The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. The Umbwe Route is a scenic route which approaches the summit from the south. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route. The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize.
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
- Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
- Distance: 11 km/7 miles
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Heath
The day begins with a 50 minute drive to Machame Gate where registration formalities will be completed. We then transfer through villages and coffee and banana plantations to Umbwe Gate. The trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe Camp is perched between trees and thick undergrowth.
Day 2: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft
- Distance: 6 km/4 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heath
The second day of the trek follows rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly,moss-covered trees. As we gain elevation, glimpses of Kilimanjaro can be seen. The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest.
Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
- Distance: 5 km/3 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall.Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
- Distance: 4 km/2 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hour
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
- Distance: 5 km/3 miles
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
- Distance: 12 km/7 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
- Distance: 10 km/6 miles Hiking
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
TOUR INCLUDES
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Transportation to & from the Mt. Kilimanjaro gate
Park entry fees and camping fees
Accommodation: 2 nights before and after the climb, as well as all days during the climb, with mattresses and sleeping bags provided.
Mt.Kilimanjaro Park Rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
3 fresh meals daily while on the mountain
Drinking water throughout the trek
Hot water for washing
Government taxes
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
Emergency first-aid kit
TOUR EXCLUDES
Travel insurance
Flights
Laundry Service
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (see our tipping guidelines for more information)
| Umbwe route, 6 Days Itinerary for a Group of:
2450 USD – One person 2370 USD – Two persons 2270 USD – Three persons 2140 USD – Four persons 2010 USD – Five persons 1860 USD – Six persons or more
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Note; Price for children from 5 – 15 years old:
1500 USD per child for any of the above mentioned routes. |
| Tipping Guidelines.
As we receive a lot of questions about the recommended amount of tips, we created these. We recommend giving tips to our mountain staff according to the quality of the service they provided and according to your budget of-course. The following amount of tips is recommended: Guides: 20 – 40 USD per day Cook: 15 – 25 USD per day Porters: 10-25 USD per day Driver: 5-15 USD per transfer |
How many staff members will join me on the climb?
The amount of staff members varies according to the amount of hikers. For a group of 2 hikers, the following amount of staff members will join: – 2 guides – 1 cook – 6-9 porters ( Depending on the weight of the luggage, more hikers will require additional staff members to join the trek). Visit to learn more: https://moanatanzania.com/kilimanjaro-tipping-guideline/ |
Luxury Add-Ons – At an additional cost ( For Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt. Meru ).
Do you wish to make your Mt.Kilimanjaro trek more comfortable? We also provide some luxury add-ons to make your experience more relaxing. You can book one or more of the following luxury add-ons:
(a) A personal porter to carry your day pack or other personal items (weight of maximum 15 KG) – 100 USD per porter.
(b) A private tent for one person (instead of shared) – 175 USD per tent.
(c ) A private portable toilet including a toilet tent – 150 USD per trek.
(d) A private hot shower, including a shower tent, a shower mat, enough clothes hooks and clean towels – 200 USD per trek.
(e) Luxury walk-in tent with luxury camp bed (aluminium frame beds with comfortable foam mattresses ) and a pillow – 420 USD per 2 persons.
(f) Solar charging kit to charge your devices (up to 2 devices at the same time) – 80 USD.
(g) A well-deserved 1 hour massage for after your mountain trek – 80 USD per Person.
NOTE: The above mentioned luxury add-Ons are excluded in our standard packages. You can add them to your package as an extra luxury.
