6 Days Umbwe Route - Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour
Experience the ultimate Kilimanjaro trekking adventure with our professional 6 Days Umbwe Route tour. Expert guides, quality equipment, and guaranteed summit success.
6 Days Umbwe Route - Tour Overview
6 Days
12+
Shared tour
Budget Accommodation
6 Days Umbwe Route - Detailed Overview
Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach and its the most hardest and challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Umbwe Route is the trail for trekkers looking for a true climbing challenge. It is a quiet, seldom used path that can be very difficult, yet very rewarding at the same time. This is the route to choose if you want to test yourself on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, far from the crowds that are found on the more common trails.
While Umbwe route is a non-technical climb, it does offer steep ascents and requires trekkers to scramble over rocks and tree roots at certain points. It is the hardest and most direct route up the mountain and even features several exposed ridges that are not for the faint of heart. The fitness and stamina of hikers may be tested along the way and it is best for experienced mountain trekkers who are looking for a challenge.
Because of its steep, direct approach, the success rate on Umbwe route is lower than some of the other routes.
To get the most out of this climb, trekkers are encouraged to be as fit and ready as possible, as this is a steady march uphill for the first few days, which is contrast to some of the other routes that make slow, steady ascents or wander up and down to aid in acclimatization.
That said, the intense challenge of trekking the Umbwe Route is made up for by the spectacular views. At times, there are stunning vistas to be seen to both the left and the right as trekkers as they make their way up the trail. In fact, the early days of this path have arguably the best views of any part of the mountain, save perhaps the summit itself.
Umbwe also happens to be one of the quietest routes up Mount Kilimanjaro too. Because of its reputation as a difficult climb, very few people actually walk this trail, leaving it open and relatively untouched.
This helps to give trekkers the feeling that they are the only ones on the mountain until the route merges with Machame route near the Barranco Camp a few days into the hike. From there, it follows the familiar Southern Circuit below the Southern Ice Field before turning up towards the summit from Barafu Camp. As with most Kilimanjaro climbs, the descent is made along the Mweka Route.
6 Days Umbwe Route - What's Included
6 Days Umbwe Route - Daily Itinerary
You will be picked up from the airport. From there you will
go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek. Your guides will be
there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your
trekking gear.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Moshi
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1660m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrow
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Shortly after leaving the camp the forest starts thinning
and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly,
moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge.
As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically
ahead of you etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach
Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the
Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great
Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your
dinner is being prepared.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
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
Around the midnight (midnight to 12am), you will continue
your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. 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 (weather permitting). It can be very cold at
night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking
day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now
make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping
at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or
rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
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
From Mweka Camp you continue the descent down to the Mweka
Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Shorts and t-shirts will
probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). At the
Mweka Gate summiting climbers receive their summit certificates. Our driver
will meet you at the gate and transport you to your Moshi hotel.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Our packages include departure day services. Enjoy breakfast
and a morning sightseeing in the city or join us for one of our Safari
Adventures. If you are returning home our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro
International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight back home.
6 Days Umbwe Route - Pricing per Person
| Season | Solo | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 6+ Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January to December |
$1920 | $1900 | $1885 | $1870 | $1840 | $1820 | $1790 |
