Private Tour
Mt Kilimanjaro Trek, 6 Days - Umbwe Route
Overview
Available languages
144 hours
Mobile ticket
The Umbwe Route is the least used, least crowded route on the mountain. For good reason, it is also the most difficult route on the mountain. Umbwe is a steep, constant, straight climb to the top.
Umbwe is mostly avoided because the ascent profile does not give climbers much time to adjust to the altitude. The success rate is very low.
The route takes six days minimum to complete, although seven days is recommended. The descent is down Mweka, on the south-east side of the mountain. Umbwe is not as scenically varied as Machame, Lemosho and Shira, because the path up and down is nearby.
The Umbwe is ideal for those who want a challenging climb, and are very confident in their ability trek over consistently steep slopes. Also, Umbwe is for those who are experienced at altitude and thus are confident that the punishing schedule of Umbwe will not impede their ability to adjust to the altitude. Umbwe is also for those who want a secluded hike.
Additional Info
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Drive to Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Accommodations
Overnight at Umbwe Cave Camp
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Elevation: 1660m To 2850m | Distance: 11km/7mi | Hiking Time: 5-6 Hours Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
Accommodations
Overnight at Barranco Camp
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Elevation: 2850m To 4000m | Distance: 6km/4mi | Trekking Time: 4-5 Hours After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Accommodations
Overnight at Karanga Camp
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Mount Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 4000m To 4050m | Distance: 5km/3mi | Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours 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.
Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Accommodations
Overnight at Barafu Camp
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Mount Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 4050m To 4700m | Distance: 4km/2mi | Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours 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.
Barafu Camp; to Summit Uhuru Peak, then Descend to Mweka Camp
Accommodations
Overnight at Mweka camp
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Mount Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 4700m To 5895m | Down To 3090m | Distance: 5km/3mi Up / 13km/8mi Down 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.
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, then drive to Moshi
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Elevation: 3090m To 1680m | Distance: 10km/6mi | Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours 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).
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
Fresh water for Drinking & Worm Water for washing up daily
Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summit aid)
Hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included
Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress)
Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi and Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport
Visas, Flights, Health & Travel Insurances
Gratuities
Items of personal Nature
Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania
Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet
Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
Meals & drinks not specified and snacks
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Mt Kilimanjaro Trek, 6 Days - Umbwe Route
Pickup included
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
an unforgettable trek up Mt Kilimanjaro
380pascalt,,Mar 15, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Umbwe route to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, and we had a fantastic experience. Our guides, porters and cook were all great and took exceptionally good care of us. Although the trek was configured as a 6 day itinerary, we were able to shorten it by several days, as we were experienced hikers, and our guides were happy to come up with an updated plan that better fit our fitness level and preferences. We brought our own gear, except we used the sleeping pads that were provided. The food was excellent, and we were very well fed. Our main guide, Shafi, was excellent -- knowledgeable, friendly, and good at keeping us informed and in the loop. The trek itself was incredible -- definitely a top lifetime experience for me. I would 100% recommend Intrepid Explorer. I would go with them again.
Phenomenal experience!
K148XHkevinb,,Mar 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was fantastic from start to finish. Wence (the owner) catered the tour to our preferences and we had a great team of guides, porters, and a cook. This tour comes with free airport pickup and drop-off as well as a night at a bed and breakfast on both the front and back end of the trip. My friend and I are both fairly strong hikers and our guide (Shafii - also highly recommended) was able to work with us on a faster trip with less down time, basically hiking through a few of the camps. I only suggest this for folks who aren't affected by the altitude. The porters were great - I was able to chat with them a bit about football (soccer), and the food was amazing.... And ridiculously plentiful. I've never been offered so much food in my life. The guides were careful, helpful, and prepared us each night for the next day. We brought most of our own gear - but what we borrowed was also great. Overall, an A+ experience - I'm already trying to plan a return trip on a different route with intrepid explorer
Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route - 3days hike
judymJ4569IP,,Mar 11, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00They organized for us the expedition well and supported us until the end. Their service was excellent. I would recommend them to any guests looking to climb Kilimanjaro
Epic, Memorable, Recommended
TIMOTHY M,,Mar 3, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very well organized. From travelling logistics, pre and post-hike accomodation and to the eventual hike. The guides were awesome, ensuring everyone was well supported to maximise on the hike. Thanks to the chef, always looking forward to the special night meals.
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Operated by Intrepid Explorer Tanzania