Why Choose The Umbwe Route?

The Umbwe Route is a challenging, steep and direct climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its beautiful, dense forest and stunning views. It is only meant for extremely fit individuals who want to challenge themselves and know what they are getting into.

Umbwe Route Itinerary

The itinerary below describes the 5 nights/6 day Kilimanjaro climb via the Umbwe route. Popote Africa offers Umbwe as a 7-day private climb. The 7 day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp.

Arrival in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

  • Driving distance: 55 km

  • Driving Time: 1 hour

UMBWE GATE – UMBWE CAVE CAMP

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.

  • Distance: 11km/7miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7hours
  • Elevation: 5,249 ft – 9,514 ft
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

UMBWE CAVE CAMP – BARANCO CAMP

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. The camp will be so busy due to the joining with other three famous route.

  • Distance: 6km/4miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5hours
  • Elevation: 9,514 ft – 13,044 ft
  • Habitat: Heath

BARANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP

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.

  • Distance: 5km/3miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5hours
  • Elevation: 13,044 ft – 13,106 ft
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

  • Distance: 4km/2miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5hours
  • Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

BARAFU CAMP – UHURU – MILLENNIUM CAMP

We start at midnight and climb steeply to the summit glaciers. After 4 to 5 hours on scree, we gain significant height and enjoy spectacular views. We reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the sun rises, with stunning ice cliffs and views of Mawenzi Peak. Another hour of walking takes us to Uhuru Peak (5895m). We then descend back to Stella Point and continue down the scree slope to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before heading to Mweka Camp for a well-earned rest.

  • Distance: 5km/3miles and 7km/4mile
  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 2-4 hours
  • Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341ft and 12,434 ft
  • Habitat: Arctic to Heath

MILLENNIUM CAMP – MWEKA GATE

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

  • Distance: 12km/7miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Elevation: 12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
  • Habitat: Rain forest

Trek Highlights

Throughout your journey you will Witness incredible natural landscapes from lush forests to towering peaks, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of diverse wild animals, including majestic elephants, in their natural habitat.

What’s Included In The Price

We take a lot of pride in the value for money we provide to each and every client. Below are the prices for this adventure with per-person prices based on how many people are looking book. Our prices prioritize your health, safety and experience along your journey.

  • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi
  • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Accommodation at 3* hotel in Moshi (WeruWeru Lodge) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents)
  • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
  • All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
  • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)
  • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
  • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats
  • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
  • If you choose extra comfort package you additionally will have walk-in tents, sleeping cots, hot water bottles for the night as well as portable toilets included
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters • GPS-tracking service
  • Complete medical kits including Diamox.
  • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience
  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
  • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Popote Africa is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
  • International flights
  • Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
  • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
  • Personal gear rentals, lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
  • Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)
  • Mountaineering insurance (special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m)

About Our Accommodation and Facilities

After an invigorating hike through breath-taking landscapes, you’ll arrive at our fully equipped camps. Rest assured, these aren’t just empty spaces; our camps are meticulously prepared with all the food, water, and necessities you’ll need to refuel and recharge. From delicious, freshly prepared meals to ample supplies of purified drinking water, we’ve taken care of every detail, ensuring your comfort and well-being are paramount as you move along your adventure.

About Our Expert Team

It goes without saying that we treat our porters, cooks, and guides with the utmost respect and fairness. This is not just a policy, but an unbiased evaluation of our unwavering commitment to the fair treatment of our dedicated crew members.

How We Keep You Safe On The Mountain

We prioritize your wellbeing throughout your journey. We provide frequent health checks, fresh food, drinks and security to ensure that your adventure is the best it can be.

Physical Preparation & Packing

We strive to ensure you health & safety during your adventure, the best way to do that is to prepare yourself before you begin. Your journey will be challenging, so make sure that you are in tip top condition, Below are a few exercises we recommend.

  • Cardiovascular Fitness: Engage in aerobic activities such as hiking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise, 4-5 times a week.
  • Strength Training: Focus on building leg muscles through squats, lunges, and stair climbing. Core and upper body strength are also important.
  • Hiking Practice: Go on hikes with a weighted backpack to simulate what you will experience on Kilimanjaro.

You can find more information on our Treq FAQs page by pressing the button below.

What Our Customers Say

Hear what our trekkers have to say about their incredible journey!

Martin S

I had an unforgettable experience with Kilinge Adventures, both on the Kilimanjaro trek and the safari afterward. Everything was extremely well organized, from airport pickup to the final day. The guides were professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive throughout the journey.

Vintage Row

From the first to last day they were all so professional and caring attending to my every need always with a smile on their faces.
The equipment and food offered was first class .
Victor the main guide such a great man whos knowledge of the mountain is impressive.
All of the team felt like good friends by the i completed the week.

Shaj

Had an absolutely amazing time climbing Kilimanjaro with Kilinge Adventures! Prices were very competitive and I managed to book a tour and join a group at very short notice, just a day before the trek. The trek was extremely well organised with the guides and porters ensuring that all our needs were met and to make the climb as enjoyable as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Umbwe route is a steep and direct climb to the Uhuru peak. It offers the least time for the body to acclimatize to the rising altitudes. That combined with the physical exertion on this trek makes it the most difficult route to hike up Kilimanjaro.
The short Umbwe Route is approximately 52kms (32miles) from start to finish. It is usually done over 6 days, but a shorter 5-day itinerary is also possible. The average daily altitude gain is about 840m per day, with the summit day gain of 1200m from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak.
The Umbwe Route is one of the shortest routes up Kilimanjaro which has a very poor chance for acclimatization due to it’s steepness and days spend in the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 70%. However, we have a summit success rate of over 90% for the Umbwe Route!
The first two days of the Umbwe Route trek are through tree plantations and then beautiful and rich rain forest, before continuing into the steep Western Breach and Arrow’s Glacier path, scramble up to the Reutsch Crater (5,800 meters) where trekkers spend the night near one of Kilimanjaro’s last remaining glaciers, Furtwangler Glacier.

Have a Question About Our Kilimanjaro Climbs?

Planning your Kilimanjaro climb? Get the answers you need about difficulty, acclimatization, and what’s included in our trekking packages.