Mt. Kilimanjaro - Umbwe route, 8 days

The group arrives at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Our representative will meet you and transfer to Aishi Machame Hotel.

Our manager will visit you in the evening, bringing a printed, signed and sealed agreement. He will give you a brief trekking orientation and check your equipment.

Important info:

The hotel price includes breakfast only.

Hotel check-in starts at 2 PM.

Our guides and climbing crew will come to the hotel. A small briefing will be followed by a transfer to the entrance to the Kilimanjaro National Park – Umbwe Gate (1640 m). After the guides arrange the park permits and register the crew with the emergency service, the group will trek to Umbwe Camp (2940 m). A long trekking with significant altitude increase lies ahead. Choosing and keeping a proper trekking pace is very important at this stage.

The route goes through the tropical forest, where the chances of rains are high. Do not forget raincoats (or waterproof ponchos). By the time of your arrival at the camp, our team will arrange the camp and cooker will make dinner.

It will be you the first day at such altitude. We highly recommend you following these simple instructions:

• Reduce caffeine consumption

• Drink 4 liters (or more) of water (you should better drink in small portions, but frequently)

• Once the symptoms of the high altitude sickness are found, the intake of Diamox is advisable. Moreover, the pill can be taken as a preventive measure at the beginning of the trekking. Seeking professional medical advisory on the possible individual allergic is recommended.

Acclimatization is more difficult at night because of respiratory activity decrease multiplied by high altitude. Once you discover the symptoms of high altitude sickness, ask the guides for help.

The group wakes up early in the morning. After the breakfast, you start trekking to Barranco Camp. A low shrub will change to the tropical forest and if nebulosity is low, a spectacular view on Mount Meru will open. This leg of your trekking is moderate in duration, by midday you will arrive at Barranco Camp (3970 m). The camp is located inside the huge volcano rift.

The cooks will prepare a dinner for you. We recommend spending the rest of the day resting. It makes acclimatization process smoother.

Early wake up, breakfast and you start conquering the Barranco Wall. We recommend starting as early as possible to outstrip other groups. Ascending the wall of the gorge is not a complexity at all. It takes only about one hour. After this accomplishment, you will have an opportunity to rest and take some photos, having spectacular Kibo volcano as a background.

Then a relatively complex trekking awaits you. The rest of the way to Karanga is full of highs and lows, but, no worries, our guide will choose the most optimal trekking speed for you. After you reach the camp, a warm lunch will be offered. After a couple of hours, you will have an additional acclimatization hike up to 300 m towards Barafu and go back to the camp.

Important note:

Acclimatization hike is an easy trekking up to some minor altitudes. Please, kindly note, that these acclimatization hikes are very important in order to reach Uhuru Peak successfully and will help you to prevent AMS (acute mountain sickness).

Our cooks will serve a breakfast; then you will climb to the summit camp Barafu (4673 m). From there you will make a night push to Uhuru Peak (5895 m). You will spend the remainder of the day there, adapting to the altitude and regaining your stamina.

Our crew will erect a camp for you, prepare the tents and warm sleeping bags to give you a complete rest before the night Uhuru climb. The guide will advise you going sleep early and to taking in Diamox and other pills if necessary. They will reduce the unpleasant symptoms of high altitude sickness. Try to drink much water and rest more. Always remember that acclimatization is the best with minimal physical activity.

At night, the team leaves the Barafu Camp (4673 m) and starts conquering Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Technically, this leg of your journey is not difficult, but high altitude is really a challenge. A guide will accompany each couple of the climbers. He will monitor your stamina and fortitude. Once Uhuru is successfully conquered, the group may descend to the glacier.

Then, the group will go down to Barafu Camp. After a two hours rest, you will continue descending to Millennium Camp (3750 m).

Important note:

Do not forget that the 90% of all accidents (broken hands, legs, fractures and strains) befall on the way down. Legs and feet are the most vulnerable areas (especially toenails).

The camp is located amidst the dense tropical forest. Waking up in the morning, satisfied with your accomplishment, you will feel great relief because of lowering altitude. Our cooks will offer you a warm breakfast, and you will start going down to the exit from the National Park – Mweka Gate (1640 m). Then, the team will salute and congratulate you. You will have an opportunity to leave your memories in the Mountain Kilimanjaro guestbook.

We will present you Kilimanjaro Climbing certificates in our office and then transfer you to Aishi Machame Hotel.

Rest at Aishi Machame Hotel. Transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport

Important note:

Hotel check-out is at 11:00. In the event of necessity (e.g. your flight is scheduled for evening time) you can prolong your stay to 18:00 for extra payment (charged by the hotel).