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: +255 732 973893 / +255 7555 49872 / + 255 686 952 599 (Call/WhatsApp)

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

Testimonials

Amazing experience!

We found Chief Tours while researching our Lemosho trek up Kilimanjaro. While training at home, my wife experienced an injury and we were not able to continue with the trek. However, Adidas was kind enough to transfer our deposit to a 5-day safari tour and we are so glad we did! It was an experience of a lifetime. Our driver, Shirima, was incredibly knowledgeable, went above and beyond to show us the best of the parks, and was just a genuinely nice guy! The only thing as wonderful as the safari experience was getting to know Shirima!

The safari itself took us through 4 parks, each unique in their own way. We saw countless animals and seeing them in their natural habitat was surreal. Shirima was able to spot things we couldn't possibly have seen. (Lions, elephants, wildebeest, buffalo, cheetahs, zebra, giraffes, baboons, and we were lucky to see 5 of the hard to spot leopards!)

We were lucky enough to be in the Serengeti as the 'great migration' of wildebeests were taking place! It was amazing to see hundreds of thousands of them stampede together in herds through the plains. Truly amazing nature.

The accommodations were comfortable, clean, safe, and to stay within the Serengeti was an experience in itself with all the amazing sounds you hear at night! The food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was delicious and also plenty of food!

We compared prices for both the trek and safaris with many other tour companies and Chief Tours was always the better price by a significant amount.

Our experience with Chief Tours from beginning to end was a wonderful, professional, safe and inspirational one. We highly recommend Adidas and his team for your trekking or safari needs!

Michael Scotland

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, CHIEF'S TOURS!

My brother, sister and I came to Tanzania with a goal in mind - to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with very little preparation. We did some research on several companies before our arrival, and as well with a very encouraging recommendation from a friend we decided to go with Chief's Tours.

They were very accommodating in every way; from arrival into the country, persistent contact with the airport when our luggage didn't arrive with us, allowing us to hire any gear we were missing and of course - the impossible feat of getting us to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa! We did the Lemosho route in 7 days/6 nights with another Aussie, our two guides, Nicholas and Mohamed and a team of 12 including a chef, waiter, and porters! We did not expect the hot meals, hot tubs of water to wash, and the incredible porters that rushed to the next campsite to ensure excellent camping spots!! Our families made contact with the company during the trek, and Adidas was kind enough to send regular reports on our progress!

We were so impressed with the company that we decided to do a 4 day/3 night safari with them - Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, and Ngorongoro crater and conservation area. Our guides, Dhili and Shirima, and our chef Hamisi made this trip very enjoyable and a relaxing change of pace after the trek. We saw all of the Big 5, and were very well fed and hydrated with water and even beers!

No question would go unanswered prior to the trips as Adidas and his team wanted to ensure you are as prepared as you can be. Adidas and his team are very well respected in Moshi town, as they support the local community and look after their employees well! Anyone you talk to in town talks very highly of them! We would happily recommend this company to all our friends and families who are interested in traveling to Tanzania.

Ann & RosemaryChicago, 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

Without Chief's Tour Supporting team, it was impossible for me to get to the top of Kilimanjaro. Because it was physically and mentally challenging, everyone tried to take care of me as I was the only women in the group full of big men. From the first moment meeting Adidas and the team in town, I already had a very good impression and feeling about the memorable trip.
Thank you so much, the main guide Msafiri for your nice care as a father to daughter, the assistant guide Heaven for his great patience and encouragement, the chef Jay for his tasty food, the porter Godfrey for saving my life when I got serious altitude sickness, and the other porters for their positivity and energy in spite of their extremely hard job!
The mountain not only brought us an unforgettable experience, it also gave me good friendships and more motivation to come back to Tanzania where I left a big part of my heart.
Travel with Chief's Tours and you'll understand why the company and Adidas himself are well respected by local residents thanks to their contribution to local community. I wish you all the best: best health, best luck and best spirit!

From Vietnam with love

Co Mi Vietnam

An ethically credible company, with the friendliest and best staff!

My sister and I summitted Kilimanjaro thanks to Adidas and all of the Chiefs Tours crew. We had the trip of a lifetime! We both arrived from different countries on different days and Adidas made sure that the logistics were all taken care of and our arrivals and transfers were seamless.

As for Kilimanjaro, we couldn't have been happier with the experience and the team that we had. We took the Lemosho Route and summited a day early, reducing the climb from 7 days to 6, as we did not suffer from altitude sickness and were ready to go a day ahead of schedule. We organized a day trip to Arusha Hot Springs through Chiefs Tours for the extra day then returned to Moshi, all were so lovely.

I would definitely recommend Chiefs Tours to anyone considering Kilimanjaro, our guides (Msafiri and Heaven) and our entire team (particularly Juma) were amazing. They made sure all of our needs and interests were met at every step of the way, with massive smiles! Also, we really noted and liked that they all were wearing appropriate and proper gear and equipment for the climb which many other porters were not.

Adidas is running an ethically credible company, with the friendliest and best staff. Asante sana!

OleksandrKiev, Ukraine

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