Plan Your Trip Now

Umbwe Route

Home
Umbwe Route

Tanzania

6 Days Umbwe Route

Duration:

6 Days

Tour Type:

Cultural Tourism

Transportation:

Private AC Van

Description:

This route is shorter and steeper than the Machame Route, making it a more direct ascent up Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon reaching Barranco Hut, climbers join the Machame Route and continue the trek together toward the summit. The descent follows the Mweka Trail, offering a different perspective of the mountain.

Due to its short and direct nature, this route allows limited time for acclimatization and is therefore not recommended for climbers with little or no high-altitude experience. It is best suited for experienced trekkers who are confident in handling rapid altitude gain.

Include/Not Include:

  • Park fees
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
  • A professional Drive/Guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT Roundtrip airport transfer
  • All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Camping Equipment
  • Porterage
  • Flight tickets
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Alcohol drinks
  • Rescue Fee
  • Climbing Gear
  • Sleeping Bag

Tour Plan:

Day 1: Umbwe gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Elevation (ft): 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft

Distance: 11km/7miles

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route. Also you can see some wildlife, including Colobus monkeys.

Halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Bivouac Camp (2940m) in the late afternoon or early evening.

Accommodation: Budget Lodging- Umbwe Cave Camp
Elevation (ft): 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 6km/4 miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

After breakfast, we will leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to barranco camp. In the moorland you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. As you ascent, the trail provides a spectacular view of mt. Kilimanjaro.

The trail then flattens and descends into the barranco valley until you reach barranco camp. At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the western breach and the great barranco wall in the east.

Accommodation: budget lodging “barranco camp”.
Elevation (ft): 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

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.

At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.

Accommodation: budget lodging “karanga camp”.
Elevation (ft): 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

We continue up to the barafu camp. South circuit will be completed, this circuits offers views of the summit from many different angles.

Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Accommodation: budget lodging “barafu camp”.
Elevation (ft): 3700m/12200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest

After breakfast, a descent takes us down through moorland to the mandara hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the national park gate at marangu. At lower elevation 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). A vehicle will be waiting for you at marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in moshi (about 1 hr drive)
Elevation (ft): 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

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/arusha

Enquire Now

Number of travelers in your group