Umbwe Route (6-8 days)

The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Together with the fact that the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be difficult, taxing route - one that should only be attempted by strong hikers and experienced adventurers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.

Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Chief's Tours is happy to offer you the chance to get to the roof of Africa via Umbwe route from 6 to 8-day tours. Please kindly find detailed programs and prices for each option in the following links and feel free to take a look at CHIEF'S TOURS HAPPY GALLERY.

Below is a sample for a 6-day climb. Please note that the difference between the 6-day and 7-day climb is the additional acclimatization day at Barranco camp. THE MORE YOU SPEND TIME FOR ACCLIMATIZATION, THE HIGHER CHANCE YOU GET TO SUMMIT UHURU PEAK.

CHIEF'S TOUR UMBWE ROUTE KILIMANJARO - ITINERARY & PRICE

ITINERARY

DAY 1: UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP

After breakfast, you will be driven from Moshi town to the Machame gate where registration formalities will be completed and where you will enjoy your first hot lunch. From the Machame gate, you will be transferred to the Umbwe Gate (1641m), passing through the lush villages greened with coffee and banana plantations. When you start your hiking, the air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rainforest. 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 even glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. Your final point for the first day is Umbwe Cave Camp surrounded by huge trees where you will spend the first night in nature.

Elevation: 1614m to 2850m
Hiking time: 5-6 Hours
Distance: Approximately 10.3 km
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Lunch - Dinner

DAY 2: UMBWE CAVE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

Shortly after you leave Umbwe Cave 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 with a stunning background of the blue sky. The path later flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge, the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated where you spend the second night is right in the valley below the legendary Barranco Wall which surely gives you a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.

Elevation: 2850m to 3985m
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.3 km
Habitat: Moorland
Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall, you will make your way passing this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. But don't worry! Chiefs' Tours Porters will bring boiled purified water for you during your whole journey! You will enjoy dinner and overnight at the Karanga camp.

Elevation: 3850m to 4040m
Hiking time: 6- 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Habitat: Moorland / Semi-desert
Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

After breakfast, you will start your 4th day by turning left up the ridge and the route ascends 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Please make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.

The holy summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing, it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed as early as possible and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Elevation: 4040m to 4681m
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.4km
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK - DOWN TO MWEKA CAMP
Around 11:30 pm, you will get up for some hot tea and biscuits before you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For most of the climbers, the unforgettable walk to Stella point is the most mentally and physically challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.

From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather and your conditions but do not stop here for too long, as it will be perhaps more difficult to get down!

After that, you will try to descend to Baranfu camp as soon as possible to treat yourself a well-deserved hot lunch and collect all of your luggage before the final descent. You then head down to Mweka Camp (3090m) where the route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the rainforest. At Mweka Camp, you will surely enjoy one of the best sleep ever in your life!

Elevation: 4681m to 5985m down to 3090m
Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6-8 hours to Mweka Camp
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

After the last breakfast on the mountain, it will take you 4 to 6 hour doing a scenic hike back to the Mweka gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems which could make the descend longer than planned. So don't forget your walking poles! At Mweka gate, you will sign your name and details in a registration form. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. Here you are strongly encouraged to give appropriate tips to your Mountain Supporting Team after all of their hard effort to guide you to the top of Africa. From the Mweka Gate, you will be driven down into the Mweka village where you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! After lunch, you drive be to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

Elevation: 3090m to 1641m
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
Meal: Breakfast - Lunch

PRICE OF 2018

To meet a significant number of climbers’ demand, we are happy to provide you with a wide range of Kilimanjaro tours divided into 03 types: Budget – Standard – Luxury. Below is the price of Standard offers. For Budget and Luxury options, kindly contact us. Asante sana!

Route	1 person	2 people	3 people	4-5 people	6-8 people	9+ people
Marangu Route 5 days	$ 1350	$1250	$ 1180	$1150	$ 1140	$ 1120
Marangu Route 6 days	$ 1510	$ 1450	$ 1400	$ 1380	$ 1340	$ 1350
Marangu Route 7 days	$ 1680	$ 1630	$ 1600	$ 1570	$ 1550	$ 1530
Rongai Route 6 days	$ 1690	$ 1650	$ 1620	$ 1590	$ 1580	$ 1570
Rongai Route 7 days	$ 1800	$ 1780	$ 1750	$ 1730	$ 1720	$ 1700
Rongai Route 8 days	$ 1920	$ 1890	$ 1860	$ 1830	$ 1820	$ 1800
Umbwe Route 6 days	$ 1800	$ 1770	$ 1740	$ 1710	$ 1700	$ 1670
Umbwe Route 7 days	$ 1850	$ 1830	$ 1800	$ 1770	$ 1750	$ 1740
Umbwe Route 8 days	$ 2000	$ 1970	$ 1940	$ 1910	$ 1900	$ 1880
Shira Route 6 days	$ 1690	$ 1670	$ 1630	$ 1600	$ 1590	$ 1570
Shira Route 7 days	$ 1800	$ 1770	$ 1730	$ 1700	$ 1690	$ 1680
Shira Route 8 days	$ 1920	$ 1890	$ 1860	$ 1830	$ 1820	$ 1800
Machame Route 6 days	$ 1690	$ 1670	$ 1630	$ 1600	$ 1590	$ 1570
Machame Route 7 days	$ 1780	$ 1750	$ 1720	$ 1690	$ 1680	$ 1660
Machame Route 8 days	$ 1920	$ 1890	$ 1860	$ 1830	$ 1820	$ 1800
Lemosho Route 6 days	$ 1690	$ 1660	$ 1630	$ 1600	$ 1590	$ 1570
Lemosho Route 7 days	$ 1800	$ 1770	$ 1740	$ 1710	$ 1700	$ 1670
Lemosho Route 8 days	$ 1920	$ 1890	$ 1860	$ 1830	$ 1820	$ 1800
Lemosho Route 9 days	$ 2100	$ 2070	$ 2040	$ 2100	$ 2000	$ 1980
Northern Circuit Route 7 days	$ 1690	$ 1660	$ 1630	$ 1600	$ 1580	$ 1570
Northern Circuit Route 8 days	$ 1920	$ 1890	$ 1860	$ 1830	$ 1820	$ 1800
Northern Circuit Route 9 days	$ 2100	$ 2070	$ 2040	$ 2010	$ 2000	$ 1940

Inclusion

Exclusion

2-night accommodation in Moshi town: before the first and the final hiking day
Arrival and departure airport transfers
High-quality 4-season camping equipment
Experienced and professional mountain guides
All park fees and rescue fees
All large-portioned, nutritious food and purified drinking water on the mountain
Guides, porters and cook salaries
Pulse Oximeter for daily health check
Crisis management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Beds (for luxury tours)

International Flights & Visa & Insurance
Tips to porters and guides (customary and much appreciated)
Meals while in Moshi town
Items considered to be non-essential, such as alcohol, beverages, cigarettes, snacks, etc.
Optional Tours (for example, short safaris after your climb or Moshi day tour, etc.)
Oxygen tanks (included in luxury tours - can be rented in budget and standard tour)
Portable toilets (included in standard & luxury tours - can be rented in budget tours)

Thank you for considering us. We look forward to guiding you to the holy mountain Kilimanjaro!

Contact: +255 7555 49872 / + 255 676 549872(Call/WhatsApp)

Email: info@chiefstours.com | Website: https://chiefstours.com/

Testimonials

Chief's Tours - Fantastic tour operator to climb Kilimanjaro

Recently myself and three others climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. It was something we had been planning to do for a while and had put a lot of research into. We decided to choose Chief's Tours as during correspondance, Adidas the owner of the company, could not have been more helpful.

I can wholeheartedly recommend him as a reputable local company. Adidas started as a porter on Kilimanjaro and has worked his way up to running his own company. As a local Tanzanian company, owned and managed by Adidas, all the money paid to him stays within Tanzania to the benefit of the local community. When we arrived Adidas picked us up at the bus station and brought us to our hotel. He then invited us to his home where his wife cooked us a delicious dinner, they both really made us feel welcome.

That initial evening with Adidas helped put our mind at ease as we were all a little nervous about the challenge that lay before us. Some of our group came without certain things that were required for the climb and Adidas was able to supply us with all the necessary equipment. Once we got on the mountain the whole team from guides to chefs to porters could not have been more professional.

The guides were very knowledgeable and took all precautions to ensure our safety on the mountain. The porters were all very helpful and kind, while the chef did an outstanding job. We were definitely never hungry or thirsty. Despite varying types of altitude sickness amongst our group, the team ensured that we all reached the summit. We even got to celebrate on top with a bottle of bubbly! While in Tanzania, we knew that we could not go home without doing a safari in the Serengeti.

Chief's Tours also offers a wide range of safaris and other tours so we decided that it made sense to do the climb and safari with the one company. Adidas offered us a fantastic deal yet still delivered a service of the highest quality. Here is the link of the website if you are thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro/doing a safari - http://www.chiefstours.com - I can guarantee you, you will not be disappointed. Thank you so much Adidas and all of your team for making our trip in Tanzania one of a lifetime.

Joan Ireland

We have recently come back from a holiday in Tanzania. Our father has been to visit Tanzania on many occasions and has had many trips organized by a local guide named Adidas who is the owner of the Chiefs tours. Adidas and Shiriwa (driver) took care of every little detail and were a well run professionally and friendly local buisness. Both Adidas and Shiriwa had an amazing range of local knowledge. Everything was planned exceptionally well from our trips.

The day before Adidas and Shiriwa came to meet us to talk about the plan for the next few days, we just told them all the trips that we wanted to do and they planned the rest. They asked us about food likes so they could make us a packed lunch for the trip. The following morning, they picked us up at 6:15 am to start our trip to Lake Manyara National Park. After Lake Manyara, we went to a campsite called Heaven Nature Safari Campsite and Lodge. This campsite was recommended by Adidas and we weren't disappointed. We were greatly welcomed by all staffs and the food was delicious. Adidas and Shiriwa sat up chatting with us that night, we talked about the differences in both our cultures.

The next morning we headed to Ngorongoro Crater where we saw all of the "big five". The road down to the crater was bit teeth clenching but Shiriwa is an excellent driver so put us at ease. After the Ngorongoro crater, we went to visit the Masai Village which was so impressive.

The final tour that we did was the coffee tour. It was just outsite of Moshi. Here we leant how coffee is handmade. We were even involved in making our own coffee and then sat down to drink it. The boys who taught us about how they make coffee were very enthusiastic and lovely. Throughout the trip with both Adidas and Shiriwa, nothing seemed to be a flaw Thank you for an excellent trip that we will never forget. I can't recommend Chief's Tours anymore.

Thank you so much!

Lorraine Coulter (Ireland)

Sarah O'Sullivan (England)

Sarah & LorraineEngland & Ireland

If you go with anyone else, you’re doing it wrong!

My wife and I, along with 8 friends, recently spent two weeks seeing Tanzania with Chief’s Tours. Adidas was there to greet us at 10:00 PM on a Saturday night when we got off the plane, and only stepped up the service from there. He arranged for a driver to pick us up the next morning and take us to relax with plenty of drinks and our own cook at some local hot springs, then gave us a thorough briefing and gear check before setting off the next day to climb Kilimanjaro on an 8-day trek of the Lemosho route.

The climb could not have been smoother. Our guides (Emmanuel, Emanuel 2, Mohammed, and Niklaus) were experienced, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to spend our eight days with. The staff of cooks and porters were equally professional. They took special care of my wife and me who have very specific dietary restrictions. Actually, they were much more accommodating of our diets than Delta/KLM was, and the food was outstanding! Ask Mateo to make you his lentil “Amaze-balls” (my term, not his). There was never a point on this trip where I felt the least bit hungry or unsatisfied. When it came time for our summit day, our lead guide, Emmanuel Washington, really put his 189 summits worth of experience on Kilimanjaro to good use. He told us exactly when to wake up, when we would get started, and how long our group would take it to make it to the rim at Stella Point by sunrise. He absolutely nailed it! We hit Stella Point just as the first rays of light hit the horizon and were rewarded with the most amazing sunrise I’ve ever seen. Emmanuel then took a camera from one of our group members and ran around (at 19,000 ft remember) taking photos of everyone in the group making their way along the rim the rest of the way to the summit!

Our guides were also accommodating when a couple other members of the group and I wanted to take a couple side trips along the way and climb Shira Cathedral and Lava Tower. They went above and beyond the whole time.

Following the climb, we went on a four-day safari. This was initially an issue because we needed to do laundry following our climb in order to have clothes for the safari and our hotel wasn’t going to be able to get it done in time. Another group member emailed Adidas hoping he’d know of a laundromat where we could take our clothes that evening. Instead, one of his employees came to our hotel within 30 minutes to get all of our laundries. It was dry cleaned and delivered to us at our first safari stop over five hours away the next morning!

The safari itself was incredible. Our driver, Arnold, knew right where to take us to see all of the animals. We had incredibly close encounters with elephants, lions, hippos, warthogs, giraffes, etc. He even got us within just a few feet of a pride of lions feeding on a wildebeest! Accommodations on the safari were the first-rate, especially considering that we went with the mid-tier option. I don’t know what’s included when you option up from mid-tier, but it would have to be pretty impressive to beat our experience.

We had a day in Moshi after our safari was over and figured we would just walk around and shop a bit. We went to breakfast and were then pleasantly surprised to see our mountain guide Emanuel waiting to greet us in the hotel lobby. He had come to walk with us around Moshi and make sure we made it to all of the best places. He even walked us to a small village of artists hidden within a park in the middle of the city where my wife and I got our favorite new painting. We would never have found that place on our own. Adidas then arrived to see us off to the airport in plenty of time for our flight back to the US.

Like I said before, if you’re going to Tanzania and not booking your activities through Chief’s Tours, you’re doing it wrong.

Daniel S.USA

I made an excellent decision by choosing to Climb Kilimanjaro with Chief Tours for the following four reasons:

First, in regards to "social responsibility" and the treatment of the crew (food and lodging), after spending 6 days climbing with Chief Tours, I can testify that Chief Tours meets or exceeds other tour operators.

Second, unlike many of the Kilimanjaro operators, Chief Tours is a Tanzanian company. Therefore, instead of losing a majority of the profit to a head office in Europe, America, or Australia, the profit goes toward developing the local community by way of better wages for Chief Tours employees.

Third, Octait (my guide) was exceptional. He knew all of the short-cuts and ensured that I was well rested and hydrated at all times.

Fourth, every day I was served a wide array of fresh and delicious foods. The foods included: Beef, Fish, Chicken, Mango, Pineapple, Avocado, Cassava, and many more.

I would definitely recommend Chief's Tours!

JackNew York, USA

From the first contact onward, the communication went really well. Chief Tours answered all our questions within less than one hour which was excellent as I have booked the tour with them short-notice and still had tons of questions.
We have been warmly welcomed in Moshi at the bus station by the owner and Ceo of Chief Tours, Adidas. He also took immediately care about one of our luggage which went missing in Nairobi.

His Team, especially Julius and Msafiri the two guides have so many experiences with guiding us slowly to the top of the mountain. Both of us made, it thanks to them.
The chef James was providing delicious meals out of his very simple kitchen every day. We could not stop eating and gained actually some weight at the mountain.
The waitress, as well as some porters, taught us some Swahili words which were really great.
If my friends or family would ask me for a recommendation, I definitely would recommend Chief Tours for the Kili hike. They will be in good hands.

Sabina S.England

Umbwe Route (6-8 days)

Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Chief's Tours is happy to offer you the chance to get to the roof of Africa via Umbwe route from 6 to 8-day tours. Please kindly find detailed programs and prices for each option in the following links and feel free to take a look at CHIEF'S TOURS HAPPY GALLERY.

Below is a sample for a 6-day climb. Please note that the difference between the 6-day and 7-day climb is the additional acclimatization day at Barranco camp. THE MORE YOU SPEND TIME FOR ACCLIMATIZATION, THE HIGHER CHANCE YOU GET TO SUMMIT UHURU PEAK.

CHIEF'S TOUR UMBWE ROUTE KILIMANJARO - ITINERARY & PRICE

ITINERARY

DAY 1: UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP

Elevation: 1614m to 2850m

Hiking time: 5-6 Hours

Distance: Approximately 10.3 km

Habitat: Rainforest

Meal: Lunch - Dinner

DAY 2: UMBWE CAVE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

Elevation: 2850m to 3985m

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Distance: Approximately 6.3 km

Habitat: Moorland

Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Elevation: 3850m to 4040m

Hiking time: 6- 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 6 km

Habitat: Moorland / Semi-desert

Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Elevation: 4040m to 4681m

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Distance: Approximately 3.4km

Habitat: Alpine desert

Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather and your conditions but do not stop here for too long, as it will be perhaps more difficult to get down!

Elevation: 4681m to 5985m down to 3090m

Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6-8 hours to Mweka Camp

Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Elevation: 3090m to 1641m

Hiking time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Forest

Distance: Approximately 8.5 km

Meal: Breakfast - Lunch

PRICE OF 2018

To meet a significant number of climbers’ demand, we are happy to provide you with a wide range of Kilimanjaro tours divided into 03 types: Budget – Standard – Luxury. Below is the price of Standard offers. For Budget and Luxury options, kindly contact us. Asante sana!

Inclusion

Exclusion