Umbwe Route is the shortest and steepest of the Kilimanjaro routes therefore with a poor acclimatization profile and the most direct route on Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is dubbed as the most challenging route on Kilimanjaro. For this reason, it is probably the least used trail on the mountain. Success rates are accordingly low and are the least crowded route on the mountain.
The route is recommended for professional hikers or climbers who have the ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude. it has untouched forests and walking distances makes it a perfect trekking option for fit trekkers.
The route approaches from the south, before turning eastwards at Barranco Camp, the trail then transverses beneath the Southern Ice-field before summiting from Barafu and camping is the available option. The descents are made via the Mweka route.
Itinerary
Itineraries
ARRIVAL
Arrive in Tanzania
Arrive in Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA – JRO) where by Tupo Travel staff will be holding a Tupo Travel placard who will transfer you to Moshi town, for you to spend the first night at a hotel. Those who will arrive through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA – NBO) in Kenya, will be picked by Shuttle bus to Moshi.
DAY 1
Machame gate for permit (1790m) - Umbwe gate (1800m) - Umbwe Cave (3000m)
Hiking time: 6hours – 7hours
Distance: Approximately 9.5km / 6.7mi
Habitat: Montane forest
The climb starts from Umbwe Gate, where the path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. There is no water available at this campsite, so we must carry from the gate all the water needed for drinking, food preparation and cleaning.
DAY 2
Umbwe Cave (3000m) to Barronco Camp (3960m)
Hiking time: 5 Hours
Distance: Approximately 7.5km / 4.9mi
Habitat: Lower heather zone
The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest along the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp situated in the valley. In this camp you will meet with other trekkers from Machame route and Lemosho route. Therefore the population will be bigger.
DAY 3
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Hiking time:5 Hours
Distance: Approximately 5.5km / 3.4mi
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
DAY 4
Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 3 Hours
Distance: Approximately3km / 1.9mi
Habitat: Alpine desert
Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.
DAY 5
Day 5 Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)
Hiking time: 16.4km / 9.6mi
Distance: Approximately 7 Kms ascent – 23 Kms descent
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.
DAY 6
Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 Hours
Distance: Approximately 15 Kms
Habitat: Forest
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.
DEPARTURE
Moshi - Kilimanjaro International Airport
Depart Tanzania or continue your dream with amazing safari extensions.
For trekkers not continuing with a safari we provide transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport or bus station for your onward journey.
