6 Days Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Trekking
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The 6 days Umbwe Route itinerary on Kilimanjaro is unpopular with many climbers especially first-time climbers for many reasons. First of all, it is one of the most challenging routes on the mountain. It also does not properly offer acclimatization stages and issues attributed to fast ascent to high altitudes leading to low summit success rates in comparison to the other routes. We recommend this route to experienced hikers that have the stamina and ability to acclimatize quickly as Umbwe route may be difficult and demanding.
Trip Highlights
- The 6 days Umbwe route trail which is a rather short, steep, and direct climb, begins from the south of Mount Kilimanjaro and on reaching the Barranco Camp, the trail deviates eastwards and crosses beneath the Southern Icefield via the Southern Circuit trail before approaching the summit, Uhuru Peak from Barafu camp.
- To descend Mount Kilimanjaro using the Umbwe Route, you will take a different route that is used by most routes on the Mountain. Mweka route is the trail that is used to descend Mount Kilimanjaro for hikers climbing the mountain using Umbwe Route.
- Enduimet Adventure Safaris offers Umbwe as a six-day itinerary. The seven-day itinerary option adds an acclimatization day on the third day at Barranco Camp.
Total distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
In the morning you will leave your hotel as we drive you to Umbwe gate. After arriving, and finishing registration of your climb, the porters and guides will make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Umbwe Cave Camp. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places, so be very careful. Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view.
Total distance:Â 7km
Hiking Time (approx.):Â 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we continue our Kilimanjaro trekking adventure on Umbwe route. We head out towards Barranco Camp. This day entails walking on a fairly steep area in the forest along a sharp ridge before the path flattens close to Barranco. This stretch of the climb is also fairly short with a steep incline of 1000m, so walking slowly is also very essential to avoid altitude problems. Following lunch the path gets rockier and vegetation changes as the path steadily climbs before (finally!) a short downhill to arrive at Barranco Camp.
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Distance: 4km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.
Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6-8 hours for descending to Mweka Camp
Distance: 5 km ascent and 11 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim, we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short stop for taking photos, we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past the Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Total distance: 5km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at the village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
This Tour Includes
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at Parkview Inn or Kilimanjaro wonders Hotel
- Mountain Equipment, Sleeping tents, Kitchen tents, Porters, Guides and Chef
- Hut fees
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
This Tour Excludes
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Tanzania Visa
- Gratuity
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
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