KILIMANJARO TREKKING UMBWE ROUTE AND EASY LODGE SAFARI

Trip Code: TTKSA26

2 to 6 People as a group

Climb Kilimanjaro through one of the most beautiful routes – The Umbwe Route. For complete groups, you can start climbing any day. We pick you up at the airport and you already have 3 nights in the city Hotel included in the price – before and after climbing Kilimanjaro. Depending on when you reach Moshi, it may make sense to include a rest day before the descent.

Kilimanjaro: “Wide as the whole world, great, high and snow-white” wrote Hemingway in his book: “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”. Experience the Nature of a special kind, climbing the highest snow-capped mountain in Africa. Kilimanjaro has an area of ​​approximately 60 km x 40 km and is one of the largest free-standing mountains on the planet. Special mountaineering skills are not required; you do need to be fit. Then you too can fulfill this dream: to have conquered the highest mountain in Africa, the Kilimanjaro at 5,895m and to be able to enjoy a breathtaking, unforgettable view full of emotionality and physical limits.

A wide variety of climate zones, from the tropical rain forest to glaciated summit regions, also offer hikers a special experience. The UMBWE ROUTE: The Umbwe Route is the most difficult and spectacular route to the roof of Africa. The classic Umbwe route goes via Western Breach to Uhuru Peak. It is therefore the shortest route to the summit. The distances are short but steep and relatively difficult. This route is suitable for practiced, experienced and fit mountain hikers. The alternative route we offer you goes through “Southern Circuit” like the Machame Route via Barranco and Barafu Camps. One reaches the summit at sunrise after a strenuous climb that starts at midnight from the last camp in Barafu. The Mweka route is used for the descent.

Tanzania Safari: Enchanting landscapes, the snow-covered Kilimanjaro and the almost indescribable magnificence of an abundance of animals, inspire every visitor again and again. Whether you are admiring the colorful birdlife in Lake Manyara, or you are watching the Kings of wild animals at the bottom of Ngorongoro Crater- the Lions, or gazing at the concert of thousands of colorful flamingos, there are great spectacles in all kinds of different situations everywhere. Experience the most diverse animal worlds in the national parks. This is where you will most likely encounter The Big Five.

Accommodation thoughts: This tour is designed for individuals who would like to go on safari individually with their families and friends. The overnights will take place in carefully chosen midrange beautiful hotels/lodges/tented camps. With the experience of 25 years, we were always in a position to combine enough opinions of ourselves and those of our Guests, who did book with us.  These are our basic choices, but off course everyone with an ambition to travel to Tanzania, can suggest to us the accommodation preferred. We will then consider the wish and put the suggested hotels on the offer we make.

 Day 1: Kilimanjaro – Moshi

You are already in Moshi or you are landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport today. You will be picked up and driven to your hotel. The hotel is located in Moshi with a magnificent view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Relax at the swimming pool after the long flight. Overnight at Parkview Inn Hotel (B)

Day 2: Moshi – Umbwe Gate – Umbwe Camp (2,950m)

Take your Breakfast in the hotel. The Guide will come to you to get you deeper Information about upcoming Kilimanjaro trekking via Umbwe route. You can leave the luggage you don’t need on the mountain at the hotel. Transfer to Umbwe Gate (1650m). The hike past fascinating landscape on the first day leads to the 2,950 m high Umbwe Camp. The route is relatively short due to the steep ascent, but the scenery is very beautiful. You will reach Umbwe Camp (2950m) after 5-6 hours (B, L, D)

Day 3: Umbwe Camp – Barranco Camp (3,950m)

After a short distance from Umbwe Camp the forest ends. The path is now narrower and steeper, the vegetation is bare. You come to a moor landscape and an open area with giant Seneca and lobelia. You hike down slightly and reach your campsite at Barranco Camp at 3,960 m. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (3,950)

The path leads over the Barranco rock face, also known as the “Breakfast Wall”. The ascent is steep and leads over a rock step to about 4300 m. It offers a breathtaking view of Kibo. The route now leads back down to the lower Karanga Camp at 3,950 m (“Climb High, Sleep Low”). After about 4-5 hours you will reach Karanga Camp. We recommend an overnight stay at this camp for acclimatization, especially if you are not a professional mountaineer, to avoid altitude sickness. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

Because Barafu is only about 4 hours away, you can start the day more relaxed. The Karanga Valley offers a view of the mighty ice slopes of the Terrace and Rebmann Glacier. You hike through “Karanga Valley” towards Barafu. The vegetation becomes sparser again with increasing altitude and the hardy immortelle and stubborn yellow-flowering shrubs soon disappeared. The view of Mawenzi (5100m) is spectacular. You will reach Barafu Hut (4600m) where you will stay overnight after dinner (B, L, D)

Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Set out around midnight to reach the summit before sunrise. Eat only light food (some biscuits and tea) so as not to unnecessarily burden the body. You continue hiking through Stella Point (5745 m) and after about 6 hours you reach the highest point in Africa – UHURU PEAK – at 5,895 m. The descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) should be enough for the day (approx. 6 hours). Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp (B, L, D)

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha

The descent to Mweka Gate is now much easier. You walk through the densely overgrown rainforest. Here you will receive your well-deserved summit certificate, say goodbye to the Kili team and then you will be driven to your Lodge in Arusha (about 45 minutes).  Only 4 km from Arusha – center away is the Karama Lodge in the upper forests of the Suye – Hills. Enjoy a tranquil setting with great views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and the Maasai Steppe. Overnight at Karama Lodge (PL, B)

 Day 8: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

After breakfast drive to Tarangire National Park for wildlife viewing. The name came from its river, which meanders through the entire park. The Tarangire National Park is very famous and special for its diverse landscape and vegetation zones. While you drive north through a rolling hilly landscape in which the huge baobab trees have developed a mighty population, you continue through a dry savannah with umbrella acacias. Also impressive are the candelabra trees, a cactus-like milkweed plant whose “candles” fan out into the sky. The river attracts a lot of diverse animals and you should be able to spot a lot of elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes and zebras. Elephants moving toward the water take on a dreamlike quality as they shift in and out of focus in the distance. Moving closer, you watch as they plunge into the water to drink and bathe. Their sense of enjoyment is almost palpable as they splash water over their huge bodies, slurp up great trunks to drink, and watch the youngsters cavorting in the shallows. Continue to a small lodge with good food, beautiful garden and family atmosphere. Each cozy room has mosquito-netted king or twin beds, dressing area, a fireplace, large bathroom with shower and a veranda from which to enjoy the views of our lush tropical gardens. The Swimming pool is just a few steps away. Overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (B, PL, D)

Day 9: Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater

Early in the morning drive through the fertile and densely populated Ngorongoro highlands, where several german farms were established during the colony period. Descend into the Crater in a safari vehicle for a spectacular game drive. In between take your picnic lunch at the hippo pool. With a size of 16 x 20 km, the crater is one of the largest non-flooded craters in the world. The crater slopes are mostly forested, while wide grassy areas dominate the crater floor almost 600-700 m below. A small lake is in the crater and attracts large numbers of flamingos making a magnificent spectacle to watch. The crater is home to almost all East African big game animals in large concentrations. This long-extinct volcano is the world’s largest intact caldera and its walls contain an incredible array of habitats, which in turn support an astonishing population of game. It is therefore correctly called the animal paradise and it is as well a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the exception of giraffes, which cannot climb the steep rims of the crater, every animal that is famous in East Africa is represented here: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, flamingos, hippos, etc. Depending on the season 15,000 – 30,000 animals cavort here. Exiting the crater on a different ascent road, you will drive to Karatu to your Lodge for dinner. Overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (B, PL, D)

 Day 10: Ngorongoro – Lake Manyara – Arusha

Early morning drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Go for a Game drive in the park with picnic lunch. This small but important park is incredibly diverse in habitat, making it a home for a great variety of species and famous for its tree-climbing lions. Within the park there is a groundwater forest with 30 different tree species and a wide variety of soil plants, which ensure a tropical atmosphere and prevent the area from drying out. About 20 to 30 tree lions, some leopards and monkeys of different species live in the park. Giraffes, impalas, wildebeests, zebras, hippos and large herds of buffalo predominate there. The birdlife on the lake is spectacularly prolific and sometimes huge flocks of flamingos turn the shores pink with their plumage. Leaving Lake Manyara National Park in a distance, wend your way back to Arusha to spend the night under the soaring peak of Mount Meru. Clean-lined and contemporary, Karama Lodge is the perfect place to unwind after your exciting Safari tour. Here you can relax, dine out in Arusha, or simply enjoy a sundowner by the pool. Overnight at Karama Lodge (B, PL)

 Day 11: Arusha – Airport

Take your Breakfast at the lodge. Transfer to the airport, take the flight to your hometown or proceed with your individual program. We are pleased to have had you in Tanzania