Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route via Western Breach (6 Days)

From $1920

Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Max People

Min Age

Tour Details

The Umbwevia Western Breach Route is referred as Extreme Route due to its relatively extreme nature. Umbwe route starts off from the east of the mountain. It goes through a very steep terrain! For that reason, there are generally less people than all the other routes – if climbers do not acclimatize well they will not be allowed to attempt the breach and will take the route via Barafu and Stella Point instead! So, participants should be fully aware of the level of exertion and danger before booking this trip – exactly what some rare visitors are looking for!

Highlights

Trailhead: Marangu Gate
Trip Type: High-altitude trekking
Total Route Length: 64 km (40 miles)
Travel Style and Conditions: Wooden Huts
Fully catered camping only
Physical rating: Demanding

Tour Map

LET'S Trip

TOGETHER

Tour plan

Includes | Excludes

Photos

Expand All

Day 1 Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up from the Airport (JRO) and transferred to your hotel in Moshi, where you will meet your mountain guide and office representative for meet & greetings followed by your pre trek briefing and kit check. This day, our team will be answering any question about your upcoming adventure to make sure everyone is ready to go!

Day 2 Umbwe Gate (1,800m)– Umbwe Cave

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Umbwe gate to kick off Day 1 of your 6 day adventure on Kilimanjaro. After a drive through farmland and plantations we reach the Umbwe Gate on the south-eastern side of Kilimanjaro. We will climb steadily through the forests through a steep, and sometimes muddy and slippery terrain, enjoying our packed lunch on the way before reaching Umbwe cave (2880m). Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying your main bag.Night Camp: Umbwe Cave (2,880m/ 9,449 ft).

Altitude Change: ↑1,080 m/ 3,543 ft
Trekking Distance/ Time: 12 km/ 7.4 miles (6-7hr)

Day 3 Umbwe Cave (2,880m) – BarrancoCamp

Today we ascend from the forest zone into the heath zone walking through some very steep sections. Keeping a slow pace is very essential to give time for your body to acclimatize. A picnic lunch is taken midday and then in the afternoon we arrive at Barranco camp in time to relax for a while before dinner. The views of the Barranco wall and Western Breach pertain to events some 60,000 years ago when this whole part of the mountain collapsed! Night Camp: BarrancoCamp (3,960m/ 12,992 ft)

Altitude Change: ↑1,080 m/ 3,543 ft
Trekking Distance/ Time: 7 km/ 4.3 miles (5-6hr)

Day 4 Barranco Camp (3,960 m) to Lava Tower

After breakfast at Barranco Camp, we embark on a slightly shorter day’s trek to our next camp at Lava Tower, gaining about 700m in elevation. We proceed trekking gently with far-reaching panoramic views, walking on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the western breach until we reach our camp at the Lava Tower (4640m). In the afternoon there is a more strenuous acclimatization walk on the rocky slopes of the western breach, with superb views of hanging glaciers at Arrow Glacier (4830m). Later we hope to enjoy the fabulous sunset from our campsite. Night Camp: Lava Tower Camp (4,640 m/ 15,223 ft)

Altitude Change: ↑680 m/ 2,231ft
Trekking Distance/ Time: 4 km/ 2.5 miles (4hr)

Day 5 Lava Tower (4,640m) ->>Arrow Glacier Camp

Early morning after breakfast we climb the slope behind the hut, through cliffs of rock forming the arrow glacier. The ascent to Arrow Glacier is relatively short and leaves plenty of time to rest for a large part of the day. Short walks are possible with the guides to enjoy views of the Great Barranco and remnants of the once mighty glaciers that filled the breach. Night Camp: Arrow Glacier Camp (4,872m/ 15,984 ft)

Altitude Change: ↑232 m/ 761ft
Trekking Distance/ Time: 4 km/ 2.5 miles (4-5hr)

Day 6 Arrow Glacier 4,872m to UHURU PEAK via Crater Camp Furtwangler Glacier ->> and then descent to Millennium Camp

Today we make our ascent to the summit at 5895m (19,365 feet amsl). It is a strenuous and long day, particularly with the high altitude and extreme cold, so we plan to make a midnight start. At this time, the snow and scree are still frozen and we aim to be down before the top layer of scree becomes wet and slippery. Our path zigzags up the snow and after passing Crater Camp Furtwangler Glacier (5700m/ 18,700 ft), we keep on going! Although at times you may be able to walk for only 10 paces before you have to stop and rest, there is no doubt that it is all worth it when you reach the top. From there, we continue with a slow but steady pace to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5895m. Then we descend, down the scree to Barafu Camp for a rest and hot lunch before heading further down to the Millennium camp. Night Camp: Millennium Camp (3,790m/ 12,234 ft).

Altitude Change: ↑1,023 m/ 3,356ft
Trekking Distance/ Time: 8km/ 4.2 miles (4-5hr)to UHURU Peak & then Descent 10 km/ 6.2 miles
Altitude Change: ↓2,105 m/ 6,906ft
Total Walking Distance (Ascent & Descent): 16.8 km/ 10.4 miles

Day 7 Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi

Our final descent start with a nice breakfast followed by tipping ceremony; thenwe continue trekking for about 5 hours to make around 2,100 meters descent back to Mweka gate (1,680m/ 5,512 ft). Lunch will be served either at Mweka gate or at your hotel in Moshi. We take the vehicle transfer back to our Lodge in Moshi for a well-deserved hot shower or cool soak in the pool! This evening, we meet as a group to contemplate our achievements with aGreat Dinner at the Lodge.

Altitude Change: ↓2,110 m/ 6,922 ft
Trekking Distance/ Time: 13 km/ 8 miles (5-6hr)

Day 8 Depart Tanzania

After breakfast there may be some free time to relax at the lodge or go shopping in Moshi and then leave your hotel for your transfer to the airport to catch your departure flight

Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

Conservation Fees, Camping fees & Rescue fees
All government taxes
Camping equipment: =>Terra Nova/ Vaude/Northland mountain tents, =>Vaude double layer Sleeping mats/ Trek & Hide Foam mattress

Airport transfers – JRO to Moshi, 2 ways
Transport to and from the Kilimanjaro National Park
Guide, assistant guides, porters Meals + mountain chef while on the mountain

Water throughout the trek
Hotel Accommodation: =>2 Nights in the Hotel – i.e. Pre & Post climb hotel accommodation in Moshi; on half board basis

VHF ICOM Radio Communication
Portable Oxygen tank (1.8L canister).
Pulse Oximeter – for monitoring your body performance while on the high altitude
Fair wages paid to our mountain crew (porters, cook and guides) as part of our responsibility to the Community and Fair Treatmentof our mountain Crew – our practices conform with our partners in responsible travel including Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Porters Association (KPA) as well as Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)

Sleeping bag
Snacks, personal hygiene kit and personal medication
Extra acclimatization day – An extra day can be added while on the mountain and each extra day costs extra US$ 220 per person and this amount will be paid at our main office after the climb.
Water purification tabs
Portable manual flush toilet (except for the Marangu route) – available for hire for extra $150 per toilet tent
Personal mountain clothing & trekking gear – some of the kit is available for hire in Moshi
Flights and Tanzania entry visa
Health requirements (Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended depending on your flight route on entering Tanzania; vaccination for Meningitis & Hepatitis A optional)
Optional Travel and medical insurance is but highly recommended

Gallery

Let Us Take Care of the Details

Emphasize the convenience and ease of booking with us

Book This Tour

Testmonial

What Our Clients Say About Us

Nour

2023-06-19

The most Joyful & Strategic Team This team is absolutely incredible. Apart from the 10/10 strategy and organisation they will go above and beyond to provide something money cannot buy. This team is about personalising every part of the journey to the needs of the group. They do everything with joy and their desire to share colorful experiences is genuine and evident. I cannot show enough gratitude for how much they made my time in Zanzibar special, they deserve all the flowers and more. I will definitely be coming back and if a trip to the east coast of Africa is on your list then this team is a MUST ! Asahnte Sana to Abel & the team and inshallah we meet again for another adventure !

dr_nikki_biggs

2023-06-19

Phenomenal Abel and his team looked after a group of us cycling around Zanzibar last week, raising money for HIPZ - Health Improvement Project Zanzibar. The whole team were incredible - personable, encouraging, consistently going above and beyond to make the experience the absolute trip of a lifetime. There were so many working parts to getting all 22 of us around the island safely whilst coordinating the safety, catering and support teams. Abel - you were incredible, thank you!

Krzysztof F

2020-03-01

Fantastic private safari in all North Tanzania parks We have arranged private safari with Trek&Hide Adventures. We visited all parks in North Region, totally within nine days. We have very much enjoyed our adventures on safari and would like to specially thank our driver Tuma for his efforts of finding us all interesting animals. He was very effective and very brave while driving, but we felt that our safety was his first target. Tuma's knowledge on animals and their habits was deep and he explained us all secrets of their life. He shown us as well very interesting facts from everydays life of Masai tribe and other ones, living in various areas. It was very nice to us getting familiar with Tuma and spending time together not only during game drives, but as well during dinners eaten together in Ang'ata lodges. We discussed on this day achievements and plans on the next day, or just were joking. We recommend Trek & Hide adventures for effective, nice, interesting and enjoyable safari.

Tina S

2020-01-07

Excellent professional Safari Planners with lots of attention to detail and insider knowledge We travelled as a group of friends (2 mothers, 3 teenagers) two weeks over Christmas 2019 with Trek & Hide Adventures. Abel, one of the owners of Trek & Hide developed a fabulous 6 day Safari agenda (incl 4 national parks, Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater) complemented by 5 days R&R on Zanzibar. Due to T&H´s fabulous hotel contacts, Abel was able to secure excellent lodges for us despite such short notice booking during holiday high season! Way to go! Being in the incoming travel industry in Germany myself I especially appreciated Abel´s professionalism and always immediate response to our inquiries from the onset in the planning phase. The Safari was organized flawlessly with lots of attention to detail, everything was taken care of and anticipated ahead of time. We travelled the many stops without any delays or issues along the way. Overnights, optional lunch boxes, special needs at the lodges were all managed smoothly by T&H office. Abel was in touch with our driver on a daily basis to anticipate changes we made along the way, which afforded utmost flexibility even for last minute changes in the daily agenda Our driver Joseph was amazing! Not only was he very professional, always kind and a true pleasure to be with, he was also extremely knowledgeable and experienced in regards to the wild life. He took us off the beaten tracks of the other jeeps, which afforded that we were able to experience many animals including all the big 5 within a short distance from our car! Joseph knew the behavior of the animals, anticipated their movements and made us linger when other jeeps just made a quick stop and kept going. This way we were able to witness 3 lions in action hunting a zebra starting out just 3 meters from us, had elephants almost putting their trunk into our car, had cheetas come so close they touched our jeep, among many more once in a lifetime experiences. Joseph was THE BEST!! He offered so much insight and interesting facts along with his great humor that even our teenagers stayed on board for the full 6 days, not even unpacking their mobile phones even once during Safari!! Having such an experienced driver-guide we felt totally safe and well taken care of throughout our travels through the wild life! Abel also organized all airport transfers, airport hotels and touring in Zanzibar for us. Again all ran smoothly. At Abel´s recommendation we also scheduled a fascinating spice tour, as well as an interesting tour of historic Stonetown once in Zanzibar. The local guide there was also very knowledgeable and professional. All in all it was an exceptional visit, Trek & Hide showed us the best Tansania and Zanzibar have to offer. Thank you so very much, we will come again for sure! Tina, Owner, Culture Trip Germany

Camper727358

2019-09-27

Amazing company to climb Kilimanjaro with Abel and his team were super helpful in putting together a very well planned trip for a group of 18 people (not easy). We took the Lemosho 7 day route in August, it was a really beautiful and surprisingly not crowded at all, especially the first 3 days. Our guide (Masada) and his team were truly amazing, their experience on managing schedules, gear, altitude sickness, etc was remarkable. The food was delicious, toilets clean, and everything set up by the time we got to camp. They kept the group always in a positive mood and honestly were really fun to hang out with. Highly recommended if you're looking to climb Kili!

Katrina

2019-02-17

Brilliant trip! Could not recommend Trek & Hide Adventures highly enough. Abel and his team are supremely professional, personable and excellent at what they do. We had an amazing safari incorporating Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, and then climbed Mount Meru. The trip was seamlessly organised, the food prepared by our own assigned cook was delicious, our driver was knowledgeable and patient... A trip of a lifetime! Thank you Abel and you team- I’d give 6 stars if I could!

Nomad38

2019-02-14

Great company, recently established - organised a fantastic tailored safari and hike for us Trek and Hide was only established recently but its management team is very experienced and we highly recommend it. Abel organised a superb trip for us that included 4 days (3 nights) safari to watch the migration in Ndutu, travel through the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Crater in an ideal Toyoto Landcruiser. The driver/guide and chef were both fantastic, and the trip was tailored to our interests and budget. We loved camping - including on the Ngorongoro crater rim, and watching the sunset and sunrise. We followed the safari with a climb up Mt Meru, and once more Abel had lined up a superb guide and good porters and we were able to keep the same chef. In addition he arranged for us to stay in a very nice hotel (the Mt Meru View Lodge), where one of our family stayed whilst the others climbed the mountain. We think that Abel and Trek and Hide are excellent and totally sussed out what would be ideal for us. [NB category is family with adult children - not on list below]

simoncNYC

2019-02-11

Fantastic company and unforgettable memories! Abel planned a wonderful adventure for my friends and I. The trek of Mt. Kilimanjaro was very organized and we didn't have to worry about anything except climbing. We also had a 3 day safari after the climb and that was magical. Everyone was professional and took good care of us. Abel is communicative and works with you to make sure you have everything you need. He even helped organize a surprise birthday celebration! I will definitely work with Abel and his team again for future visits to Tanzania!

Sherry R

2019-02-08

Professional and helpful Thanks to Abel and his crew from Trek & Hide Adventures I were able to climb Mount Meru! Not only did he organize my trip very last minute and was flexible and professional, but his crew was really helpful, friendly and caring during the whole 3-day-trip. And the food was really amazing: fresh, warm and delicious. I can really recommend his tour agency. As for the mountain climbing itself: I would only recommend the 3-day-hike if you are trained and know how your body reacts to high altitude. If you only have three days, you walk from the first hut to saddle hut (4hours) and continue to the summit and back to saddle hut. (10hours). Yet, is worth the climb because of the very beautiful nature, the possibility to see lots of animals and the amazing views! Thanks a lot again, Abel!

KAW

2019-01-20

Trek & Hide gave us an experience of a lifetime! Abel and his team took phenomenal care of my group as we climbed Kilimanjaro and had a 3 day safari. Our guides, drivers, porters and team were incredible, caring people that made our journey more than just a vacation. I couldn't recommend this company more for planning Kili climbs or intimate safari adventures in Tanzania. They handled everything - accommodations, food and even provided invaluable support when we had some unexpected changes in travel.