Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek
Optional 6-Day Extension
UMBWE ROUTE

 Tue 02 March to Tue 9 March 2015
operated by Wild Frontiers of Tanzania

MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Situated south of the equator - in Tanzania - at 19,340 feet (5,895 m), this is Africa's highest mountain and the highest "free standing" mountain in the world. Huge permanent glaciers flow down from the summit, and spectacular views and beautiful ice formations are the reward for the successful trekker, as well as the satisfaction of conquering this mighty peak.

It is not for the faint-hearted - this will at times test you to your limits, mentally as well as physically. The main problems encountered are altitude sickness, which can be countered by use of medicines, and lack of oxygen. The standard route is a hike - no technical climbing as such. It is cold in the upper section - correct kit is a must - but our kit lists will assist you with packing requirements. We have personally done the major routes, so can offer first hand advice.

Good preparation and advice, as well as good guides on the mountain, have given us an over 95% success rate (the average is 60%) - this type of thing is a "once in a lifetime" challenge, and must not be taken lightly. We ensure that all our trekkers have all the facts - medical list, equipment list, etc., long before they travel - possibly the reason for our success rate.

We use high altitude mountain tents for our Kilimanjaro trek because the huts (where available) are in poor condition. All your supplies and camping equipment is portered up for you (tents, 25-mm mattresses, awnings, stools, lights, etc) and your meals are prepared. Your personal kit bag limit for the porter is12kg (26lbs) for the trek. You must carry your own personal Day Back-pack.

Any very fit person who enjoys walking/hiking can reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The youngest to make it was nine years old - the oldest seventy-nine.

While thousands of people scramble to the top of Kilimanjaro each year, there are five principal routes up the mountain: Marangu, Shira, Mweka, Umbwe and Machame. The Umbwe route is the most scenic, and the least utilized of these routes as it is a bit steeper at times.

UMBWE ROUTE:

This is probably the most beautiful route by which to ascend the mountain, and is shorter than the other routes, while having good acclimatization time. It also makes the distances covered between overnights at altitude shorter and avoids a lot of the crowding experienced in some sites in season. Please note that the first two days on the mountain are quite tough, as one gains altitude relatively quickly, thereafter the distances are short.

The guides employed by us are excellent (some have climbed Kili over 300 times!) They are employed by the Keys Hotel and have looked after a multitude of our clients. Each trip is led by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per 2 or 3 trekkers - if you are a bit slower than the rest or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you. Food served on the mountain is generally tasty and wholesome, including a lot of carbohydrates and fresh vegetables. Vegetarians are catered for, but please notify us in advance.

Trek Itinerary - Umbwe Route

Tue 03Mar ~ Moshi - Umbwe Caves
The Kili Trek begins...

0800 After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe park gate (5,200ft.) where you will meet your guide and porters. The guides have an amount of paperwork to do at the gate, as well as organizing the porters - these things take time (African time!) - please relax, sit down and enjoy the scenery.

Your chief guide will discuss with you, in detail, the route and each day's activity.

This day wear your hiking boots and ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you. Shorts and t-shirt will be sufficient. There are patches on the route where it can be wet and muddy, and you may end up with wet boots this evening. Ensure your boots are waterproof, and that you have spare lightweight shoes to wear in camp this evening. ALWAYS keep your boots and water bottles INSIDE the tent at night - otherwise they will freeze in higher altitude. Fill up your water bottle at night, and purify it - allowing some of the chlorine fumes to dissipate.

Take it SLOWLY today. You will encounter some steep parts on the trek. The porters walk ahead - so make sure that every day you have all your personal gear needed with you for the day, as you will not have access to your kit bag until the next camp. A seven-hour walk through the spectacular rain forest will bring you to a camping area - Umbwe Caves Campsite at 9,375ft. Take your time walking through this section - it will help towards acclimatization. REMEMBER - Go 'pole pole' (slowly, slowly) up the mountain - this is the surest way to successfully reach the top!

Camp will be set up by the porters and your meals will be prepared by the cooks. Conditions are at times difficult on this route, and your guides / porters will do everything they can to make your trek pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite may diminish. Overnight camping.

Wed 04Mar ~ Barranco

Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, just in case, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. Today you should take Diamox (if planning to) - in the morning. You may experience tingling fingers, toes and nose from this drug. As it is a diuretic, it is most important to keep your fluid intake high.

Some fairly steep walking through the forest, and along a scenic ridge, before the path flattens as you approach Barranco Hut, in the moor land zone. A fairly long and strenuous day (+- 6 hours walking), as the altitude is now beginning to be felt. Overnight camping - Barranco Camp, 12,795ft.

Thu 05Mar ~ Karanga Valley

Morning at leisure, as today will be an acclimatization day. You will then ascend the steep rocky ridge known as the Barranco Wall before dropping into the Karanga Ridge for overnight at 12,950ft (+- 4 hours).

Fri 06Mar ~ Barafu Camp

Continue this morning across the valley and up to Barafu Camp (15,092ft.), approx. 3 hours walking. This is an acclimatization day, as you ascend up sections of scree and rock. You will be able to rest up at Barafu for the whole afternoon, acclimatizing and gathering strength for the summit.

Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at base camp relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide/s, they will help you. It will be cold tonight - dress warmly. After an early supper, drink as much tea as possible, settle down (option with a sleeping pill!) for an early night. If you plan to take Decadron, do so before going to bed.

Drink plenty of fluids, as you are in a 'desert' area - albeit cold, and tomorrow will be a long hard day. You will be woken about 11:00PM with tea and cookies.

Sat 07Mar ~ Summit! Uhuru Peak - Millennium Camp

Today is a very long and strenuous day. Drink lots of fluid before you start. You will be very thirsty by the end of the day - if you can manage, carry 3 liters of fluid with you today. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent, and use your headlamp.

At about midnight you will start trekking up scree for approximately 6 hours. The guides will stop frequently for resting. It is very important to listen to your body and breathing and try to get into a rhythm. Because of the slowness of your walk, your fingers and toes are likely to get cold - three pairs of socks should be considered for today and two pairs of gloves (inner and warm outer). Use foot, toe and hand warmers for additional comfort (REI). The night views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance.

You arrive at Stella Point (18,865ft.), just at the top of the crater, for a rest - the sunrise should be spectacular! From here continue on a relatively easy path for about one hour up to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft.), the highest point in Africa. CONGRATULATIONS!! Enjoy the view and take photos at the Top of Africa sign.

Then descend from Stella to Barafu, about 3 hours. You will travel down quickly on the scree taking in more oxygen, step by step. Depending on the timing of your summitting, you will be able to have a short rest here at Barafu Camp and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route, which has recently re-opened after extensive re-furbishing by National Parks.

Arrive Millennium Camp (12,650ft), mid-late afternoon, for the last overnight camping. Time to reflect on today's achievements. Treat yourself to a beer from the Millennium Hut.

Sun 08Mar ~ Millennium Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi

Approximately five hours descent down the mountain via Mweka Camp then through the rainforest to the Park Gate (5,200ft.), where you will be met by the vehicles. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the Keys Hotel (approximately 45 minutes drive) ready for an evening of celebration by the swimming pool.

Your certificates are generally handed out by the guides (when they join you for a celebratory drink at the hotel).

Mon 09Mar ~ Moshi - USA

Mon 09Mar ~ Leave KILIMANJARO

Connect to your flight home