As the shortest and steepest route on Kilimanjaro, the Umbwe Route is best suited to experienced hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly while tackling steep slopes. Due to its demanding nature, this route attracts less traffic than the others, making it ideal for those who are looking for a more secluded journey to the Roof of Africa, but its difficulty shouldn’t be underestimated.

 

Kilimanjaro’s Umbwe Route is typically climbed over six days, although seven-day options are available upon request. It approaches from the South, with registration taking place at Machame Gate, and traverses the dense rainforest at the base of the mountain before turning east and following the Southern Circuit to Barafu, Stella Point, and Uhuru Peak. Descent is via the Mweka Route.

 

When you Climb Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route with Kilimanjaro Company, pre-and-post climb accommodations and airport transfers are included in the cost of your trip, and so the only extras you need to budget for are dinner/drinks at the hotel in Moshi and tips for your mountain crew.

 

As we’re members of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project), your expedition will be supported by Tanzanian climbing crew and supportive of local communities.

 

UMBWE ROUTE ITINERARY

 

DAY 1: ARRIVE KILIMANJARO

At Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. After hotel check-in, you will have a few hours to relax before meeting with your guide for a briefing.

Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (or similar)

 

DAY 2: MOSHI – MACHAME GATE – UMBWE CAVE CAMP

Your driver will collect you early morning and transfer you to Machame Gate where you will complete the registration process. From here, you will continue further to the Umbwe Gate, where you will start your expedition to the Roof of Africa at 5,250ft or 1,600m above sea level. Today’s hike will take you through the unspoilt rainforest on route to Umbwe Cave Camp.

DAILY INFORMATION

Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp

Elevation (ft): 5,250ft to 9,515ft
Elevation (m): 1,600m to 2,900m
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking Time: 6 - 8 hours
Habitat: Rainforest / Heath

Overnight: Camping Simba Camp                                                                                    

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 3: UMBWE CAVE CAMP – BARRANCO CAMP

You’ll start your day with a hot cooked breakfast in the mess tent before departing for your next basecamp, the impressive Barranco Camp that sits beneath the Barranco Wall. You’ll follow rocky terrain today with steep forest gorges and moss-covered trees until you reach the Barranco Valley and its magnificent Senecio forest.

DAILY INFORMATION

Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation (ft): 9,515ft to 13,045ft
Elevation (m): 2,900m to 3,975m
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours
Habitat: Heath

Overnight: Camping Barranco Camp                                                                              

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP

Today you’ll tackle the mighty Barranco Wall, which looks far more imposing than it is. After breakfast, you’ll head over to the wall and begin your ascent using your hands in some parts to navigate the rocky terrain. After enjoying the spectacular vistas from the top, you’ll continue down through glacial valleys to Karanga Camp where you will dinner and overnight.

DAILY INFORMATION

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

Elevation (m): 3,965m to 3,995m
Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert                                                   

Overnight: Camping Karanga Camp                                                                                                                      

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP  

Today is a relatively short day for hiking and you’ll reach Barafu Base Camp at around midday. You’ll be leaving for the summit tonight, so it is essential that you rest, eat as much as possible, and prepare yourself mentally and physically for the challenge ahead. After an early dinner, you’ll head to your tent to sleep before a few hours. Now is a good time to prepare your backpack and hiking gear for your midnight departure.

DAILY INFORMATION

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Elevation (m): 3,995m to 4,665m
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Overnight: Camping Barafu Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP - SUMMIT – MWEKA CAMP

It’s summit day! After hot tea and biscuits and midnight, you’ll leave Barafu Camp behind as you push for Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s summit at 5,895m above sea level. Today is going to be one of the most challenging days of your life, so prepare to dig deep, as you make your way through deep scree to the welcoming sign of Stella Point. From here, you have just an hour to go to reach your goal, and as the sun begins to rise over Africa, its warmth will spur you on your way. At Uhuru Peak, you’ll have time to admire the views and take souvenir summit photos before descending to Barafu Camp for a warm lunch.

You will then descend to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

DAILY INFORMATION

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Elevation (m): 4,665m to 5,895m (and down to 3,050m)
Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles ascent / 12 km / 7.5 miles descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Overnight: Camping Mweka Camp                                                                                                                   

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP - MOSHI

After a final mountainside breakfast, you will continue your descent to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your certificate and spend some quality time with your mountain crew. You will then transfer to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and evening of celebrations.

DAILY INFORMATION

Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Elevation (m): 3,050m to 1,645m
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Equatorial Rainforest

Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

DAY 8: DEPARTURE

After breakfast, your driver will collect you and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home, or onwards to your safari or Zanzibar beach extension. 

 

From £1995.00 per person sharing