6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Overview

Umbwe also happens to be one of the quietest routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of its reputation as a difficult climb, very few people 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 the 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.

If you’re looking for the best views on the way up Mount Kilimanjaro, and you enjoy testing yourself in the wilderness, the Umbwe route will provide you with everything you seek, and then some. It is the closest thing you’ll find to a true mountaineering expedition on Kilimanjaro. 

6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Itinerary

DAY 1: UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP

Elevation 1600m to 2900m, Distance: 11km, Time: 6 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

We will register at Umbwe Park Gate before starting our trek. The small winding path leads us up through the rainforest and along the Umbwe River. The first night’s camp is at Umbwe Cave Camp, at about 2,900m altitude.

DAY 2: UMBWE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

Elevation 2940m to 3970m, Distance: 6km, Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

We leave camp and shortly afterward the end of the forest. We can see the sheer wall of the Western Breach appearing and disappearing as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. We will camp at Barranco camp tonight.

DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Elevation 3950m to 3930m, Distance: 7 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Today starts with a short, but fun, scramble, to the top of the Great Barranco Wall. We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. We will stay overnight at the Karanga campsite.

DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m, Distance: 6kms, Hiking Time: 3 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

We leave the Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent Trail. From here we continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. At camp, we can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

Elevation 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m), Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent, Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent, Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

You will be woken at 23:30 with some quick tea and biscuits. We start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers. We will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m), we will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). At Uhuru Peak (5895m), we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. From the summit, we descend to the Mweka Hut camp site, via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP TO HOTEL

Elevation (m): 3100m to 1800m, Distance: 8 km, Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

We depart after breakfast descending 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 be suitable (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Marking The End Of Your 6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route safari.

INCLUDED

Safety Equipment:

• Mobile phones – carried by the head guide and all assistant guides, for daily communications with our base in Arusha. For any emergency

• Stretcher (and convertible litter)

• Comprehensive medical/first aid kits

MOUNTAIN CREW:

• Professional Mountain Guides, all head guides (at least 1 per trip) currently certified by NOLS USA as WFR (Wilderness First Responder)

• Ratio of at least one guide for every three guests, to ensure personalized attention.

• Cooks and Porters

MOUNTAIN ENTRY FEES:

• Park Fees

• Campsite fees

• Emergency Rescue Fees

CAMPING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER GEARS:

• 4-season Mountain sleeping tents (a triple tent used as a double or single (with supplement), each tent with a custom-made groundsheet covering both vestibules, to allow clean & dry storage of gear, and keep water, mud, or dust from entering the tent.

• Foam Camping Mat

• Large weatherproof dining tent, at night the tent is lit with candlelight, This tent is used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if the weather does not allow it.

• Aluminum dining tables and chairs, for all meals.

MOUNTAIN MEALS

• *Three meals a day, we produce and prepare delicious and energizing meals necessary for high-altitude mountain trekking.

• Snakes & bites

• Tea and coffee

• Mineral water

TRANSPORT

• Transfer from the hotel to the starting point

• Transfer from the last point to the hotel

 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Accommodation upon arrival and last day
  • Tips for mountain guide, recommended 15-20 per group per day
  • Porters 5 – 10$ per porter per group per day
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal items
  • Personal insurance/travel insurance
  • Personal medicines/first aid kit
  • Personal trekking gears
  • Sleeping bag

N.B

We offer high-quality rental gear/ trekking clothing like sleeping bags, Gore-Tex outerwear, warm layers, trekking poles, Trekking shoes, etc.…\