Suitable for fit hikers only, this is an extreme variation on Climb Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route 6 Days, ascending via the Western Breach. Participants should be fully aware of the level of exertion and danger before booking this trip – exactly what some rare visitors are looking for.
DESCRIPTION
This is a 6-day Kilimanjaro hike starting at Umbwe Gate and ascending via The Western Breach. Due to the relatively extreme nature of this trip, there are generally fewer people than on other routes and if guests have altitude sickness they will not be allowed to ascend the breach. This is the 7-day version with a night in the crater – pre-acclimatization on Mt Meru is strongly recommended.
Please note: This route is inherently more dangerous than other routes for 2 reasons. Firstly, the amount of time spent at high altitude and accessing the western breach. This route should only be undertaken by fit individuals with experience in altitude and adventurous training.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro: Afromontane forest, Barranco valley, Lava Tower, glaciers, and the Western breach. Unusual ascent of Kibo, walking in the Kibo Caldera, and the option to visit the ash pit. The Roof of Africa!
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION |
The hotel you will be staying in Arusha or Moshi |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight |
| INCLUDED |
- Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Three healthy and fresh meals
- Professional and experienced mountain Guide
- Professional and experienced cooks.
- Transportation to & from the airport
- Transportation to & from the mountain gates
- Enough porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment.
- Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides
- Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)
- Radio and cell phone communication help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise
- We provide our guides with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates on acclimatization progress
- Assistance with climbing permit procedure
|
| NOT INCLUDED |
- Personal porters
- All international and domestic flights
- Tourist Visas
- Medical and Travel insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)
- Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)
- A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)
- Others; Extra expenses such as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included.
- Any other alterations to our itineraries
- Emergency Oxygen
|
MORE ABOUT 6 DAYS KILIMANJARO CLIMBING UMBWE ROUTE
Approaching from the south, climbing Kilimanjaro Umbwe route 6 days is a short, steep, and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Travelcation Africa Safaris offers the Umbwe route as a six or seven-day private climb. The seven-day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp.
ITINERARY
IN BRIEF
Hike Distance – 34 miles / 54km
Vertical Gain – 14,108ft / 4300m
Drop – 14,633ft / 4460m
Trekking Time – 38 hours
IN DETAIL
DAY 1 – UMBWE CAVES
START – 5,906FT / 1800M
END – 9,351FT / 2850M
DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast, you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. Your first stop is at Machame Gate to collect your permits before getting back in your vehicle and driving to Umbwe Gate. After checking in you set off up through the forest zone. The first day of hiking is not overly difficult but certainly steepens towards the latter end of the day. In the late afternoon, you arrive at the first camp in time for dinner.
DAY 2 – BARRANCO CAMP
START – 9,351FT / 2850M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 6KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
The second day ascends from the forest zone into the heath zone and there are some very steep sections here. Taking it easy is essential to allow your body to acclimatize. A picnic lunch is taken en route. Later that afternoon you arrive at Barranco Camp in time to relax for a while before dinner. The views of the Barranco wall and Western breach pertain to events some 60,000 years ago when this whole part of the mountain collapsed.
DAY 3 – KARANGA CAMP
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 13,108FT / 3995M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to the summit in.
DAY 4 – BARAFU CAMP
START – 13,108 / 3,995M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the remainder of the evening.
DAY 5 – KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP
START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however, the first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.
DAY 6 – ARUSHA
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through the Afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Travelcation Africa Safari Representative to congratulate you, find out how the trip went, and answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
END OF YOUR 6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.