6 Day Umbwe Route
From
Duration
Overview
The Umbwe Route is one of the shortest and steepest paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a challenging climb for those seeking a more adventurous experience. Unlike other routes, it quickly ascends through dense rainforest and rugged terrain, requiring a strong level of fitness and determination. Once you reach Barranco Hut, the route merges with the Machame Route, where climbers continue along the scenic Southern Circuit, providing stunning views of the towering Barranco Wall and the surrounding landscapes.
The descent follows the Mweka Trail, offering a gradual return through lush vegetation zones. While the Umbwe Route is incredibly rewarding for seasoned climbers, its rapid ascent and limited acclimatization opportunities make it unsuitable for beginners or those with little altitude experience. Proper preparation, prior high-altitude experience, and a cautious approach to pacing are essential for a successful climb on this route.
Included/Exclude
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- National Park gate fees
- Transport from Moshi to trail head and return to Moshi
- Camping fees
- Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
- Salaries for all crew members
- Rescue fees (as required by national park)
- Tents, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
- Oximeters
- Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Optional tours
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $400-600/person)
- Sleeping bags, sleeping pad, and personal gear
- Portable toilet
- Single tent
Tour Plan
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to Moshi.
A driver will meet you at the Kilimanjaro Airport after you go through immigration and customs. Look for someone with a sign that says "Adventures Within Reach" and/or your name. It takes a minimum of 45 minutes to get to Moshi with no traffic.
There will be a trek orientation with your Kilimanjaro guide today and an opportunity to get any rental items that you may need and also pack for the trek. You can leave extra luggage that is not needed on the trek at the hotel.
If you have time, we recommend an extra rest day before your trek.
Meals included:Â n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations:Â Chanya Lodge
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 30 minutes). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
- Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations:Â Umbwe Cave Camp
Hike from Umbwe Camp to the Shira Plateau and then continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the Southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp.
-- Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
-- Distance: 6km/4mi
-- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-- Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations:Â Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations:Â Karanga Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations:Â Barafu Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations:Â Mweka Camp
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don't forget to tip your guides and porters.
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
Meals included:Â Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations:Â Chanya Lodge
If you are starting a safari today, your guide will meet you at your hotel. We can also arrange a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Meals included:Â Breakfast
Location
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