6 Days Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.

Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Vulture Tours & Adventure offers Umbwe as a six or seven day.

Upon arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation at your requested Hotel. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

Day 1: From hotel to Umbwe Cave Campsite.

Pick up with our vehicle from the hotel, drive to Umbwe gate. Here after completing the gate registration procedures, the trek starts through the rainforest to Umbwe cave campsite where you will find all tents already setup then stop for dinner and overnight. Today you will walk across ridges and valleys into a really thick forest.

Elevation: 1651m/5417ft to 2944m/9659ft
Altitude gained: 1293m

DAY 2: UMBWE CAVE – BARRANCO CAMP: 4.75km/3mi | 4-6hrs | Moorland

This day after breakfast you will trek through the remaining forest to the moorland and heath zone and you will be enjoying some wonderful views of Barranco valleys and ice cap on top of the mountain. Then you will arrive to Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 2944m/9659ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained: 1042m

Day 3: Barranco Campsite to Karanga Campsite

Today you will be having a short day walk and in the late morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a short rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the screed slopes towards the Southern ice field, then you will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained: 48m

Day 4: Karanga campsite to Barafu campsite

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m

DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3km /2 mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Today trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walking hours is few because is steep, so it needs slowly walk to avoid fatigue as well as high altitude sickness. You will walk across alpine desert with strong cold wind blowing because there are no trees around as well as getting closer to the Kibo glaciers. You will have lunch and early dinner, then rest until midnight when you start the summit climb.overnight at Horombo hut 3,720m.

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | – MWEKA CAMP: 11.5km /7.1mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

The day starts around midnight with a light breakfast, and then last preparations for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00am, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861m between 4 and 5am. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you and all spectacular area surrounding you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some time for taking photos. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Barafu Huts campsite, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue your walk down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts campsite, then dinner and overnight at Mweka hut campsite.

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gain: 1233m
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2789m

Day 6: Mweka Hut campsite to Mweka Gate

Today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest this descent will take 3-4 hours. Then here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m

INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE

Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
Airport Transfers
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water and Full Board Meals
All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
Gate Transfers
Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder

EXCLUDED FROM TREKKING PACKAGE:

Flights
Visa fees
Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
Gamow Bag
Medication
Tips for porters and mountain crew (20% Industry Standard Recommended)
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain $150 per room

Price depends on the number of people in a group, The route and number of days, click book below and let us know the number of people in your group, the route you want and number of days, We will get back to you instantly with the exact price