Valley.
The descent trail is the same as the Mweka Route
Itinerary Schedule
Day 1 - Arrival at Kilimanjaro
International Airport (JRO), where you will be meet by Africa Natural Tours representative, transfer to hotel B&B,
pre-climb preparation & briefing in the evening.
Day 2: Umbwe gate (1640m) – Cave
Camp (2930m)
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours 8km
Habitat: Montana Forest
The
majority of the hike on this first day is through the Montane Forest. Lush
vegetation with very old trees and lilts of ferns and mosses mark this as an
area that gets reliable rain year round. The forest abounds with wildlife;
small bushbuck & duikers as well as monkeys. There is also rich and varied
bird life. The first three hours or so is on gently rising land before
steepening for the last two hours. The camp for the night is in a small
clearing on the trail.
Day 3:
Umbwe cave Camp (2930m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Hiking Time: 6 hours 6km
Habitat: Montane forest, heather & moorland
Hiking Time: 6 hours 6km
Habitat: Montane forest, heather & moorland
Shortly
after starting the hike the forest gradually gives away to the giant heath. The
trail has been following a ridge for some time and as it ascends through the
heath land the ridge narrows and sharpens, finally becoming knife edge with
steep drops on each side. As the height of the heath reduces there are stunning
views of both Kilimanjaro southern flank and across the Mount Meru some 50
miles away. Wildlife changes with the vegetation, jackals may be heard barking
and the huge Lammergeyer seen circling overhead. The camp is overlooking the
Barranco Valley with views up towards Arrow Glacier.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) to
Karanga Camp (4035m)
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours 6km
Habitat: heather, alpine Desert
On
the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall - a 950
ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is
very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views
from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is
spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend
down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough
climb up to Barafu hut.
Day 5: Karanga Camp (3960m) - Barafu
Camp (4650m)
Distance: 3-4 hours 4km
Habitat: Alpine desert
Habitat: Alpine desert
From
Karanga the tour heads up a moraine ridge taking your time and going slowly.
The views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial
valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is
quite steep, and as always it's taken it very slowly. As with the day before
you reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax.
In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4650m) -
Summit (5895m) - Mweka camp (3080m)
Hiking time 13-15 hours – 19km
Habitat: Alpine desert, snow, heather & moorland
Very
early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit
between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwestern direction
and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is
the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella
Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded
with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather
permitting).From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your
1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point
on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the
sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but
it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for
both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing
straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You
will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka
Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the
late afternoon.
Later
in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned
sleep.
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3080) - Mweka
gate (1680m)
Hiking Time: 4 hours 10km
Habitat: montane forest
Hiking Time: 4 hours 10km
Habitat: montane forest
After
breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your
summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and
trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear
(keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). To the gate where you will be met
by our driver and be driven to our offices so that you can fill in our
questioners.
Day 8: Departure
Rest
in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Itinerary Highlights
Departure Time & Location
Arrival
at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will be meeting by Africa Natural Tours representative,
transfer to hotel B&B, pre-climb preparation & briefing in the evening.
For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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