The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast 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 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.
What is the Success Rate of Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route?
Data for the Umbwe route is lacking. We estimate that the success rate of the 6 day Umbwe route is approximately 50%. The 7 day Umbwe route has a success rate of about 90%.
Best time to visit: June – October—December, January, February, March
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Vicmos tours & safari guide will be there waiting for you to pick you up then drops you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You will meet your guide on this day of arrival at 05;00 PM. /17;00 hrs. for your mountain climb briefing, where he briefs you and offers advice on what to wear, what to pack, and other important tips to make your climb as comfortable as possible.
Dinner & Overnight; Lindrin Lodge /Maridadi hotel/Salinero Hotel/ something similar (as per final booking accommodation allocation)
Activities : Trekking
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation; Camp
Activities : Trekking
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation; Camp
Activities : Trekking
Extra Day for Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 0km/0mi
Hiking Time: 0 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation; Camp
Activities : Trekking
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.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 34 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation; Camp
Activities : Trekking
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.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation; Camp
Activities : Trekking
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 a 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.
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
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Activities : Trekking
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 gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
Activities : Trekking
Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or Zanzibar. Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!
Activities : Trekking
| No of pax | Age Limit | Price per pax (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Above 12 years | $ 2913 / Adult( With Tax ) |
* 20% Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
The VICMOS Tours & Safaris Limited is a trusted Tanzanian tour operator specializing in customized safaris, mountain expeditions, beach escapes, and unique travel experiences across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and beyond. With operational hubs in Kilima Know more..
Birding Tour for Corbett and Uttarakhand
Corbett - Pangot - Kumaon - Sundargarh - UP East - Sahibabad
9 Days / 8 Nights
Honeymoon Tour To New Zealand - Colors Of New Zealand
Auckland - Rotorua - Queenstown - Christchurch
9 Days / 8 Nights
New Delhi - Katra - Anantnag - Srinagar - Ganderbal - Baramulla
9 Days / 8 Nights
Ahmedabad - Bhuj - Kutch - Dwarka - Gir Somnath - Rajkot - Sasangir
9 Days / 8 Nights
4 Night Phuket + 2 Night Krabi + 2 Night Bangkok Honeymoon Special Package
Phuket - Bangkok - Krabi
9 Days / 8 Nights
11 Days 10 Nights Ultimate Kilimanjaro & Safari Adventure
Ngorongoro - Moshi - Arusha
11 Days / 10 Nights
