Skip to content

6 Day Umbwe Route Itinerary

Activities

Excursions 

Duration:

5 Days 4 Nights

Best Time to Visit:

All Year Round

Trip Level:

Moderate

Overview

The Umbwe Route is a shorter and tougher trail, leading to Southern Glaciers and Western Breach on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route is rarely used and presents a difficult but rewarding challenge. If you want to test yourself away from crowds, this is the path to take. The climb is not too technical but has steep parts and requires scrambling over rocks and roots. You need to be an experienced mountain trekker with strong fitness and stamina, as the route features exposed ridges and is very challenging.

Itinerary

DAY 1:  UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP 

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

We leave camp and shortly afterwards the forests ends. 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 (m): 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 Karanga campsite.

DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Today’s stage takes you to Mawenzi Tarn Hut. Following a short but steep climb up grassy mountainside, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view as your reward. The heathland gives way to rocky highlands, littered with large and small volcanic boulders that testify to a previous period of volcanic activity. After a couple more hours on the trail, you will reach the site of your overnight accommodation, which enjoys a spectacular location, nestling in a valley between the towering spires of Mawenzi.

Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Altitude:  ~14,160′

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

Elevation (m): 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 down 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 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 be suitable (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

For questions or booking inquiries, call +255 784 370 561 or contact us.

Inclusion

  • Park fees
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinking water on all days
  • Camping Equipment
  • Porterage

Exclusion

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Alcohol drinks
  • Rescue Fee
  • Climbing Gear
  • Sleeping Bag