5 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

brief overview

The Umbwe Route takes a direct path to the southern glaciers. The Umbwe Option is without question the most difficult and steepest way to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Due to the demanding stages, we recommend this route only for experienced alpinists. The direct route also unfortunately means that there is very little time for acclimatization.

The special feature of this ascent option is mainly in the first stage. On the very first day you will reach the Umbwe Cave Camp at an altitude of almost 3000 meters between high trees. From there it is only a short detour to visit the caves that give the camp its name. On the second hiking day the Umbwe Route merges with the Machame Route at Barranco Camp.

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Details

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha / Moshi

Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha bus terminal (e.g. from Nairobi) to your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha.

Day 2: Arusha – Umbwe Gate (1,600 m)- Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 m)

altitude Δ: 1250 m, distance: approx. 10.5 km, time required: approx. 6 hours

Today your driver will pick you up and drive you to the Umbwe Gate entry point. After you have completed the formalities, you will have to register in the mountaineering book. Your journey begins through dense rainforest with huge fig trees. You can hear and see different kinds of animals, such as the Colobus monkeys. The path winds up between the rivers Lonzo and Umbwe and becomes noticeably steeper. While climbing, on a clear day you can admire the Kibo peak in the distance. The ascent ends after 5 to 7 hours at Umbwe Cave Camp. If you still have energy left, you can visit the nearby cave. Dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.

Day 3: Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

altitude Δ: 1100 m, distance: approx. 6.5 km, time required: approx. 6 hours

After breakfast you will start your next stage. After a short time you will reach the tree line and the landscape will gradually change from rainforest to moss-covered trees and heathland. You will follow a challenging ridge which will finally lead you into the Barranco Valley. The Barranco Camp is situated at an altitude of almost 4000 meters in the shadow of the Great Barranco Wall. At this camp the three routes Lemosho, Shira, Machame are combined with your Umbwe ascent. Dinner and the overnight stay at the Barranco Camp.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

altitude Δ: 650 m, distance: approx. 9 km, time required: approx. 7 hours

After your breakfast the ascent from Barranco Camp starts at the Great Barranco Wall, then continues to Karanga Valley Camp (4070 m). This site is challenging but offers great views of the southern glaciers of Kibo. From Karanga Valley Camp we continue on a ridge to Barafu Camp (4600 m), your base camp before the summit ascent at night. Dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,080 m)

altitude Δ: 1560 m, distance: 17 km, time required: approx. 12 hours

Night ascent with flashlight from Barafu Camp in northwestern direction through scree and snow to the summit of Kilimanjaro. After about 6 hours you will first reach Stella Point (5725 m) at the crater rim. Due to the altitude this is the physically challenging part of the hike. With good visibility you will experience a magnificent sunrise here. From here you need another hour to reach the summit of Uhuru Peak. Now you stand on the roof of Africa and enjoy the best viewpoint on the continent. Then you descend again to Barafu Camp, rest there for a while and continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3100 m).

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,080 m) – Mweka Gate (1,630 m) – Arusha / Moshi

altitude Δ: 1450 m, distance: approx. 10 km, time required: approx. 3 hours

The last stage of your hike begins after a hearty breakfast. Afterwards you will walk gently downhill through the tropical rainforest to Mweka Gate. Your faithful mountain crew will bid you farewell here with a traditional ceremony and your summit certificate. Afterwards you will be brought to your accommodation for a well-deserved drink and dinner.

Day 7: Arusha / Moshi

After breakfast transfer to the central bus station, to the airline office in the city for your shuttle bus to the airport or extension e.g. Northern Circuit Safari or onward flight to Zanzibar.

Good to know

Good to know:

Although the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority sets the minimum age for climbing the mountain at 10 years, we recommend at least 13 years. Please let us know in advance if one of the participants is younger than 16 years.

Before each Kilimanjaro ascent you will check your equipment with our staff, if necessary you can rent missing trekking equipment. Each expedition is led by an experienced and certified chief mountain guide. Each of these certified guides knows the mountain and the routes exactly and has reached the summit dozens of times. Should your group exceed 2 persons, he will be additionally supported by assistance guide(s). He will give you a safety briefing, you will discuss the route and behaviour in case of an accident or acute hypoxia symptoms. Especially because the probability of irrational decisions increases when altitude sickness occurs, you should always follow the instructions of your mountain guide. Our guides put your health before a summit success.

During your ascent you will carry a backpack with your personal belongings. Your porters carry all equipment, food, tents, gas bottles etc. The expedition cooks deserve a special mention. Here in Tanzania people are used to cooking outdoors and with simple methods. But what your crew will conjure up on the mountain with simple gas stoves will amaze you; hearty meals with appetizers and desserts and even freshly baked bread! Because a part of your team always starts in front of you, hot drinks are available and the tents are set up when you reach your daily destination. As there is always fresh spring water available until the highest stages of the day, you will be constantly supplied with boiled mountain water. Mostly you will sleep in small 2 person tents, in some places there are mountain huts with showers. At the camping sites your team will provide you with a bucket of warm water for an improvised shower.

Service

Included in the travel price:

Mountain Rescue fees
Qualified mountain guide and assistant(s)
Mountain Cook(s)
4 overnight stays in tents (full board)
Boiled spring water on the mountain
Accompaniment of at least two porters per participant, depending on the load
Entrance and overnight fees for the National Park
Transfers as described

Not included in the travel price:

Visa fees
Insurance
Personal or special equipment for mountain climbing (e.g. hiking boots, walking sticks, headlamp, towels, binoculars etc.)
Tips and gratuities
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks
Personal expenses
Scheduled flight
Overnight stays before and after the ascent

Prices

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Prices for the Kilimanjaro Rongai mountain route only on request.

Our consultants will calculate the price for your tailor-made dream trip individually. Here at Tanzania Experts, our motivation is to offer as many people as possible the chance to travel to the incredibly beautiful and diverse paradise of Tanzania. Our prices are therefore very competitive.

Due to the uniqueness of the country, with UNESCO protected world natural heritage sites such as the Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti with the world famous Great Animal Migration, the Ngorongoro Caldera, the gemstone Tanzanite – only found in a very small mining area near the Mererani Hills or the largest contiguous protected area in Africa (Selous Game Reserve), you will enjoy a truly once in a life time experience.

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