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Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route 6 days
Benefits of the route
Ultimate Adventure
A bold, steep ascent for those seeking a true test of endurance and willpower.
Exclusive Experience
Very few attempt Umbwe, giving you a sense of total isolation and achievement.
Spectacular Terrain
Dramatic ridges and wild landscapes make every step unforgettable.
Fastest Ascent
Reaches high altitude quickly, perfect for climbers confident in their fitness and acclimatization ability.
Route overview
The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route. The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize. However, overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended and we discourage its usage for our clients.
Prices for this route
Route name |
1 Person |
2-4 People |
5-7 People |
8-10 People |
11 & Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Days Umbwe Route |
2,500/Person |
2,100/Person |
1,950/Person |
1,800/Person |
1,650/Person |
Full itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
- Meals: No meals Included
Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)
At 8am leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places.Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival.
- Elevation Gain:1,050 meters, 3,445 feet
- Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
- Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet
- Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900 m/12,800 ft)
Extra Day for Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.
- Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
- Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
- Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
- Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
- Hiking time: 6 hours to the rim, 1 hour to Uhuru, 3 to 4 hours back to Barafu, 4 hours to Mweka
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.
- Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
- Hiking time: 4 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, & Lunch Included
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
- Meals: Breakfast Included
Prices include
- 2 nights at Park View Inn (or similar) in Moshi on a bed-and-breakfast basis (1 night before and 1 night after the trek)
- Airport pick-up on arrival and drop-off on departure
- Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro park gate
- Kilimanjaro Park entrance fees
- Camping or hut accommodation fees
- Crater fees (if applicable)
- Kilimanjaro rescue team fees
- High-quality 4-season tents
- Double-thickness (10 cm) foam mattresses
- Professional, experienced, and friendly guides, cooks, and porters
- Three freshly prepared meals per day during the trek
- Filtered and treated drinking water throughout the climb
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew according to KINAPA and KIATO regulations
- All government taxes
- Portable oxygen cylinders for emergency use
- English- or French-speaking certified mountain guide
- Oximeter, first aid supplies, and stethoscope
- Private portable toilet with a tent (1 toilet for groups of 1–5 climbers, 2 toilets for groups of 6–10 climbers)
- Mountain communication radio
- Official Kilimanjaro summit certificate.
Prices exclude
- Meals and drinks at the hotel (before and after the trek)
- Travel insurance
- Shower tent (available at an additional cost) -USD 450 for 1 person, USD 300 per person for groups of 2 or more
- International and local flights
- Laundry services at the hotel
- Personal gear, items, and toiletries
Gratuities
- Guide: USD 20–25 per day, per guide
- Cook: USD 15–20 per day, per cook
- Porter: USD 10–15 per day, per porter
