Umbwe Route

Umbwe Route

Duration: 6 Days
Cost: $1,570
Start Dates: Anytime! Low Season is April 1 – June 15 and November. Contact us for low season discounts.
Distance: 81km/50 miles
Group Size: 1-5. Contact us for larger group discounts.
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Tour Description

The Umbwe Route is the least crowded route on the mountain. However, the rewards of isolation come with a price. The Umbwe is also considered the most difficult route to the summit. From the very first day, the terrain is steep and challenging. Trekking poles are highly recommend on this route to keep your balance and help you climb the steep, slippery slopes in the forested section of the trail.

The continuous climb does not offer climbers ample opportunity to acclimatize. As such, many climbers stay away from this route. But if you are extremely fit, confident in your abilities to acclimatize at a rapid rate and you prefer to climb a secluded and quiet route, then this may be the perfect option for you. You of course have the option to add an extra acclimatization day on to this schedule if you like.

What’s Included:

  • National Park Gate fees
  • Transportation from Moshi to Umbwe Gate and back
  • Camping fees and tents
  • Guides and porters
  • Guide and porter salaries
  • Rescue fees
  • All meals while camping
  • Tents, sleeping pads
  • 2 nights accommodation at Springlands Hotel
  • Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro airport

What’s Not Included:

  • Personal equipment on the mountain (contact us for rental equipment)
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Lunch and dinners while in Moshi
  • Any personal expenses such as Visa, airport taxes, beverages, food etc.
  • Travel insurance

Tour Itinerary

Moshi to Umbwe Gate (1,800m) to Umbwe Camp (2,800m)
You will be picked up from the hotel in Moshi and take a one hour drive to the Umbwe Village. Just above the village lies the Umbwe Gate and the start of your challenging journey to the top of the mountain. After about an hour, you will pass a sign board greeting you to yourself. This is where you will have to dig deep and find the strength to climb and scramble up steep sections of rock and tree roots. But before you know it you will arrive at a camp hidden by the dense forest above you. This is where you will rest and recover for the next day on the mountain.
Umbwe Camp (2,800m) to Barranco Camp (3,950m)
The route does not get any easier today. It continues steeply out of the forest and into the alpine desert. As you leave the forest you will find yourself on an exposed ridge with Uhuru Peak towering above you. Soon after that you will arrive at Barranco Camp and connect with the Machame route.
Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Karanga Camp (4,200m)
The day begins with an exciting scramble up the steep Barranco wall. At the top of the wall, the route then heads into the Karanga Valley across the ridges and valleys before arriving at Karanga Camp. Many people chose to skip this camp altogether and make it a 6-day trek by walking onward to Barafu Camp. That option is also available to you, but we recommend the 7-day itinerary, as it not only gives you an extra day to acclimatize, it also gives you an extra day away from civilization. This is an excellent opportunity to just relax at camp, take in the beauty of your surroundings and enjoy the views of the roof of Africa.
Karanga Camp (4,200m) to Barafu Camp (4,600m)
Today will be a short day that will give you plenty of time to relax at Barafu Camp and prepare for the summit day.
Barafu Camp (4,600m) to the summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m) back down to Mweka Camp (3,100m) You will wake up at around midnight to begin your journey to the summit. After a quick breakfast, you strap on your headlamp and head in to the night. For many people, the first six hours of today are the most challenging of the entire climb. The steep scramble up to Stella Point at 5,685m is demanding but extremely rewarding. From Stella Point, the route becomes relatively flat all the way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. After a short stop here, you will begin the long journey back down to Mweka Camp, passing Barafu Camp to pick up the rest of your gear. This will be your longest day yet, but rest assured, you will look back on this day knowing that you accomplished something amazing!
Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (2,000m) and pick up back to Moshi! Today will be a short walk to the gate where you will get your summit certificate. From there, you will be picked up and driven back to the hotel in Moshi to relax and bask in your personal glory.
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