The best Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route tour Overview
This best 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route is one of the shortest and most challenging routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The route starts from the southern side of the mountain and follows a steep and direct ascent, making it suitable only for experienced and fit climbers.
The Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route passes through a variety of landscapes, including dense rainforests, heathlands, and alpine deserts, before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Along the way, climbers will encounter unique flora and fauna, including rare species such as the Abbot’s duiker and the white-necked raven.
This beautiful Umbwe route is considered a very challenging and demanding trek due to its steep and direct ascent, limited time for acclimatization, and high altitude. It is often recommended only for experienced climbers who are in excellent physical condition and have previous experience with high-altitude trekking. The Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route offers stunning views and a true test of physical and mental endurance, making it a popular choice for experienced climbers seeking a challenging adventure.
Departure / Return Location
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Departure Time
Please arrive at least 2 hours before flight.
Included
- Park fees
- Camp fees
- Rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Portable toilet
- Accommodation in Arusha or Moshi
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Emergency oxygen
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Medical Kit and Oximeter
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Medical insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
The best 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route price/cost 2024
The cost of climbing Kilimanjaro’s Umbwe Route can vary depending on factors such as the tour type, level of service, and season. On average, a 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing Umwe route can cost between $1,600 to $3,500 USD per person. It’s depend on various factors such as number of people per group, Accommodation before and after hiking, Services during the hiking .
7 days Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route Itinerary
A full detailed 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing Umbwe route tour day by day itinerary:
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp;
Day 2: Umbwe Camp Barranco Camp;
Day 3: Barranco Camp Acclimatization;
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp;
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp;
Day 6: SUMMIT DAY! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp;
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi
Day 01: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
Rising in feet: 5,905 feet (1,800 meters) to 9,190 feet (2,800 meters). 8 km stretch Hiking time: 5-7 hours Climate habitat: rain forest Breakfast will be provided early, and there you will have a briefing from your guide at 9 a.m. Our staff will take you on the hour-long drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Umbwe village, where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies. When registration to enter Kilimanjaro Park is complete, you will also receive your lunch pack.
Day 02: Umbwe Camp Barranco Camp
Rising (in feet): 9,190 feet (2,800 meters) to 12,800 feet (3,900 meters).8 km stretchHiking time: 4-5 hoursClimate habitat: moorland7-Day Umbwe Route to Climb Kilimanjaro Rise early for coffee or tea. After breakfast, pack up for the day’s trek. Your trek will begin steeply through the disappearing rainforest glades before ascending into the drier air of Giant Erica and heathland terrain, where the vegetation is sparse with small shrubs.
Day 03:Barranco Camp Acclimatization
Stretch:10 km Hiking time: 7 hours Climate habitat: moorland You will spend Day 3 exploring near Barranco Camp for much-needed acclimatization. Keep your camera handy to capture the scenery of the grass-clad campsite. Many trekkers rank this as their favorite camp on this trail, which is another reason this is the perfect spot for your acclimatization day. Choose the 6-day Umbwe itinerary if you are confident in your body’s ability to acclimate well.
Day 04:Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Rising (ft): 12,960ft /3,950m to 13,780ft/4,200m
Stretch: 7 km
Hiking time: 4 hours
Climatic habitat: MoorlandAfter sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don’t worry. It’s much easier than it looks Continue up until you reach just below the hem of the glacier. Then head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water they need for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing some light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.
Day 05:Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Rising (ft): 13,780ft (4,200 m) to 14,930ft (4,550 m). Stretch: 5 km Hiking time: 3-4 hours Climate habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast, you’ll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut. You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. Also, have your headlamp or flashlight handy if you need to leave the tent after dark. You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for your headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 p.m. and try to catch a few hours of shuteye before your summit attempt.
Day 06:SUMMIT DAY! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Rising (ft): 14,930ft (4,550 m) to 19,340ft (5,895 m) to 10,170 ft (3,100 m). Stretch: 7 km up and 22 km down Hiking time: 8 hours up, 9-10 hours down Climate habitat: Arctic Wake at 11:30 PM for tea or coffee and biscuits, and then depart Barafu on your bid for the peak.
You will climb for 6 hours through thick scree, following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers, until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m). You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek.
Depending on your pace up to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold.
At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route. You will hike along the rim for another 1–2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak.
Congratulations! You are now standing on the roof of Africa! You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon in order to allow yourself enough time to rest at Barafu Camp. After a 3-hour descent down sliding scree, you will reach Barafu to have a short rest while you collect your gear and then continue down the path back into the forest camp of Mweka.
You might experience a little rain in the afternoon, so be sure to have your rain gear in your daypack. Enjoy some dinner and some well-deserved sleep. At Mweka Camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, candy bars, and beer.
Day 07:Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ftDistance: 10 kmHiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain ForestHalf BoardAfter 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). Zoom Tours’ vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.