6 Days Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail follows the southern circuit to the summit. The descent is done via the Mweka route.

Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are also confident of their ability to acclimatize to altitude.

Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low.

The route is offered at a minimum of six days, and seven days is preferred when attempting to climb using Umbwe. The seven day itinerary includes a rest day at Barranco Camp.

LONDOROSSI GATE(2,100 METERS) STARING POINT (2,389/7838FT ) MTI MKUBWA CAMP(2,785/9137FT)

Altitude gained: 396m
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first-day trek to MtiMkubwa Camp (2,785 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp.

Distance: ~4.8km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest

Umbwe Gate (1800m) | Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)

- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) | Barranco camp (3950m) 
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands
Shortly after leaving the camp the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Barranco camp (3950m) | Lava Tower (4630m) | Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m)

Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro’s little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Arrow Glacier (4800m) | Crater (5700m)
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Distance: About 15 km’s
- Habitat: Semi desert/ Snowfields
From the Arrow Glacier camp steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater floor (5700m). This day will be the toughest challenge by far. After snowfalls the route can become icy and in these conditions an ice axe or ski stick may be required. When reaching the crater rim, you will be astonished by the view of snow and glaciers. Visible to you left is the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier in front of you. Walk past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated at the crater rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1 ½ hour). The Ash Pit is 340m across, 120m deep and is one of the most perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold as snow might occur. Be one of a fortunate few to spend a night in the inner crater of Kilimanjaro.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation

2-peopleper tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

SUMMIT ATTEMPT Crater (5700m) | Uhuru Peak (5895m) | Mweka (3100m )

Hiking time: 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak . Time spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk to Barafu camp from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest, before heading down to Millennium camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be provided as well as drinking water.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

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Trek Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft) to Mweka Gate (1630m / 5,348ft)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest 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 (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.

Distance
12.1km / 7.5mi

Duration
6 – 7 hours

Meals
Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Lindrin Lodge or Panama Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable

*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Meals
Breakfast Included.