UMBWE ROUTE TO CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Umbwe route up Kilimanjaro is the steepest and least used trail on
Kilimanjaro. It is a quiet route as a result but has a very rapid ascent making it suited only to experienced climbers. The route through the forest is also steep and
along the route are sections up steep narrow ridges.
As with most other routes on Kilimanjaro, you sleep tents overnight
on Umbwe. Then the route heads directly to Barranco Camp where it meets up with Lemosho, Shira and Machame Routes.
It heads from Barranco
Camp up Barranco wall through the Karanga Valley before climbing towards Barafu Hut. A good idea is to
tag on a further day at Karanga Camp to acclimitise better.
Descent is made via the Mweka route
Overview
Day-1: Arrive
Day-2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Day-3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco (3950m)
Day-4: Acclimatisation Day
Day-5: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4550m)
Day-6: Barafu - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)
Day-7: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
Day-8: Depart
Fast Facts
Yes you do. We (Nomadic Adventures) do not allow anyone to climb with us unless they have adequate travel insurance. Adequate, means you must be covered for
1) trekking or hiking - this may sound strange, but many insurance list that as an exclusion.
2) altitude up to 6,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard option and often limit it to 3500m or less.
3) Sprains strains and physiotherapy - yes, many insurers exclude this, though ironically, this is what you will most likely need cover for.
4) personal accident - this is the horrible part of insurance. Yes, you need to be covered in the case of death. We are often told by clients - "if anything happens to me, just leave me there." Bodies need to be brought home or laid to rest overseas, and this can run into thousands of dollars, creating a huge burden on family members.
We will assist in helping you provide good cover.
If you need cover or simply a quote, follow the
details herewith:. Once you have done your initial quote, you will need to upgrade your cover to include altitudes up to 6000m.
Towards the bottom of the page you will see a
section called, Options: Upgrade your cover.
Click the link called 'View Adventure Sports Benefits'. A blue pop up screen will open. Look for the level of cover required for 'trekking to 6,000 meters' or 'hiking to 6,000 meters'. Depending on your country it is usually a level 1 or 2. Note: we are not insurance experts and it's your responsibility
to ensure you have correct and adequate cover. If you live in South Africa, we have other cover options
A link to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park website
Kilimanjaro National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Acute mountain sickness: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Detailed Itinerary
Day-1: Arrive Kilimanjaro
Day-2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Elevation: 1800 metres to 2940 metresDistance: 8 kilometres
Trek time: 5 hours
Environment: Montane Forest
After breakfast we drive to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with banana and coffee plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. As you start your trek along the Umbwe Route into the forest, temperature scan rise to about 35 degrees C, but as you quickly climb in altitude, they will progressively drop by about 1 degree for each 200m climbed. The paths can also be quite muddy. The route follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It narrows and becomes steeper as you climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The path offers spectacular views of deep gorges and glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Day-3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco (3950m)
Elevation: 2940 metres to 3950 metresDistance: 6 kilometres
Trek time: 6 hours
Environment: Heathland
Shortly after leaving 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 and as it ascends through the heath, the ridge narrows and sharpens quite quickly. As you gain altitude, the various vegetation zones change. Sighting of Lammergeyer are quite common. 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.
Day-4: Acclimatisation Day
This day will be spent at Barranco to aid with acclimatisation. You can spend the day walking around to explore the surrounding areas such as the Barranco wall, take in sights of the magnificent Scenecios, or just rest.Day-5: Barranco Huts (3860m) to Barafu Huts (4550)
Elevation: 3860 metres to 4550 metresDistance: 13 kilometres
Trek time: About 7 hours
This morning you start the slow climb up Umbwe Route to the well known Barranco Wall, bringing you out below Heim Glacier. After taking in the incredible views you trek along the route to Karanga Valley which takes you through three ridges and valleys, before coming out at Karanga Camp. This however is not your camp, and you climb another 2-3 hours up to your next rocky narrow camp, at Barafu. Today is a very long day, but above you, 1345m up is the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Day-6: Barafu (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Elevation: 4600 metres to 5895 metres to 3100 metresHighest point: 5895 metres (Uhuru Peak)
Distance: 30 kilometres (7 kilometres ascent, 13 kilometres descent)
Trek time: 13 to 16 hours (6 to 8 hours ascent, 7 to 8 hours descent)
Environment: Stone scree / ice-capped summit
Rising before midnight, you start your climb into the night in a North westerly direction. The route will take you to Stella Point (5685) on Kibo crater rim. It can take anything from 5 - 6 hours and is physically challenging. After a short rest at Stella Point the trek to Kilimanjaro summit is another altitude gain of 200m, taking anywhere from 1-2 hours. After taking pictures at Kilimanjaro summit board Uhuru Peak, you hike down to Barafu and then down towards Mweka hut (3100m)
Day-7: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
Elevation: 3100 metres to 1800 metresDistance: 8 kilometres
Trek time: 3 to 4 hours
Environment: Montane forest
This morning is a short 3-hour scenic hike to Mweka. Those climbers who got to Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates for your Umbwe Route climb on Kilimanjaro.
End of services
What's Included
Price includes
Return Kilimanjaro airport transfers
Return transfers to Kilimanjaro park gates
Three meals a day on trek except for last day of trek
All park entry fees
All porter, guide and cook fees
Kilimanjaro emergency rescue fees
Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Park permit for 6 days
Camping fees for the Umbwe Route
Tents on Mt Kilimanjaro
Dining tent, chairs, utensils etc.
Sleeping mattresses for Mt Kilimanjaro
Two night's bed and breakfast at Moshi Springlands Hotel twinshare
Price Excludes
Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Tips, baggage and porterage
Laundry
Bottled water
Meals other than those indicated
Visa's and vaccinations
International flights
Costs for giving up the expedition (no refunds applicable)
Costs incurred for returning to the hotel earlier than expected (From $70 per night)
Pros and Cons
It is a rapid ascent to high elevations very quickly so the risk of altitude sickness is high, unless you have pre-acclimatised on a another trek
Very quiet seldom used route for the first few days
Suggestions
Include the extra at Karanga Camp if you want a longer slower ascent
Route Profile Map
Book your Umbwe Climb
40 minutes drive to Machame Gate
Scenic but steep
Good for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Lemosho and Shira
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Machame Route
3 hour drive to Park Gate
Scenic and quiet
Good for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Lemosho and Machame
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Shira Itinerary
3 hour drive to Park Gate
Scenic, quiet, longer approach
Good for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Machame and Shira routes
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Lemosho Route
4 hours of driving to Park Gate
Very quiet
Need to add a day for acclimatisation
Starts near Kenyan Border
Route joins Marangu
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Marangu Route
Rongai Route
4 Hour drive to Shira Gate
Very Quiet
Less scenic but longer approach
Start higher but route is good for acclimatisation
Route joins Rongai and Marangu Routes
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Marangu Route
Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
30 minutes road to Marangu Gate
Busy route
Less scenic - same ascent and descent
Need another day for acclimatisation
Route joins Northern Circuit and Rongai Route
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Huts
Descend via Marangu Route
Marangu Route
These treks are designed for people with less time available or who do not want to go for summit. They range from 1 to 4 days on the mountain
Kilimanjaro Short Treks
Mt Meru
Mt Meru is a great pre-acclimatisation trek before Kilimanjaro or a stand alone trek. These treks are 3-4 days
Mt Meru page
There are several options to tag on a safari tour in either Tanzania or Kenya after your Kilimanjaro trek. The shortest safari is 3 days up to around 9 or longer if you prefer.
Safari Tours
Frequently Asked Questions