Tanzania Safaris: KILIMANJARO CLIMB/UMBWE ROUTE

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1 Moshi
Arrival at your hotel. If you need to hire any extra gear, advise the hotel this evening. Re-Pack your bag carefully for the climb - remember the weight limit of 12kg. Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge (DBB)

Day 2 Umbwe
After breakfast you will be driven to the park gate where you will meet your guide and porters. The guide has an amount of paperwork to do at the gate, as well as organizing the porters - these things take time (African time!) - enjoy the scenery. The larger the group, the longer it will take - be prepared to wait for anything from 1 - 2 hours.

Discuss with your guide, in detail, the route and each day's activity. Take it SLOWLY today. You will encounter some steep parts on the climb - but generally it's not too strenuous. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you. A seven-hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to a camping area - Umbwe Caves Campsite - with access to water at 2 900 m. The porters will set up Camp and the guide will prepare your meals. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide / porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Overnight camping. Dinner and overnight at Bivouac No 1- Umbwe Caves Campsite (LDBB)

Day 3 Barranco
Some fairly steep walking through the forest, and along a sharp ridge for 3 - 4 hours, before the path flattens as you approach Barranco Hut, in the moorland zone. A fairly long and strenuous day (+- 6 hours walking), as the altitude is now beginning to be felt. You may get rain or sleet, and in the morning the ground and tents will be frozen over. Overnight camping - Barranco camp, 3 900 m (LDBB)

Day 4 Barafu
Today the path climbs steeply out of Barranco Valley, crosses Karanga valley and turns North to Barafu Hut (4 600m), approx. 7-8 hours walking. This is an acclimatization day, as you ascend up sections of screen and rock, then down into valleys - a hard day of walking at relatively high altitude. You will be able to rest up at Barafu, acclimatizing and gathering strength for the summit. You will be walking through the cloud. After supper, drink as much tea as possible and settle down for an early night. Overnight camping at Barafu Camp (LDBB)

Day 5 Mweka
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 manage, carry 3 liters of fluid with you today. You will be woken at about 00h30 or 01h00 with tea and a biscuit. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent to Stella Point. You will be climbing up screen for approximately 4-5 hours. The guide will stop frequently to rest and check on his group. The views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance. You arrive at Stella Point (5 750 m), just at the top of the crater, have a rest - the sun should be shining! From here continue on a relatively easy path up to Uhuru peak (5 895 m), the highest point in Africa. SUMMIT DAY!!!

You will descend from Stella to Barafu. Depending on the timing of your summit, you will be able to have a short rest here (maybe a sleep) and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route, which has recently re-opened after extensive re-furbishing being done by National Parks. You will travel down quickly on the screen taking in more oxygen, step by step. This is a long descent! Arrival Mweka (3 100 m), late afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping. Time to reflect on the day's achievements. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp (LDBB)

Day 6 Moshi
A three to four hour pretty descent through the rainforest to the Park Gate, where the vehicle will meet you. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the hotel (approximately 45 minutes drive) ready for an evening of celebration by the swimming pool. Your certificates are generally handed out by the guides, either at the gate or on occasion they may join you for a celebratory drink at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Ameg lodge (DBB)

Day 7 Departure
Breakfast at your hotel. Depending with the mode of transfer and time, you will be picked from your hotel and transfer to your respective destinations.

The Package Includes:
2 Nights at Ameg Lodge
1 Night at Bivouac No 1- Umbwe Caves Camp site
2 Nights at Barranco camping
1 Night at Mweka Hut

The Package Excludes:
All International Flights + Taxes
Visas
Travel & Personal accident insurance
Tips & personal expenses such as telephone calls...etc.
Excursions not detailed in above program

Added Value:
Complimentary 188 page VA Safari Guide covering the whole of East Africa
Complimentary VA Safari Pouch with a pen
Complimentary VA Hat

Health Requirements
All climbers MUST be in top physical condition, as this is a rigorous physical climb requiring strength and endurance. Please note you will need a Yellow Fever Inoculation, this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure. If you have had any previous history of Liver Disorders you must consult your physician first. Malaria prophylactics are a must.

Tips
These are considered to be compulsory for all attempting Kilimanjaro, it has become a tradition! Please budget at least USD100 for this ten-day camping hike - per guest - which gets split across the group. Old clothing is also appreciated!

Travel Insurance
Please ensure you have sufficient Medical Cover for the duration of your trip and in particular to cover you while doing the Kilimanjaro Climb.