Umbwe Route

The Umbwe Route is the hardest and least popular trail on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The reason why Umbwe is avoided is that it is a tough vertical slog that is poor for acclimatization. It starts with a steep jungle path up to Barranco. Once reaching the Southern Circuit, trekkers continue north-west to tackle Kibo from the west and the more difficult Arrow Glacier/Western Breach Route. Or they can head east round to Barafu and approach the summit from there.

The entire hike up and down takes a minimum of five days but six days minimum is infinitely times better.

The Umbwe Route is not recommended.

DAY 1:  UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Total Distance: 11km/7 miles
Starting Elevation: 1,614m/5,595ft
Final Elevation: 2,899m/9,514ft
Habitat: Heath

After breakfast you will be driven to the Machame gate for paperwork then transferred to Umbwe Gate (1,641m), passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest that is typically muddy. It narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, through huge trees. The trail offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro in the distance.

DAY 2:  UMBWE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Starting Elevation: 2,899m/9,514ft
Final Elevation: 3,975m/to 13,044 ft
Habitat: Heath

Upon leaving camp the forest begins is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The trail continues along a narrow, spectacular ridge. The path then flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp.

DAY 3:  BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,975m/to 13,044 ft
Final Elevation: 3,994m/13,106 ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After spending a night at the Barranco Wall, you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which turns out to be easier than anticipated. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp.

DAY 4:  KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,994m/13,106 ft
Final Elevation: 4,672m/15,331 ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

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 ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.

DAY 5:  BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Total Distance: 5 km /3 miles
Starting Elevation: 4,672m/15,331 ft
Final Elevation: 5,895m/19,341 ft
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Total Distance: 12 km /7 miles
Starting Elevation: 5,895m/19,341 ft
Final Elevation: 3,067m/10,065 ft
Habitat: Rain Forest

You will get up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. Heading in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. The hike down is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest.

DAY 6:  MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,067m/10,065 ft
Final Elevation: 1,639m/5,380 ft
Habitat: Rain Forest

At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike.