Scenic views on the Umbwe route Kilimanjaro

UMBWE ROUTE KILIMANJARO

Umbwe route Kilimanjaro is renowned as one of the most challenging paths to the summit. This is true for those planning to reach Uhuru Peak via the Arrow Glacier campsite and the Western Breach. However, when you choose to trek the Umbwe route Kilimanjaro 7 days with our company, the route takes a safer turn. From Barranco camp you will follow the southern circuit and opt to summit via Barafu camp. This reroute offers much safer option and allow for better acclimatization. 

Click on our detailed Umbwe route Kilimanjaro map to see a bigger Umbwe route map.

The first two days of the of the route is marked by steep ascents, presenting a difficult and challenging trail. The climb along the Umbwe ridge to Baranco campsite includes some demanding sections. The Baranco wall posing an additional challenge for hikers, especially those with a fear of heights.

During the initial days, the route unveils unspoiled, breathtaking scenery. However, traffic on the trail increases significantly once you reach Baranco campsite. This is where the Umbwe route joins with the southern circuit. Southern circuit routes include the Lemosho routeMachame route and Shira route.

6 days is the minimum duration allowed for the Umbwe route. We strongly recommend you choose the Umbwe route Kilimanjaro 7 days option. The biggest cause of altitude sickness is going too high, too fast and nobody can predict who will get altitude sickness and who not. Altitude sickness affect every person differently, irrespective of their age, fitness levels etc. By choosing the 7 day Umbwe route, do you allow your body more time to acclimatize and reduce the possibility to get altitude sickness.

Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro 7 days summary

 

Umbwe route advantagesUmbwe route disadvantages
7 Day Umbwe offer opportunity to climb high / sleep low, allowing for better acclimatization. Actual trail from the Umbwe gate to Barafu campsite is challenging.
The actual summit trail shorter less challenging than the Marangu route summit trail. The Baranco wall is a potential problem for hikers with a fear of heights.
Ascend and descend using different routes. High number of hikers can be expected for night 2 onwards.
Short distance to High campsite or Mweka campsite, after reaching the summit. Steep Kilimanjaro route especially for the first 2 days.
Quiet route for the first 2 days. Basic long drop style toilets at campsites.
Scenic and beautiful route. Some parts like the Baranco wall, subject to “bottled neck” effect due to high number of hikers.

Umbwe route Kilimanjaro forest

Umbwe route Kilimanjaro 7 days itinerary

Day 1 – Umbwe Gate (1 800m / 5 905ft) – Umbwe Cave campsite (2 850m / 9 350ft)

Hiking time: 6 Hours
Distance: Approximately 11 km / 6.8 miles
Habitat: Forest (Montane)

Transfer 1 hour to the Machame gate to register and then transfer to the Umbwe gate. You will pass through villages with coffee and banana plantations on the way 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.

Day 2 – Umbwe Cave campsite (2 850m) – Baranco campsite (3 900m) / 12 795ft)

Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.3 km / 3.9 miles
Habitat: Moorland

Shortly after leaving the campsite the forest starts thinning. It is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Baranco campsite. The campsite is situated in the valley below the Western Breach and Great Baranco Wall. This camp will provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.

Umbwe route Kilimanjaro Lava tower

Day 3 – Acclimatization day

Baranco Campsite (3 900m / 12 795ft) to Lava Tower (4 600m / 15 091ft)

Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km / 3.7 miles
Habitat: Semi-desert

Enjoy breakfast at Baranco campsite and then hike up to Lava Tower for lunch. At Lava tower you reach an altitude of 4 600m / 15 091ft and this offer you the opportunity to climb high and sleep low, helping your body to acclimatize faster. The descent to Baranco campsite takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs. Click on our Kilimanjaro Umbwe route 7 days, Umbwe route Kilimanjaro map. to visualize.

Day 4 – Baranco campsite (3 900m) / 12 795ft) – Karanga campsite (3 995m / 13 105ft)

Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Habitat: Semi desert

After breakfast, make your way up the Baranco wall, which in the end, normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. One should keep in mind that there are three rises and falls before reaching Karanga campsite where you will have lunch, dinner and overnight. On this day will the Kilimanjaro Umbwe route 7 days join the Machame and Shira routes.

Day 5 – Karanga campsite (3 995m / 13 105ft) – Barafu campsite (4 673m / 15 330ft)

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Habitat: Alpine desert

Enjoy breakfast and ascend 640m to Barafu campsite. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and the Barafu campsite is totally exposed to the ever-present gales. The summit is now a further 1 222m / 4 009ft higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Day 6 – Summit attempt

Ascend: Barafu campsite (4 673m / 15 330ft) – Uhuru Peak (5 895m / 19 341ft)

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak
Distance: Approximately 5 km / 3.1 miles
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Descend: Uhuru Peak (5 895m / 19 341ft) – Mweka (3 100m / 10 170ft)

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Campsite
Distance: 12.5 km / 7.8 miles to Mweka campsite or 9 km / 5.6 miles to High campsite
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend up a steep path towards Stella Point, located on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging part of the entire hike. At Stella Point (5 756m / 18 884ft) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point it is possible to encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life! Click on our Kilimanjaro Umbwe route 7 days, Umbwe route map. to visualize.

Descend to Mweka campsite

The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned, but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. If the group managed to summit just after sunrise and everything was on schedule will we descend down to Mweka campsite (3 100m / 10 170ft). However if the summit attempt took longer than planned, will we overnight at High Campsite (3 950m / 12 960ft), which is located closer to Barafu campsite.

Day 7 – Final descend with the Mweka route

Shorter: Mweka campsite (3 100m / 10 170ft) – Mweka Gate (1 640m / 5 380ft)

Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 10 km / 6.2 miles
Habitat: Forest

OR

Longer: High campsite (3 950m / 12 960ft) – Mweka Gate (1 640m / 5 380ft)

Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: From High Campsite approximately 13.5 km Mweka campsite approximately 13.5 km / 8.4 miles
Habitat: Forest

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3 to 4 hour scenic hike from Mweka campsite to the Mweka gate on the Mweka route. If the group spend the last night at High Campsite it will be slightly longer 5 to 7 hour hike down to the Mweka gate.

At Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5 756m / 18 884ft) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5 895m / 19 341ft) receive gold certificates. Drive back to the hotel for a long overdue hot shower and well deserved rest! Congratulations on completing the Kilimanjaro Umbwe route 7 days!