Umbwe Route 6 Days
Umbwe Route – The Steepest and Most Challenging Path to Kilimanjaro
The Umbwe Route is known as the most direct, steep, and demanding trail on Mount Kilimanjaro, recommended only for experienced trekkers seeking a true high-altitude challenge. Starting on the southern side of the mountain, Umbwe ascends quickly through dense rainforest before climbing sharply along narrow ridges with dramatic views over deep valleys. This rapid gain in elevation makes the route physically intense, but incredibly rewarding for those prepared for its difficulty.
Although one of the shortest routes to the summit, Umbwe offers stunning scenery and a sense of remote wilderness. The trail eventually merges with the Machame Route near Barranco Camp, allowing climbers to experience iconic features such as the Barranco Wall and the scenic ascent toward Barafu Camp before the final push to Uhuru Peak.
With Karibu Adventure, climbers on the Umbwe Route receive expert guidance, high-quality camping support, and careful acclimatization planning—essential for tackling this challenging trail safely and confidently. For those looking for a tough, adventurous, and less-traveled path to the summit, the Umbwe Route delivers an unforgettable Kilimanjaro experience.
Day 0: Kilimanjaro Airport – Hotel
No need to arrange transport! Our transfer driver will collect you and all your gear from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to the hotel in Moshi. Later you will meet the Karibu Adventure operation team. They will tell you more about the trip, share tips and safety information and thoroughly check your gear to see if you have everything you need.
Day 1 : Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Drive from the Hotel to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
- Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
- Budget Lodging: Umbwe Cave Camp
Day 2 : Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp : Umbwe route
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
- Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
Day 3 : Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp : Umbwe route
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Karanga Camp
Day 4 : Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp : Umbwe route
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
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp
Day 5 : Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. 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. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- 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
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp
Day 6 : Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: B
Day 7: After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Our package includes the following:
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Sleeping Mattress
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Hot water for washing up daily
- Basic first aid kit
- Camping (part of park fees)
- Airports pick up and drop off
- Orientation and gear check as well
- Medically Trained qualified guides, porters and cooks, their food, salaries and their tents
- Twice a day medical health checkup, monitoring with pulse-oximeter and stethoscope.
- Two nights’ accommodation in the hotel; first night includes bed and breakfast, with storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Exclusions
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- International and domestic flights
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities
- Tanzania Visa
Deposit Payment:
- Deposit is 10% of the total booking amount, this is non-refundable.
- Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
- Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
- Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
- Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
- Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
- Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
