6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Umbwe Route

The most difficult route up Kilimanjaro

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.

Highlights:

  • Most scenic route at Kilimanjaro
  • Climbing passage in the Barranco Wall, surefootedness required
  • Ascent over Umbwe route and descent over the Mweka route
  • Height profile does no positive effect on acclimatization

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Words from Our Clients

Super We did safari with the organisation. It is aVery nice experience. Many thanks to Lameck, our guide. He is the best. Recommend
Zwh K
Zwh K
2023-06-24
Great Experience We did the one day hike up the Kilimanjaro tour and was great! The tour guide picked us up on time and was very informative through the whole tour. Showed us different types of plants and interesting information. The lunch they provided was also hand made and pretty delicious! They picked us all the way up from Arusha to Moshi and was easy to communicate with other WhatsApp. I would definitely recommend booking with Kisambi Tours again!
maddy m
maddy m
2023-06-12
Excellent Moshi Excellent! I did Many city tours but this one really very good. Moshi is nice, the waterfall is wonderful and the coffee tour was very interesting and fun. The lunch was delicious. Congratulations for the staff and especially to Noela, the super pleasant guide.
sergio g
sergio g
2023-05-18
A nice experience of the hot springs Everything was well arranged by our friendly guide and drive, Furthermore we received additional information about the area from the guide on the way to and from the hot springs, which was nice.
Coen
Coen
2023-05-01
Fantastische service Wat een ervaring was de beklimming van de Kilimanjaro. In 1 woord: fantastisch! Dag ervoor werden we heel volledig gebriefd, onze materialen werden gecheckt en onze gids ging mee naar de verhuurwinkel voor een aantal zaken die we bewust niet mee hadden genomen. Super service en heel vriendelijk! Vanaf het eerste moment voel je je in goede handen. Dat was ook tijdens onze tocht naar boven zo. De gidsen (Ally en Nassoro) en daarnaast alle overige staff hebben ons fantastisch geholpen om de top te bereiken. Goede adviezen en iedere keer de juiste vertrektijd zodat we voor de regen in het volgende kamp waren 😉 Het was een ervaring om nooit te vergeten, dus mocht je Kili willen beklimmen, doe dat via Elisante en zijn team. Bedankt!
Tyscha W
Tyscha W
2023-04-03
Good experience I went to Mikumi national park with two friends. Everything was planned perfectly, the guide was very prepared. It was a very short trip (2 days only) but we saw all the animals in the park.
Gemma M
Gemma M
2023-01-07
Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha, Moshi, Materuni I was travelling with my parents and everything was very good.We started our journey from Bariadi, then Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Materuni, Arusha, Moshi, Maji moto For sure I recommend them
Noemi B
Noemi B
2022-11-23
Expérience inoubliable Nous avons effectué un voyage merveilleux au côté de l'équipe de Kisambi Tours. Nous avons effectué l'ascension du mont Meru avec notre super guide Tuliza pour apprécier un lever de soleil inoubliable sur le Kilimandjaro. Par la suite nous avons eu la chance de visiter les parcs de Tarangire, Serengeti et Ngorongoro crater. Notre guide Emanuel était particulièrement sympathique, professionnel et arrangeant, ses 25 ans d'expérience nous ont permis de découvrir les parcs de manière unique. Enfin nous avons terminé par 2 jours en immersion dans le village de Materuni pour conclure ce voyage inoubliable.
Antonin R
Antonin R
2022-10-17
Unforgettable amazing experience! Ήταν μια από τις καλύτερες εμπειρίες κατά την διαμονή μας στην Αφρική. Ο Dennis μας παρέλαβε από το ξενοδοχείο και μαζί κατευθυνθήκαμε στα χωριά Materuni που βρίσκονται στο όρος Kilimanjaro. Φθάνοντας εκεί και αφού θαυμάσαμε την θέα, κατευθυνθήκαμε προς ένα μέρος όπου είδαμε πως καλλιεργείται και παράγεται ο καφές Arabica. Η εμπειρία αυτή ήταν απίστευτη και θα μας μείνει πραγματικά αξέχαστη. Στην συνέχεια πήραμε το μεσημεριανό μας όλοι μαζί δοκιμάζοντας παραδοσιακά τοπικά πιάτα. Φεύγοντας από εκεί και μετά από περίπου 40 λεπτά περπάτημα μέσα στο δάσος, φθάσαμε σε ένα απίστευτο ειδυλλιακό τοπίο όπου αντικρίσαμε έναν τεράστιο καταρράκτη. Αφού θαυμάσαμε την ομορφιά της φύσης και βγάλαμε αρκετές φωτογραφίες, πήραμε τον δρόμο της επιστροφής. Κατά την διάρκεια της περιήγησής μας, ο Dennis μας εξηγούσε πολλά πράγματα για την κουλτούρα, τις συνήθειες, την θρησκεία και πολλά ακόμη ενδιαφέροντα πράγματα της ευρύτερης περιοχής. Επίσης ήταν πρόθυμος να μας βγάλει όμορφες αναμνηστικές φωτογραφίες και να πραγματοποιήσει κάθε επιθυμία που είχαμε. Αν κάποτε ξαναπηγαιναμε εκεί σίγουρα θα θέλαμε να μας ξεναγήσει πάλι ο Dennis.It was one of the amazing experiences we had during our stay in Tanzania! Dennis picked up us from the hotel and we drove to Materuni Villages! During the trip we made a stop in a local scholl because we asked for that so we can see how the schools there work and we gave some sweets to the children. We we arrived we saw the view which was amazing and then we walked to a place where we saw how coffee is produced. This experience was amazing and it will be unforgettable for us. We danced and we sang with the people and the children there and we were part from this family! We felt like home because they are so nice people and their hospitality was amazing. After that we ate all together local traditional dishes that they cooked for us and they gave us souvenirs from banana leaves and we bought also some nice handmade souvenirs from the store there. After the lunch we left and we walked 40 minutes through an amazing park - forest! This walk was amazing! Dennis was explaining us everything about their history, the plants, the environment there and their habits! During this walk we met local people and they were also so nice with us! After 40 minutes of walking we saw a huge waterfall and we couldn't believe how beautiful was that! Dennis made many nice photos of us and then we walked back to the car! We recommend 100% this tour with Dennis! And if we have the chance to go back to this place it will be our pleasure to meet him again and enjoy more time with hime! Thank Dennis! We already miss you!
Anna Chamilothori
Anna Chamilothori
2022-10-16
Kilimanjaro - Machame 7 Day Elisante (owner) and the whole team at Kisambi tours were fantastic from start to finish. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough for a Kilimanjaro climb.From quote stage Elisante was clear, helpful and professional (and the price was great). He allowed us to choose any route and date which meant my friend and I could choose a full moon summit as we had hoped. In the lead up to the trip he was also helpful and gave me great confidence.Once in Tanzania he arranges airport pickups at the standard rate and can organise accommodation and other activities. The day before the climb we met for gear check and briefing, and again I was very impressed at how professional and helpful they were. Driving us to gear rental shops and a cafe, and also arranging a day trip to Materuni village and water falls (amazing) for us. You are very well taken care of with Kisambi!On the mountain the team could not have been better. The trip was the height of luxury, better than some hotels I’ve stayed in! Comfortable beds, food so good that we thought the chef must have been a magician, and two highly experienced guides at our side through it all. We felt that the whole team really wanted us to succeed and that they were all doing everything they could for us to. Incredible people, each and every one.When the climb was difficult on the summit night, our guides high experience became very clear. They make it look so easy and with their help, we made it. I can’t imagine having climbed it with anyone else, they were incredible.If you’re considering a Kilimanjaro climb (or any tourist activity in Moshi) then Elisante is the man to speak to. I have full confidence in recommending him and will be giving him a call when I eventually return. Thank you Elisante, and thank you to our whole team!
Brian O'Mahony
Brian O'Mahony
2022-10-13

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Tour Plan

The day begins with a drive of approx. 50 minutes to Machame Gate where we complete the registration formalities. After that we have a short transfer through villages, coffee and banana plantations to Umbwe Gate, where you will meet our crew. The steep and partly slippery trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest, followed by heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe Camp is perched between trees and thick undergrowth. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
The first section of the trail continues following the ridge on rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, then you will arrive at Barranco Camp which is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe route as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias
Today’s trek is somewhat shorter, so we can start a little later and enjoy the sun. First it travels through the Barranco Wall, where there is some light climbing where you must also use your hands to help. After you have reached the upper end, you can take a deep breath and once again enjoy the view of the Kibo. The next part of today‘s route will take you through small streams and the Karanga River to Karanga Camp where you will spend the night in your tent. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast, you will set off for today’s destination, the Barafu Camp. The hike leads you through a barren landscape, and after some hours you reach the camp. For the rest of the day you can relax because tomorrow is summit day! After dinner, we will have a very early bedtime as tomorrow will be exciting, but also exhausting and very long. Try to sleep a bit! Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
You will be woken around midnight. To strengthen yourself, you will first have a hot coffee or tea and a small snack. Using the light of your headlight, the next few hours are steadily upwards. After approximately 5-7 hours, in the early morning light, you will reach the crater rim at the Stella Point. After a short rest you will continue for about an hour to the highest point, the Uhuru Peak. Finally, it is done, and the rewards are fantastic views in all directions. The shadow that the Kilimanjaro casts over Mount Meru in the morning is a special experience. After you have enjoyed the summit, and taken a few memorable photos, it is time for the descent. At the Barafu Camp you have a short rest, where your mountain team will greet you with a hot drink and snacks. Afterwards, you will slowly go to Mweka Camp, where you will spend the last night at the mountain. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
After breakfast, and strengthened by the increasingly oxygen dense air, you will begin a leisurely walk towards the Mweka Gate. The trail continues through the dense rainforest, and after about 2-3 hours you will reach the gate. At this point it will be time to say goodbye to your team. Once you arrive at the hotel, you can finally enjoy a well-deserved shower and celebrate your summit success. Breakfast; Lunch
Prices/included services
Pricing for the Kilimanjaro Climb via Umbwe Route 6 days (per person)
1 Person 2 Persons 3-4 Persons 5-6 Persons 7 Persons and more
1860 USD 1650 USD 1490 USD 1470 USD 1430 USD
  Included Services:
  • Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary | Professional, English-speaking guide | Mountain crew (cook, summit porter& porters) | Overnight stays in tents | Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, chairs, etc.) | Meals according to the itinerary | Drinking water, tea & coffee | Oxygen tank and oximeters | All national park fees | Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back
Not included services:
  • Alcohol and soft drinks | Sleeping bag | Flights | Visa fees | Tips | Personal spending money for souvenirs | Travel insurance | Airport Transfer | Pre and Post climb Hotel Accommodation

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