Climbers in single file on a forest trail

Umbwe Route

The steepest and most direct line on the mountain. Genuinely demanding, poorly suited to acclimatisation, and not a route we would suggest for a first Kilimanjaro climb.

6 days
On the mountain: 53 km
Total distance: 5,895 m
Highest point: Camping
Sleeping

Umbwe Route altitude profile, in brief
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Umbwe Gate	1,600	0	No
1	Umbwe Cave Camp	2,850	11	Yes
2	Barranco Camp	3,900	17	Yes
3	Karanga Camp	3,995	22	Yes
4	Barafu Camp	4,673	26	Yes
5	Uhuru Peak	5,895	34.5	No
5	Mweka Camp	3,100	43	Yes
6	Mweka Gate	1,640	53	No

Sleeping altitudes, night by night

In short

Umbwe climbs a narrow forested ridge on the southern side, gaining height fast. It is beautiful and quiet, and it is the least forgiving profile on Kilimanjaro.

What it does well

Almost no other climbers on the ascent.
A striking forested ridge line with steep drop-offs on both sides.
The shortest distance to the summit.
Joins the southern circuit at Barranco, so the upper route is well supported.

What to weigh up

Very rapid altitude gain, with the weakest acclimatisation profile on the mountain.
Steep, sustained scrambling on day two.
Considerably lower summit chances for climbers without altitude experience.
If you want quiet, the Northern Circuit or Rongai achieve it without the risk profile.

Route facts

6 days
Recommended length: 53 km
Total distance: 5,895 m
Highest point: South
Approach side: Mweka
Descent route: Camping
Sleeping: Very demanding
Difficulty: Jan · Feb · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Best months

The altitude profile

Circles mark sleeping altitudes. Those are what your body adapts to — the high points you walk over during the day matter far less.

Umbwe Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

Umbwe Route elevation profile
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Umbwe Gate	1,600	0	No
1	Umbwe Cave Camp	2,850	11	Yes
2	Barranco Camp	3,900	17	Yes
3	Karanga Camp	3,995	22	Yes
4	Barafu Camp	4,673	26	Yes
5	Uhuru Peak	5,895	34.5	No
5	Mweka Camp	3,100	43	Yes
6	Mweka Gate	1,640	53	No

The route, camp by camp

As walked on our 6 Days Umbwe Route itinerary, with the altitudes it gives.

Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

Day by day

These are the days of our 6 Days Umbwe Route.

Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp

1,600 m → 2,850 m
11 km
5–7 hrs
Rainforest

↑ 1,250 m gained

A steep, sustained climb through dense forest. Efficient pacing is essential from the first day.

From: Umbwe Gate
To: Umbwe Cave Camp
Sleeping altitude: 2,850 m (9,350 ft)

Umbwe Cave to Barranco Camp

2,850 m → 3,900 m
6 km
4–6 hrs
Forest to moorland

↑ 1,050 m gained

Continue along the dramatic ridge as the forest opens, reaching Barranco beneath the Breach Wall.

From: Umbwe Cave
To: Barranco Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)

Barranco to Karanga Camp

3,900 m → 3,995 m
5 km
4–5 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 95 m gained

Climb the Barranco Wall and traverse to Karanga. The shorter stage gives additional time for recovery.

From: Barranco
To: Karanga Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,995 m (13,107 ft)

Karanga to Barafu Camp

3,995 m → 4,673 m
4 km
3–4 hrs
High alpine desert

↑ 678 m gained

Move to summit base camp, rest and complete final health and equipment checks.

From: Karanga
To: Barafu Camp
Sleeping altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)

Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

4,673 m → 3,100 m
17 km
12–16 hrs
Arctic summit to rainforest

↑ 1,222 m gained ↓ 2,795 m descended Sleeps 3,100 m

A midnight summit push via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, followed by a major descent to Mweka Camp.

From: Barafu
To: Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,100 m (10,171 ft)
Highest point: 5,895 m

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

3,100 m → 1,640 m
10 km
3–4 hrs
Rainforest

Finish through the forest and return to Moshi after park formalities.

From: Mweka Camp
To: Mweka Gate

Dates, prices and booking Take the itinerary with you (PDF)

What is and is not included

As listed on our 6 Days Umbwe Route. What the crew does and what we carry is the same on every itinerary we run here. The number of nights is not, and park fees are charged per night, so each climb page carries its own list.

What is included

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nutritious snacks during the trek
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
Camping fees
All applicable government taxes & VAT
Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
Professional mountain chef/cook
Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
All mountain crew wages and salaries
Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek

Camping equipment

Quality four-season mountain tents
Comfortable sleeping mattresses
Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

International and domestic flights
Tanzania entry visa
Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
Laundry services
Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

What it costs

Our 6 Days Umbwe Route, per climber. A smaller group pays more each because the crew, the vehicles and the camp cost the same however many of you there are.

Private climb prices by party size
Party size	Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy.	US$2,670

Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size	Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value.	US$2,460
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate.	US$2,250
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber.	US$2,100