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6 Days 5 Nights
Daily Tour
10 people
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The 6 days Umbwe Route itinerary on Kilimanjaro is unpopular with many climbers especially first-time climbers for many reasons. First of all, it is one of the most challenging routes on the mountain. it also does not properly offer acclimatization stages and issues attributed to fast ascent to high altitudes leading to low summit success rates in comparison to the other routes. The positive to this route though is that since it is seldomly used, you will have the mountain to yourself as the traffic of climbers is too low most of the year even in peak seasons.
Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft Distance: 11 km/7 miles Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Heath The first day of your 6-day Umbwe climb starts with a 50-minute journey to Machame Gate, where you’ll finish your registration paperwork. After that, we travel to Umbwe Gate via villages and coffee and banana fields. On a forestry track that weaves through the lush rainforest, the route ascends quickly. As we approach the slope between two rivers, which is encircled by massive trees, the trail narrows and steepens. Umbwe Camp is nestled in the thickets of forests.
Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft Distance: 6 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Heath The second day of the hike takes you through more rugged terrain with scant vegetation and moss-covered trees. As we climb higher, we have a better view of Kilimanjaro. As we reach Barranco Valley, the terrain flattens out. The trail descends from Umbwe Ridge to Barranco Camp via the unusual yet magnificent Senecio Forest.
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft Distance: 5 km/3 miles Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Day 3 of the Umbwe trek begins with a descent through a gully to the Great Barranco Wall’s base. Then we ascend the almost 900-foot cliff, which is non-technical but steep. We descend quickly into Karanga Valley from the top of the Barranco Wall, passing through a succession of hills and valleys. Karanga Camp is reached after a final difficult ascent. This is a shorter day designed to help you acclimate.
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft Distance: 4 km/2 miles Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert We leave Karanga and arrive at a juncture with the Mweka Trail. We proceed up to Barafu Hut’s difficult portion. You’ve finished the Southern Circuit, which provides views of the summit from a variety of perspectives. To prepare for the summit day, we set up camp, rest, and have an early dinner. From this vantage point, the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks may be seen.
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft Distance: 5 km/3 miles Hiking Time: 7-8 hours Habitat: Arctic We start our ascent to the peak quite early in the morning (about midnight). This is the trek’s most psychologically and physically demanding section. At this elevation and time of day, the wind and cold may be brutal. We climb for many hours in the dark, taking frequent but brief stops. You’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular dawn you’ll ever see rising over Mawenzi Peak around Stella Point (18,900 ft). Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent.
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft Distance: 12 km/7 miles Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: RainForest We now descend from the peak, heading straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, pausing for lunch at Barafu. The terrain is rough and difficult on the knees; hiking poles are recommended. Mweka Camp is located in the higher forest, so expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. We had our final meal on the mountain and a well-deserved rest later that evening.
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft Distance: 10 km/6 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest We continue our descent to Mweka Gate on our final day and obtain our summit credentials. It can be muddy and damp at lower levels. We go another hour from the gate to Mweka Village. At Mweka Village, a van will be waiting to take us back to the hotel in Moshi. This marks the end of our brief 6 day Umbwe Route trek on Mount Kilimanjaro
