Umbwe Route

The Umbwe Route is widely regarded as the hardest trail, a tough vertical slog through the jungle, in places using the tree roots as makeshift rungs on a ladder. Because of the high risks involved with sleeping at Arrow Glacier camp and summiting via the Western Breach, all our Umbwe route hikes are re-routed, to join with the Machame route from night 2 on the mountain. On special request, we can assist with Umbwe route hikes attempting to summit using the Western Breach/ Arrow Glacier path and overnight at the Crater camp. Please note this can only be arranged through our higher-quality Standard packages and a supplement rate will apply. The main itinerary difference between the Umbwe 6-day and 7-day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Barranco camp.

Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel

You will be picked up by the staff of Afrima Luxury Travel from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your accommodation in Arusha. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel.

Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1614m) – Umbwe Cave camp (2850m)

Hiking time: 6 Hours •Distance: Approximately 10.3 km •Habitat: Forest (Montane)After breakfast, you will be driven to the Machame gate where registration formalities will be completed. From there, we proceed to the Umbwe Gate (1641m), passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rainforest. 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, a glimpse of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Camp.

Day 3: Umbwe Cave camp (2850m) – Barranco camp (3985m)

Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 6.3 km •Habitat: Moorland 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, you will have sightings of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From 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: B,L,D

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco camp (3985m) – Karanga Camp (4040m)

Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 6 km •Habitat: Moorland / Semi desert After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall, we make our way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp.

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga camp (4040m) – Barafu camp (4681m)

Hiking time: 4 hours •Distance: Approximately 3.4km •Habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast, we turn left up the ridge, and the route ascends 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Barafu Camp.

Day 6: Summit Attempt- Mweka

Barafu camp (4681m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3090m)

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp •Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Most climbers find the 6-hour walk to Stella Point as the most mentally and physically challenging. At Stella Point (5739m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions but it’s best not to stop for too long as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). 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.

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Barafu Camp.

Day 7: Mweka camp (3090m) – Mweka Gate (1641m)

Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours •Habitat: Forest •Distance: Approximately 8.5 km It will be a short 4 to 6 hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make the descent longer than planned. At Mweka Gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) were issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) received gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch. Afterward, we drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebration.

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel.