6 Days Umbwe Route
Duration
5 Days
Max People
10
Tour Type
Climbing
Kilimanjaro
The Umbwe Route is the steepest and most direct trail up Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s a short path with less traffic, best for experienced climbers. You pass through thick forest, steep ridges, and join other trekkers at Barranco Camp. The trail gives stunning views, but due to its fast ascent, it’s not ideal for beginners.
- Steepest and shortest trail up Mount Kilimanjaro’s southern face.
- Perfect for fit climbers with high-altitude trekking experience.
- Stunning views of ridges, valleys, and Kibo’s icy summit.
- Quiet and less crowded compared to other popular routes.
- Quick altitude gain, not ideal for slow acclimatisation.
- Joins the Machame trail at Barranco, descends via the Mweka Route.
Arrival Day: Welcome to Tanzania
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro Airport and taken to your hotel in Moshi. After settling in, meet your guide for a pre-climb briefing. You’ll review gear, discuss the trek, and rent any needed equipment. This is your time to relax, eat well, and prepare for your steep adventure on Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation: Client-selected: Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury hotel in Moshi
Dinner: Served at the hotel or a local restaurant
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
After breakfast, we drive for one hour to Umbwe Gate. After park registration, the climb begins. The trail is steep and direct, passing through dense rainforest. The path can be muddy and slippery. We hike uphill for about 5–6 hours, reaching Umbwe Cave Camp surrounded by giant trees and thick vegetation.
- Elevation: 1,660m to 2,850m
- Distance: 11 km / 7 mi
- Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
Today, the forest clears, and we climb a sharp ridge. The trail gets steeper and rockier as we leave the trees behind. We get incredible views of Kibo Peak and deep valleys below. After 4–5 hours, we reach Barranco Camp and join climbers from the Machame Route.
- Elevation: 2,850m to 4,000m
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
We begin the day with the famous Barranco Wall climb. It looks steep but is safe and fun. At the top, we rest and enjoy the mountain views. We then trek through small valleys and ridges to reach Karanga Camp, a peaceful spot to rest and adjust to the altitude.
- Elevation: 4,000m to 4,050m
- Distance: 5 km / 3 mi
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We climb further up through rocky trails to Barafu Camp. The air is thin and the land barren, but the views are amazing. You can see the summit clearly from here. We rest early and prepare gear for the midnight summit climb. Dinner is served early, so you can sleep soon after.
- Elevation: 4,050m to 4,700m
- Distance: 4 km / 2 mi
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
We wake around midnight and begin the summit hike. The trail is steep, cold, and full of scree. After 6–7 hours, we reach Stella Point, then walk 1 more hour to Uhuru Peak — Africa’s highest point. After pictures and celebration, we descend to Barafu for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Elevation: 4,700m to 5,895m (Uhuru), down to 3,090m
- Distance: 5 km up / 13 km down
- Time: 5–7 hrs up / 5–6 hrs down
- Habitat: Arctic to Moorland
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate & Departure
After breakfast, we walk the final stretch through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail can be wet and slippery. At the gate, you receive your summit certificate. Our team then transfers you back to Moshi or to the airport, marking the end of your adventure.
- Elevation: 3,090m to 1,680m
- Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Purified drinking water
- Professional guides and cooks
- Four-season sleeping tents (twin-sharing)
- Mess tent with chairs and a table
- Park fees and camping fees
- Sleeping mattress
- All meals during the trek
- Rescue and conservation fees
- Emergency oxygen
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Salaries for guides, porters, and cooks
- Transfers to/from the mountain
- VAT (18% Tanzanian Government Tax)
- Large, healthy meal portions
- Hotel stay (available as an add-on)
- Tanzania visa
- Drinks like beer and soda
- Online payment surcharge (5%)
- Laundry, calls, or personal items
- Airport transfers (add-on option)
- Tips for the crew
- Flights (international/domestic)
- Meals not shown in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Rental gear (boots, clothes, bags)
Kilimanjaro
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