|
2007 dates: 29 June to 7 July, 10 to 18 August, 13 to 21 October
2008 dates: January 31 to 8 February, 27 June to 5 July, 8 to 16 August, 11 to 19 October
Departures for private groups can be arranged anytime from mid December to March & June to mid October
Grade & trek days:
Strenuous expedition (grade 5), 6 trek days
Number of days:
9 days
Accommodation:
3 nights hotel, 5 nights camping
Trip cost '07:
Land only: £650 plus local payment for National Park fees USD$635
Online quotation for trekking insurance
Information on booking international flights
The Umbwe and Western breach route is described in the trekking guidebook as, "easily one of the best experiences of a lifetime. It is breathtaking, wild, rough, and extremely steep." It is the most direct route to the summit but there is only a few scrambling moves and nothing too serious (ask Roland for advice as he climbed this route in 2000).
The summit day starts early, usually around 1am, the first section is on scree which leads up to the solid rock of the western breach wall. Once above this the summit glaciers become visible and from here the summit is several hours away. On reaching the top the summit shots are taken and register signed, and after relaxing and taking in the views we begin our rapid descent.
The Umbwe route is graded as a strenuous expedition (grade 5) with several tough days including a long summit day. The first day one climbs from 1400m to 3000m through the rainforest and the summit day takes at least 14 hours walking at high altitude.
If you would like more information click here to download the Trip Dossier .
OUTLINE ITINERARY
- Day 1 Arrive at Kilimanjaro International airport
- Day 2 Rest day for preparation, sorting equipment and briefing
- Day 3 Drive to Umbwe village (1,400m), trek to through tropical forest to our campsite by the Umbwe caves (3,000m)
- Day 4 Trek to our campsite near the Barranco hut (3,900m) passing through sub tropical and montane forest
- Day 5 Acclimatisation day to explore the Barranco chasm for good views of the southern glaciers
- Day 6 Trek to the campsite by the Arrow Glacier hut (4,900m)
- Day 7 Summit day via the western breach, descend to via the Barafu hut to campsite near the New Millenium hut
- Day 8 Descend via the Mweka route to Mweka village, drive back to the hotel
- Day 9 Fly back home
Recommended books & maps:
Kilimanjaro
Take a look at our other Kilimanjaro climb:
Kilimanjaro Machame route
|
