The Umbwe Route is the hardest and most direct route to the Southern Glaciers of Kilimanjaro and Western Breach of Kibo. It's a route off the beaten track with a most beautiful scenery.
| Days | Route | Walking Time Distance | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Arrival Tanzania Transfer to Arusha |
Lush Lodge |
D |
|
| 2 | Drive to Umbwe Park Gate (1.640 m) Climbing to Umbwe Cave camp (2.939 m) |
5-6 hours 12 km |
Umbwe Cave |
B, L, D |
| 3 | Climbing from Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp (3.972 m) |
6-7 hours 7 km |
Barranco Camp | B, L, D |
| 4 |
Climbing from Barranco Camp to Lava Tower (4.642 m) |
5-6 hours 5 km |
Lava Tower Hut |
B, L, D |
| 5 | Climbing from Lava Tower to Arrow Glacier Hut (4.800 m) |
7-9 hours |
Arrow Glacier Hut |
B, L, D |
| 6 | Climbing to Uhuru Peak (5.895 m) Descend to Mweka Camp (3.100 m) |
12-13 hours 22 km |
Mweka Camp |
B, L, D |
| 7 | Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1.660 m) |
3-4 hours 10 km |
Airport / Start Safari Program |
B, L |
B: Breakfast - L: Lunch - D: Dinner
Day 1
We will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer you to Arusha. It will take almost 1 hour to drive. Dinner and accomodation will be in the lodge in Arusha. We will give you all informations about your holiday trough your driver and guide there.
Day 2
After breakfast transfer to the Umbwe Park Gate. The route begins an a narrow ridge crest between the Lonzo River to the West and the Umbwe River to the East. It is easy to follow as it continues up through the dense forest. Dinner and overnight stay at Umbwe Cave Camp.
Day 3
We follow the trail through steep and scramble rocks across the rainforest to the moorland. The path proceeds steeply to the Southern Glacier Branches up to the Barranco campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4
This day we proceed our walk from the Barranco Camp up to the Lava Tower Hut. From Lava Tower the views of the Western Breach are fantastic. Dinner and overnight stay at Lava Tower Hut at 4.642 m.
Day 5
The route leads to the Western Breach and continues up to Umbwe ridge, which becomes the western lateral moraine of the peak. The route goes straight towards the Western Breach and then reaches Arrow Glacier for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6
From the Arrow Glacier Camp we climb to the summit, Uhuru Peak, at 5895 m. You get the most incredible views of glaciers surrounding you many storeys high, and the plains of Africa stretched out below you. After taking sunrise pictures from we start descending to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweka camp.
Day 7
After breakfast we have our final descent to the park gate and will be brought back to the hotel in Arusha. You can enjoy your afternoon at the hotel, in the evening we transfer you to the Airport / start the safari program.