Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route has a reputation for being the most challenging route on Kilimanjaro. It’s the shortest and steepest of the Kilimanjaro routes, and accordingly has a poor acclimatization profile. Pre-acclimatization is recommended for those who choose to trek this route. The Umbwe approaches the summit from the south and camping is the only available accommodation option.
Ask about this journey ↗Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route has a reputation for being the most challenging route on Kilimanjaro. It’s the shortest and steepest of the Kilimanjaro routes, and accordingly has a poor acclimatization profile. Pre-acclimatization is recommended for those who choose to trek this route. The Umbwe approaches the summit from the south and camping is the only available accommodation option.
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A selection of images from our Tanzania journeys. Ask our team for current photos of your specific route and accommodation.
Your day-by-day outline gives you a feel for the pace. The final plan can be adjusted around your dates and interests.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to Hotel Moshi. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Moshi (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route. Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft Distance: 11km/7mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp. Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft Distance: 6km/4mi Walking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft Distance: 5km/3mi Hiking Time: 34 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft Distance: 4km/2mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain. Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After breakfast we continue the descent 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 probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft Distance: 10km/6mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Meals Plan: Breakfast
Use this route as a starting point. We’ll confirm the exact parks, stops and transfer times when we plan your dates.
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Your route determines the overnight stops and facilities on the mountain.
A relaxed place to prepare before your climb and unwind after the descent.
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