MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB
Any physically fit person can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.. No climbing
experience is necessary to get you to the top of Africa's highest
mountain 5,895M (19,340FT) with its magnificent gleaming glaciers,
Flora and Fauna.
Weather
Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but there are
two rainy seasons - late March to mid June and November. The best
months are December, January to March and July to October usually
dry and minimum clouds.
8 Days Umbwe Route: Mount Kilimanjaro Climb
The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern
Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic,
non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily
due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the
rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest and shorter
walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers. Add to your
experience - OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER!! Be one of a few fortunate
people to spend a night in Africa's largest volcano. This option is
highly recommended, as this will be the only opportunity to get
close to the beautiful and fascinating glaciers of Kilimanjaro and
to be able to visit the ash pit.
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to SG
Resort for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for
the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Hiking time: 5 hours | Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m,
passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On
arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign
the register before you enter the park for your first step to
accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and
the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry
track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows
and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers,
with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular
views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro
towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge
trees and thick undergrowth.
Day 3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest starts thinning and is
replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly,
moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but
spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of
Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you - etched against the
blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From
the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp.
The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great
Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset
while your dinner is being prepared.
Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Arrow Glacier
Camp (4800m)
Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a
famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with
views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro's little sister, punching her peak
through the clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western
Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing
and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The
campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared,
leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black.
The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared.
Day 5: Arrow Glacier (4800m) - Crater (5700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Semi
desert/ Snowfields
From the Arrow Glacier camp steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring
a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater floor (5700m).
This day will be the toughest challenge by far. After snowfalls the
route can become icy and in these conditions an ice axe or ski stick
may be required. When reaching the crater rim, you will be
astonished by the view of snow and glaciers. Visible to you left is
the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier
in front of you. Walk past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated
at the crater rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1
½ hour). The Ash Pit is 340m across, 120m deep and is one of the
most perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold
as snow might occur. Be one of a fortunate few to spend a night in
the inner crater of Kilimanjaro.
Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Crater (5700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka
(3100m)
Hiking time: 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 7/8 hours to descend to
Mweka | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you
shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor
you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent
to Uhuru Peak. Time spent on the summit will depend on the weather
conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely
difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your
accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The
walk to Barafu camp from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you
will have a well earned but short rest, before heading down to
Millennium camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take
you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually
into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist
or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing
water will be provided as well as drinking water.
Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour, scenic
hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and
details in a register. This is also where successful climbers
receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella
Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who
reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka
Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy
3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a
delicious hot lunch!! You will then drive back to Arusha for a long
overdue hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight at SG Resort.
NOTE: The itinerary may change at any time due to weather or safety
conditions. Hiking times and distances are estimated only, but have
been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable pace throughout the
hike. The above itinerary is a guide only and extra days can be
added according to your preferences. With the above route you can
summit via Barafu camp or via Arrow Glacier.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or
continue with your safari schedule. End of services. B
Tour Price: US$ 1,490 per person sharing. Single room supplement:
US$ 65
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Umbwe route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at SG Resort for 2 nights and huts on the mountain
as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the
mountain, porters and skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the
itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
Excluded:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Medical evacuation, US$ 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the
above itinerary. |
