6 Days Umbwe Route

Description

As the shortest and steepest route on Kilimanjaro, the Umbwe Route is best suited to experienced hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly while tackling steep slopes. Kilimanjaro’s Umbwe Route is typically climbed over six days, although seven-day options are available upon request. Due to its demanding nature, this route attracts less traffic than the others, making it ideal for those who are looking for a more secluded journey to the Roof of Africa, but its difficulty shouldn’t be underestimated.

Itinerary Details

• Day
  1

  Arrive Kilimanjaro

  At Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. After hotel check-in, you will have a few hours to relax before meeting with your guide for a briefing.

  Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

• Day
  2

  Machame Gate To Umbwe Cave Camp

  Elevation (ft): 5,250ft to 9,515ft

  Distance: 11 km

  Hiking Time: 6 - 8 hours

  Habitat: Rainforest / Heath

  Our driver will collect you early morning and transfer you to Machame Gate where you will complete the registration process. From here, you will continue further to the Umbwe Gate, where you will start your expedition to the Roof of Africa at 5,250ft or 1,600m above sea level. Today’s hike will take you through the unspoilt rainforest on route to Umbwe Cave Camp.

• Day
  3

  Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

  Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

  Distance: 5 km

  Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  Today you’ll tackle the mighty Barranco Wall, which looks far more imposing than it is. After breakfast, you’ll head over to the wall and begin your ascent using your hands in some parts to navigate the rocky terrain. After enjoying the spectacular vistas from the top, you’ll continue down through glacial valleys to Karanga Camp where you will dinner and overnight.

• Day
  4

  Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

  Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,300ft

  Distance: 4 km

  Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  Today is a relatively short day for hiking and you’ll reach Barafu Base Camp at around midday. You’ll be leaving for the summit tonight, so it is essential that you rest, eat as much as possible, and prepare yourself mentally and physically for the challenge ahead. After an early dinner, you’ll head to your tent to sleep before a few hours. Now is a good time to prepare your backpack and hiking gear for your midnight departure.

• Day
  5

  Barafu Camp To Summit To Mweka Camp

  Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft and down to 10,000ft

  Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

  Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  It’s summit day! After hot tea and biscuits and midnight, you’ll leave Barafu Camp behind as you push for Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s summit at 5,895m above sea level. Today is going to be one of the most challenging days of your life, so prepare to dig deep, as you make your way through deep scree to the welcoming sign of Stella Point. From here, you have just an hour to go to reach your goal, and as the sun begins to rise over Africa, its warmth will spur you on your way. At Uhuru Peak, you’ll have time to admire the views and take souvenir summit photos before descending to Barafu Camp for a warm lunch. You will then descend to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

• Day
  6

  Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

  Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

  Distance: 10 km

  Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

  Habitat: Rainforest

  After a final mountainside breakfast, you will continue your descent to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your certificate and spend some quality time with your mountain crew. You will then transfer to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and evening of celebrations.

• Day
  7

  Departure

  After breakfast, your driver will collect you and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.

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