Umbwe Climb (Luxury)
7 Days
from
$3,775pp*
Highlights:
Tanzania
(Arusha)
Trip Start/End:
Arusha
/
Arusha
Experience a 6 day Kilimanjaro hike starting at Umbwe gate and ascending via Stella Point. Note that it joins the Machame route at Barranco valley, and hence has similar levels of people on trail as the Machame route thereon. There is a night time ascent to the summit and descent is via Mweka camp. This route is perfect for those looking for more of a challenge with fewer crowds. Climb highlights include: afromontane forest, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit, in addition to glaciers and the roof of Africa!
Luxury Specification: All of our luxury treks include a larger mess tent than the lightweight specification, backed chairs instead of stools, a larger client tent with a 3 inch foam mattress. A pillow and -18 Celcius rated sleeping bag with liner are also included. There is a private portable toilet. Evening meals have an additional course (entrée) and there is fresh pressed coffee available. All in all, highly recommended.
We have 3 camping specifications for our Kilimanjaro treks along with many different route options. Please speak to one of our Travel Consultants to choose the right route and comfort level for you.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Arusha
| - Transfer - Kilimanjaro Int'l Airport (JRO) - Vehicle/Guide
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance - Plane
| Shangazi House
Shangazi House (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Kilimanjaro
| - Safety Kit
- Umbwe Caves Hike
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (Included)
| Luxury Tent (B,L,D) |
- Day 3
- Kilimanjaro
| - Barranco Hike
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (Included)
| Luxury Tent (B,L,D) |
- Day 4
- Kilimanjaro
| - Karanga Hike
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (Included)
| Luxury Tent (B,L,D) |
- Day 5
- Kilimanjaro
| - Barafu Hike
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (Included)
| Luxury Tent (B,L,D) |
- Day 6
- Kilimanjaro
| - Summit / Mweka Hike
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (Included)
| Luxury Tent (B,L,D) |
- Day 7
- Kilimanjaro - Arusha
| - Final Descent & Transfer
- Day Room & Departure - SHANGAZI HOUSE
- Transfer - Kilimanjaro Int'l Airport (JRO) - Vehicle/Guide
| Depart
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Arusha
Shangazi House
Day 1: Arusha
Airport transfer between your Arusha hotel and Kilimanjaro International airport with private vehicle and english speaking driver.
In the unfortunate event of serious illness or injury, all travellers are covered by this “Flying Doctors” Insurance policy. This emergency evacuation insurance policy covers the cost of the evacuation flight back to Nairobi for treatment. This insurance policy however DOES NOT cover the cost of any medical treatment received.
Accommodation: Shangazi House Built along the foothills of Mount Meru in northern Tanzania, Shangazi House has 10 acres of gardens and woodland with views south and east across Maasailand. A ten-minute drive takes you up into Arusha National Park, the home to deep calderas and Colobus monkeys. The colonial-style main house and 4 outlying cottages provide not only great privacy and comfort, but also the luxury of the cooling breezes coming off the mountain.
Beginning Your Trek
Day 2: Kilimanjaro
Every excursion team is equipped with a fully operational safety kit. The kit includes a portable altitude chamber (on crater ascents), first aid kids, pulse oximeters, oxygen with regulator & mask, neck brace, mobile phone, satelite phone (on shira & crater), water filter, stethascope, portable stretcher, guest & crew AMS monitoring sheets.
Excursion guides and crews are specifically trained and instructed to ensure, wherever possible, that our guests can walk off the mountain, unaided, themselves. They are also trained extensively on monitoring systems and also management of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), and more advanced forms of mountain sickness such as HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema).
In the morning you are picked up at 8am from your hotel and drive to Machame gate to collect your permits. There is then an hour drive to the Umbwe gate where after checking in you set off up through the forest zone. This first day of hiking is not overly difficult but certainly steepens towards the latter end of the day. In the late afternoon you arrive in the first camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Luxury Tent (B,L,D) An overnight camp area will be set up in a clearing on the trail. Clients will be provided with:
Client Tent: a luxury 3-person "pup" tent used for 2 people (singles will use a 2-person tent), a 3" mattress, pillow, -18 Celcius rated sleeping bag, and thermal liner. The 3-person tent is 54" high, 106" front to back, 99" across. Floor area: 65 sq. ft.
Mess Tent: communal walk-in mess tent, lightweight table and backed chairs.
Other: lavatory tent.
Cooks will be on site to provide meals.
Barranco Trail
Day 3: Kilimanjaro
The second day ascends from the forest zone into the heath zone and there are some very steep sections here. Taking it easy is essential to allow your body to acclimatise. A picnic lunch is taken on route and then in the afternoon you arrive into 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.
Accommodation: Luxury Tent (B,L,D) Day 4: Kilimanjaro
From Barranco camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Dendrosenecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.
Accommodation: Luxury Tent (B,L,D) 
Approaching Mawenzi Peak
Day 5: Kilimanjaro
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.
Accommodation: Luxury Tent (B,L,D) Day 6: Kilimanjaro
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka Camp before dusk.
Accommodation: Luxury Tent (B,L,D) Day 7: Kilimanjaro - Arusha
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your accommodation.
You'll have access to a day room prior to your international departure. Clean up from the road, take a nap, use as the room as a base while you explore, or simply relax before checking out at 6pm and heading on to check into your international flight home.
Airport transfer between your Arusha hotel and Kilimanjaro International airport with private vehicle and english speaking driver.
Accommodation: Depart Depart from Kilimanjaro international airport - end of itinerary.
Accommodations
- Shangazi House
Shangazi House - Arusha
Built along the foothills of Mount Meru in northern Tanzania, Shangazi House has 10 acres of gardens and woodland with views south and east across Maasailand. A ten-minute drive takes you up into Arusha National Park, the home to deep calderas and Colobus monkeys. The colonial-style main house and 4 outlying cottages provide not only great privacy and comfort, but also the luxury of the cooling breezes coming off the mountain.
Luxury Tent (B,L,D)
An overnight camp area will be set up in a clearing on the trail. Clients will be provided with:
Client Tent: a luxury 3-person "pup" tent used for 2 people (singles will use a 2-person tent), a 3" mattress, pillow, -18 Celcius rated sleeping bag, and thermal liner. The 3-person tent is 54" high, 106" front to back, 99" across. Floor area: 65 sq. ft.
Mess Tent: communal walk-in mess tent, lightweight table and backed chairs.
Other: lavatory tent.
Cooks will be on site to provide meals.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Tanzania
VISA/PASSPORT
Passport valid for at least six months, visa and evidence of yellow fever immunization are required for both US and Canadian citizens. Visa may be purchased on arrival at the airport. Single entry visa is $50 per person ($100pp for US citizens), payable in cash (no credit cards). Visas may also be obtained in advance through a visa service. Processing generally takes 5 working days and costs approximately $75.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the embassy of Tanzania for the most up to date visa information.
NOTE: Only newly printed USD currency and local currency will be accepted in East Africa, any USD currency printed without the new security measures will not be accepted.
HEALTH
Health insurance is essential. Guests of Kensington Tours are covered by East African Flying Doctor Services included in the tour price. This coverage guarantees that any member injured or ill while on safari will be airlifted back to Nairobi to the international hospital.
We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/tanzania.aspx
A yellow fever shot is NOT required for visitors from US/Canada/UK/EU direct, however if you are travelling through Kenya into Tanzania, you will need the vaccine.
COUNTRY INFO
Language: Swahili and English are the official languages. Several indigenous languages are also spoken.
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Most tourism prices are in US Dollars.ATMs are available in major cities only. Major lodges, some hotels accept credit cards.
Time: GMT +3.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Rectangular or round three-pin plugs are used.
Communications: The international country dialing code for Tanzania, as well as Zanzibar, is +255.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services - Trained Kilimanjaro guides - All relevant Kilimanjaro Park Fees & Rescue Fees - Emergency Medical Evacuation - Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate).
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance - Airport departure taxes (unless stated).
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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