8 day climbing adventure

Umbwe route

Overview

The Umbwe Route has a well-deserved reputation for being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the rapid 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 a 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.

Join us for an extraordinary adventure on the Umbwe Route, where every step brings you closer to the summit of Africa’s highest peak!

$1,800 Per Person

Price:

Difficulty:

Expert

    • Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport

    • Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park

    • Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel

    • All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee, and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority)

    • One night at Salinero hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant

    • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Mountain Hard Ware Tents)

    • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike

    • All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost; All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water)

    • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats

    • All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery, and cutlery)

    • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters

    • GPS-tracking service

    • Complete medical kits

    • Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 10+ years of successful mountaineering experience

    • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)

    • Airline tickets

    • Visa fee

    • Personal gear rentals

    • Tips for the mountain crew

    • Mountaineering insurance

Itinerary

  • Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation at the hotel/lodge or hostel. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check, and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

  • Departing from Moshi, driving to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here. The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

    • Distance: 9.6km/6mi

    • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

    • Habitat: Moorland

    • Elevation: 1651m/5417ft to 2944m/9659ft

    • Altitude Gained: 1293m

  • After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on a steep ascending path along the Umbwe ridge as it descends slightly to Barranco Camp situated in the valley. Temperatures begin to drop.

    • Distance: 4.75km/3mi

    • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

    • Habitat: Moorland

    • Elevation: 2944m/9659ft to 3986m/13,077ft

    • Altitude Gained: 1042m

  • 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.

    • Distance: 5.2km/3mi

    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    • Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

    • Altitude Gained: 48m

  • We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

    • Distance: 3.3km/2mi

    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    • Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

    • Altitude Gained: 628m

    Acclimatization hike:

    Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Chosen Point (4,200 m)

    Hiking distance: 2 km

    Hiking time: 1 hour

  • 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 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. An overnight at Mweka Camp.

    • 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

    Acclimatization hike:

    Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)

    Hiking distance: 2 km

    Hiking time: 1 hour

  • 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 village 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

  • As your adventure comes to an end, it's time to say goodbye. Check out of your accommodation by 11 am, and enjoy a seamless transfer to the airport provided by one of our friendly Morning Glory team members. We hope you had an unforgettable experience and look forward to welcoming you back soon!