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Umbwe route is one of the Shortest Routes of Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. It begins in the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach and it’s the most hardest and challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. However it is for trekkers who are looking for a true climbing challenge. It is a quiet, infrequently used path that can be very difficult, yet very rewarding at the same time. This is the route to choose if you want to test yourself on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, far from the crowds that are found on the more common trails. Therefore, since it is a very short and direct route, it is not recommended for people with little altitude experience.
In this first day you will drive from Arusha to the Umbwe Gate (about 30 minutes). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route. The small winding path leads us up through rainforest and along the Umbwe River. The first night’s camp is at Umbwe Cave Camp.
In this day after breakfast we leave camp and shortly afterwards the forests ends. We can see the sheer wall of the Western Breach appearing and disappearing as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco.
In this day after breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
In this day after breakfast we continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
In this day very early in the morning (midnight), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will head in a northwestern direction and ascend towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
In this day 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). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 2 hrs).
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