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6 Days – Kilimanjaro Climbing - Umbwe Route
6 Days / 5 Nights Days
Arusha or Moshi, Tanzania (hotel pickup) → Mweka Gate, then hotel in Arusha or Moshi
Climbing
Difficult
From
USD $2,304
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
The Umbwe route is the most direct way to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro, and it is widely considered the steepest and toughest. It is also one of the most spectacular, and because it is so demanding, few people use it, giving a real sense of isolation and wonderful views. You climb through the rainforest and along a narrow ridge with the 1,000-metre Breach Wall rising beside you, then scramble up the Barranco Wall and traverse beneath the southern glaciers before the summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. It is best suited to strong, fit hikers looking for a real challenge.
Safari Highlights
- US$ 2,000 per person sharing
- Extra days on the Mountain: US $ 335 per person per day
- Minimum 2 Pax
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements. You can add with Wildlife Safari, Beach Holidays etc...
Destinations to Travel
Umbwe Gate · Umbwe Ridge · Lonzo and Umbwe rivers · Barranco Camp · Great Barranco · Karanga Camp · Barafu Camp · Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers · Stella Point · Uhuru Peak (Mount Kilimanjaro) · Mweka Camp · Mweka Gate
Itinerary
Day 1 — Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
You are picked up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and driven to Umbwe Gate (about 1,800 m) to register with the park. The route first follows a forestry track winding up through natural rainforest, then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, using tree roots as footholds in places. The first camp is in the forest, beside some rock overhangs, at about 2,940 metres. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Trek: 1,800 m to 2,940 m · 5 to 6 hours · rainforest, steep
Day 2 — Umbwe Ridge to Barranco Camp
Shortly after leaving camp the forest ends and the path continues along a narrow, spectacular ridge through giant heather. Above you, the sheer 1,000-metre Breach Wall appears and disappears as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. From the top of Umbwe Ridge the route descends slightly to Barranco Camp on the valley floor, where you spend the night.
Trek: 2,940 m to 3,960 m · 5 to 6 hours · moorland
Day 3 — Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
You start with a scramble up the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical climb to the top of the Great Barranco. You then traverse over scree and ridges beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers to Karanga Camp. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Trek: 3,960 m to 4,035 m · about 3 to 4 hours · alpine desert
Day 4 — Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
You climb out of the Karanga Valley and up a rocky ridge to Barafu Camp, a bleak spot with almost no vegetation and the base camp for the summit. After an early dinner you rest and prepare for the night ascent.
Trek: 4,035 m to 4,680 m · about 3 to 4 hours · alpine desert
Day 5 — Summit to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp
Around midnight you start the climb to the crater rim at Stella Point (5,752 m), between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, which takes about five to six hours. The last section before the rim can be snow-covered, and trekking poles help with balance. From Stella Point, about an hour along the rim brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, often with fine views of Mount Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east.
After some time at the summit, you descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp in the giant heather zone for dinner and the night.
Trek: Up to 5,895 m · 6 to 7 hours · Down to 3,100 m · 5 to 6 hours · 11 to 14 hours in total
Day 6 — Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Arusha or Moshi
A descent of three to four hours through beautiful rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where you collect your summit certificate. You are then transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Trek: 3,100 m to 1,640 m · 3 to 4 hours · rainforest
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport To And From Mountain Gates.
- All Parks Entry Fees.
- All Camping Fees.
- Rescue Fees.
- Guide and Porters Fees.
- Guide and Porters Salaries.
- All Accommodations on the Mountain Based On Three Meals A Day.
- Cook and All Kitchen Utensils.
Rate Excludes
- International And Domestic Flights (We Can Arrange On Request)
- Accommodation On The First Night Upon Your Arrival Before Climb And On The Last Day
- After Climb (Book With Us)
- Airport Transfers (Book With Us)
- Tips, Drinks And All Items Of Personal Nature
- Hard And Soft Drinks And Tips
- Sleeping Bags But We Can Provide For Hire On Request.
- All Mountain Gears (We Can Arrange Hire Of This)
Best Time to Go
This trek can be taken all year round. In general, the dry seasons from about January to March and June to October suit the Umbwe route best, as the steep forest trail and ridges are drier and safer underfoot. The wetter months from about April to May and November to December bring more rain and cloud, and the afternoon mists can hide the Breach Wall and the views. Our team can advise on the best dates for your trek.
Pricing
From USD $2,304 per person
| Option | Price | Pax |
|---|---|---|
| US$ 2,304 per person sharing | Minimum 2 Pax | |
| • Extra days on the Mountain: US $ 335 per person per day | Minimum 2 Pax |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the trek start and end, and how long is it?
It starts with a pick-up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and a drive to Umbwe Gate, and ends at Mweka Gate, followed by a transfer to your hotel. The trek lasts six days and five nights on the mountain.
Who is this route for?
Umbwe is the steepest and most direct route to Uhuru Peak, and it is best suited to strong, fit hikers, ideally with some high-altitude experience. No technical climbing is needed. Please ask our team about fitness and altitude preparation before you book.
Is the Umbwe route busy?
No. Because it is so steep, Umbwe is one of the least used routes on Kilimanjaro, giving a real sense of wilderness until it joins the southern circuit at Barranco.
Do we need special equipment?
No technical gear is needed. Trekking poles are very useful on the steep ridge and on the final section before the crater rim, which can be snowy. Please ask our team which equipment is provided or available for hire.
Will we see Mount Meru and Mawenzi?
On a clear day the summit gives fine views of Mount Meru to the west and Mawenzi to the east, but this depends on the weather.
Is six days enough to acclimatise?
Umbwe gains height very quickly in the first two days, so acclimatisation is the main challenge. Adding an extra day, for example at Karanga, improves your chances of reaching the summit. Please ask our team about a seven-day version.