Umbwe route kilimanjaro
- Steep, short route with lower success rate
- Poor acclimatization because of rapid ascent
- Very remote and quiet
- Fully catered camping only
Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route.
The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize.
Recommended Trip Length Accomodation
6 Days / 5 Nights Camping
Umbwe Itinerary.
Day 1 Umbwe Gate (1800m) – Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
Hiking time: 5h
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. 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, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Day 2 Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) – Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 6h
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, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley.
Day 3 Barranco camp (3950m) – Lava Tower (4630m) – Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m)
Hiking time: 5h
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro’s little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. Tent camp on day three of the Umbwe route.From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared.
Day 4 Arrow Glacier (4800m) – Crater (5700m)
Hiking time: 5h
From the Arrow Glacier camp steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater floor (5700m). This day will be the toughest challenge by far. After snowfalls the route can become icy and in these conditions an ice axe or ski stick may be required. When reaching the crater rim, you will be astonished by the view of snow and glaciers. Visible to you left is the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier in front of you. Walk past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated at the crater rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1 ½ hour). The Ash Pit is 340m across, 120m deep and is one of the most perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold as snow might occur.
Day 5 (Summit attempt) Crater (5700m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m
Hiking time: 2h to Uhuru, 7-8h to Mweka
You will rise very early in the morning, and after some early breakfast you shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Time spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. Group of climbers at Uhuru after successfully summiting via Umbwe route.
Day 6 Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
A view of Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance on day six of the Umbwe route.
Hiking time: 3h
At Mweka Gate you receive your certificate of summit, after signing the register, and if you’ve completed the climb successfully. From Mweka Gate you walk to Mweka Village, a one hour walk through 3kms of muddiness. You receive a hot lunch at the Mweka Village, and are taken back to Moshi/Arusha, where you can celebrate your summit, and have that long-overdue hot shower.