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8-Day Kilimanjaro Adventure (6-Day Climbing) - Umbwe Route   Tour Code: 092-1015

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  • From USD$1527
  • Available:Daily
  • Depart from:Moshi, Tanzania
  • Highlights:Takes you to Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak and you can start your trek any day of the year! This Umbwe is a steep, spectacular, and direct route to reach Uhuru Peak. You can add an extra day to your itinerary to explore or relax along the route.
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  Ticket Type
1-5 people $1577/person
6 or more $1527/person
Mount Kilimanjaro is located three degrees south of the equator in Northeastern Tanzania. It is the tallest mountain in Africa and is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Of the famous highest seven peaks in the world, this is the easiest to get to and the easiest to climb. It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain.

Duration

6 days trekking from Moshi; 4 and a half days ascending, 1 and a half days descending

Length

81 km/50 mi total; 43 km/27 mi to summit; 38 km/24 mi descent from summit

Elevation

4,095 m/13,435 ft net gain; 3,915 m/12,845 ft descent Umbwe Gate (1,800 m/5,905 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) and descent to Mweka Gate (1,980 m/6,500 ft)

Description

This Umbwe is the most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. This route became famous when it was featured in the dramatic IMAX film Kilimanjaro - To the Roof of Africa. On the Umbwe, you pass through strange landscapes as you climb through five climate zones ranging from rainforest to the summit’s glaciers. The route follows a forested ridge to the moorlands, then traverses below the southern icefields to reach the Machame Route, which you follow to the summit. This steep, tough, and in places slightly exposed trek is suitable for a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. Because of the route’s steepness, it is seldom used, and trekking poles are useful on the steep, slippery slopes in the rainforest. All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and a cook prepares all your meals. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Umbwe you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. You can add an extra day to your itinerary to explore or relax along the route (best taken at the Barranco Camp).

If you arrive at the Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (airport transfer is not inclueded in the tour fare, $20/person/way from JRO, $50/person/way from DAR). We recommend at least one rest day before starting your trek. If you are transferring from Nairobi, this can act as your rest day.

Your guide will provide a briefing the evening before your trek, and you must separate one bag for the trek from your other luggage. Rental equipment is available. Extra luggage can be stored in a locked storage room at your Moshi hotel at no charge.

The next morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before last-minute trip preparations at the trekking office. Depending on the route you take, the drive to the trailhead can take up to one hour and can be very bumpy.

Once you reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb and sign the national park registration book. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. Your guide will be pleased to assist with any additional information.

The average hiking day begins between 8-9am and is about 5 to 6 hours, walking very, very slowly. The distances you will hike each day are very moderate so as to acclimate a little at a time. Your guides will repeat over and over, "pole pole" (po-ly, po-ly), which means "go slowly" in Swahili.

The terrain lower down is absolutely gorgeous and fascinating. Higher up, the views are vast. There is little to do at the camps themselves, so take advantage of the slow pace to absorb the scenery and take every photo opportunity.

The hike to the summit starts around midnight depending on your route and speed of your group. You will go as high as you feel fit. Some people stop at the crater rim, and others continue to the very highest point on the mountain. Your guides will then take you down as quickly as possible to minimize any altitude problems. You will continue past your last campsite to the next one for overnight.

  • Itinerary

DAY1 Moshi(915 m)

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi for your overnight.
Standard Hotel: Springlands Hotel

DAY2 Moshi (915 m) - Umbwe Gate (1,800 m) - Umbwe Camp (2,800 m) 8 km, 5-7 hrs Montane Forest

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and an hour drive from Moshi to Umbwe Village (1,490 m/4,890 ft) where your guides and porters pack your equipment and supplies, and give you a lunch pack. You start your ascent at the small Umbwe Gate just above the village and follow a gentle winding vehicle track for an hour to a signboard that announces the small steep Umbwe trail. The introduction is over, and you now climb up for several hours through a dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees. In places, you must scamper up steep sections of roots and rock. The Umbwe Camp is in the forest, and there are some caves nearby. You will be greeted here with a graciously served hot meal.

DAY3 Umbwe Camp (2,800 m) - Barranco Camp (3,900 m) 8 km, 4-5 hrs Semi-Desert

Your day starts early with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. After breakfast, you will climb steeply through thinning forest glades to Giant Erica, Heather, and drier air. You continue up a ridge that drops steeply on both sides, and hopefully, the clouds will part to reward you with a view of Uhuru Peak looming overhead. After lunch, you enter a zone of giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjaro) that seem to guard the heights, and this garden is one of Kilimanjaro's special treasures.

DAY4 Barranco Camp (3,900 m) - Karanga Camp (4,200 m) 7 km, 4 hrs Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo's glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. This short day is very important for your acclimatization, since your summit push is about to start.

Optional: Extra Day

You can add an extra day to your trek by staying at Barranco Camp for two nights. Then, you will hike to the Karanga Valley Camp on Day 5, the Barafu Camp on Day 6, summit on Day 7, and finish your descent on Day 8. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.

DAY5 Karanga Camp (4,200 m) - Barafu Camp (4,550 m) 13 km, 8 hrs Alpine Desert

In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice." The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.

DAY6 Summit Day! Barafu Camp (4,550 m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) - Mweka Camp (3,100 m) 7 km up, 23 km down 8 hours up, 7-8 hrs down Scree and seasonal snow

You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!

DAY7 Mweka Camp (3,100 m) - Mweka Gate (1,980 m) - Moshi (890 m) 15 km, 3 hrs Forest

After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don't give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night in our Springlands Hotel or similar hotel.

DAY8 Moshi

Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region.

  • Departure and Return Details
  • Airport transfer is available at an extra cost.
  • Inclusions
  • 7 nights accommodations
  • Ground transportation
  • Tour guide service (English/Spanish/French/German speaking guide avaiable)
  • Porters
  • Exclusions
  • Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porter fees, visas, phones, valet, all items of a personal nature and beverages and food unless otherwise stated.
  • Transfer from and to Kilimanjaro Airport($20/person/one way)
  • Transfer from Arusha to Moshi per private car hire $80 one way.
  • Tips to the Tour Guide and Porters (Please refer to addtional note for more information)
  • Additional Note
  • Pre-Post hotel accomodations

    Available on the day before or after the tour. Please Contact Us for the hotel rates.

  • Airport Transfer

    Airport transfers available at an extra cost. From JRO to Springlands hotel we charge US $20 per person per one way. From DAR to Moshi we charge US $50 per one way.

  • Food

    The staple foods in Tanzania are meats, starches, and fruits. Some western foods are difficult to find locally (herbal tea, soy products, specialty items). You may want to bring some of the items with you as well as comfort foods (like chocolate), and high-energy foods (Power bars, Gatorade, etc.). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea are provided on the trek. All meals will have some sort of fruit like bananas, oranges, papayas, and watermelon. Most meals will also have a selection of hot drinks like instant coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

    Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated. Please let us know ahead of time and remind your guide during your trek briefing. Protein options may be minimal on a vegetarian diet, so you may want to bring protein supplements.

    Because of the exercise and high altitude, you is recommended that you drink at least 3 liters of water a day. The porters will purify water for you at each camp. Altitude may diminish your appetitie, but it is very important to keep eating.

    At your Moshi or Arusha hotel, only breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are available at an extra charge.

  • Money

    The local currency is Tanzanian shillings. U.S. dollars, Euros, and credit cards may be accepted by larger stores and hotels, but the exchange rate is better with shillings. ATM's are only available in larger towns like Moshi and Arusha. Most people bring the bulk of their money in travellers cheques, but will also bring some cash including smaller bills. For travellers cheques, there is often a $1/cheque fee, and the exchange rate is better for $100 cheques. When you exchange money, be sure to get some smaller bills as change is not always available.

    A local guide is required to hike Kilimanjaro. We have guides that speak English, Spanish, French and German. Porters will also go on the trip to carry your luggage, food, and other equipment. You will only have to carry a day pack with your daily essentials.

    Tips for guides and porters on Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru:

    • You will want to hand out tips at camp the morning of the last day of the trek. You can use U.S. dollars, Euros, TZ shillings, or a combination of these. It helps if you have small bills to tip everyone individually.
    • The typical tip is $15/day for guides, $10/day for assistant guides and cooks, $7/porter/day for porters. This is from the whole group, not per hiker.
    • Expect 1 guide per 8 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers. Porters as follows:
      • 2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route (minimum of 4 porters)
      • 3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
      • 4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of 8 porters)
      • Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of the luggage.
    • Budget $200 per hiker for tips for a 6-day trek.
    • Gifts: Guides and porters also appreciate your warm clothing, shoes, and packs. You may want to bring some older clothing items just for this purpose.
    • Celebration: You are also welcome to invite your guides back to the Springlands Hotel for drinks and/or dinner (on you) as a thank-you in addition to their tip.

    Expectations Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether they were professional and had your best interests in mind.

Recommended Gear List
  • Kilimanjaro Climber's Packing List Notes
    • The pack that the porters carry is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds). Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $5/day
    • Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double sealed if possible)
    • Wrap clothing in plastic bags
    • In the day pack, take along water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants, and jacket at a minimum. Add any other items you might need during the day, since you may not see your porters until the end of the day.
    • You may want to bring some older items of warm clothing as gifts for your guides and porters or donations to the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society.
    • You can leave extra luggage in a locked storage room at the Springlands Hotel for no charge.
    • You can leave valuables in a safe deposit box at the Springlands Hotel for $1/day.

  • Baggage
    • Day pack, for you to carry
    • Large duffel bag or backpack, for porters to carry
    • Plastic bags

      Clothing You want your inner layer to be wicking - no cotton. Your next layer should be insulating and warm, and your top layer should be water proof but breathable. You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and for sleeping. Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly. Kilimanjaro may be near the equator, but it gets cold up there!

    • Shorts, for first and last day only
    • Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
    • Short-sleeved or t-shirts
    • Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
    • Long underwear
    • Fleece jacket or wool sweater
    • Fleece pants
    • Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind)
    • Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
    • Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
    • Underwear
    • Sport bras, for women

  • Cold Weather Accessories
    • Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
    • Wool or pile hat
    • Balaclava or neck gaitor
    • Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)

  • Footwear
    • Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!
    • Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferrably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support - not too light and not too heavy
    • Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
    • Gaiters
    • Hiking socks for warmer conditions
    • Wool socks for colder conditions
    • Sock liners to wick away moisture

  • Sleeping
    • Sleeping bag (Rated -25 degrees C/-10 degrees F or colder is recommended)
    • Sleeping pad and repair kit
    • Tents are supplied by us at no charge
    • Foam sleeping pads are provided by us at no charge (Thermarest is highly recommended, however)

  • Other
    • Water bottles and Camelback (2-3).
      • Get 3 liters of bottled water before the trip (available at the Springlands Hotel). Your guides will boil water for you along the route, or use steripens for water sanitization.
      • To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water source inside your jacket. For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.
      • Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
    • Water filter or iodine purification tablets
    • Sun hat with brim
    • Sunglasses
    • Bandana
    • Money ($400 or more in cash and/or travellers cheques, including some small U.S., Euro, or Tanzanian bills)
    • Ski or trekking poles
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Camera, film, tripod; Video camera, tapes
    • Batteries. Bring extra sets for headlamp/flashlight and camera as cold weather shortens their life
    • Binoculars
    • Notebook, journal, pencil, and pen
    • Pocket knife
    • Electricity adapter
    • Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
    • Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
    • Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides, porters, and other climbers
    • Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for around $2
    • Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
    • Sewing kit
    • Salt, pepper, and spices for bland food
    • Business cards
    • Alarm clock
    • Calculator (for currency conversion)
    • Swim suit for hotel swimming pool

  • Toiletries
    • Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while on trail)
    • Small towel, soap
    • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Lotion
    • Glasses, contacts, solution (take contacts out each night to prevent blurred vision)
    • Comb, mirror

  • Documents
    • Passport
    • Yellow fever certificate
    • Tanzania Visa
    • Medical insurance
    • Address book
    • Vaccination records
    • Airline tickets
    • Cash, travellers cheques, credit cards
    • Maps, guidebooks
    • Make copies of passport, TZ visa, airline tickets/schedule, and travellers cheques numbers. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.

  • First Aid
    • Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
    • Throat losenges
    • Bandaids
    • Moleskin
    • Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
    • Lip balm with sunscreen
    • Insect repellent
    • Disinfectant, Antiseptic cream
    • Bandages and tape
    • Diahrea medicine
    • Antihistemines
    • Ace bandage
    • Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
    • Malaria pills (talk to your doctor)
    • Antibiotics (talk to your doctor)
    • Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor)
    • Diamox (talk to your doctor)

  • Gifts for Guides, Porters, Locals
    • Shoes
    • Any warm clothing
    • T-shirts
    • Hats
  Redemption
You will receive an email (e-ticket) after your order was received. Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your e-ticket. You must print the e-tickets and take them along on your trip; they are your proof of purchase.
  Terms & Condition

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The purchase of any travel services represents your acceptance Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking.

Cancellations and Cancellation Fees
Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed and pending bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be determined when notice is received and confirmed by our office. Notice of cancellation must be made directly to Gotobus by email or through web mail at Contact Us .

Cancellation penalties per person as follows:

  • Up to 30 days prior to departure - 20% of total purchase amount
  • 29-14 days prior to departure – 50% of total purchase amount.
  • Less than 14 days prior to departure - 100% of total purchase amount.
  • Should the canceling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no cancellation fee. However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the canceling party.
  • There is 6% handling fee add-on to the above penalties.

Tour Cancellation:
We reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure* of the tour, Gotobus' only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking. We will try to re-book the same or similar tour. Please note that we are not liable for any cancellation penalties incurred on any other travel arrangements including air tickets purchased separately from customers.

We are not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations.

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