Umbwe Route – Mount Kilimanjaro
The Steepest and Shortest Kilimanjaro Route
Umbwe Route is the shortest, steepest and hardest route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the route is also the most direct route to Uhuru Peak and most challenging route.
Umbwe route approaches the peak from the south and is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. The route is quite taxing primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude but the rewards are plentiful.
Traditionally the route utilized the steep Western Breach and Arrow’s Glacier path to the summit, however due to a tragic rock-fall in 2006 that claimed the lives of 3 trekkers the approach via the Western Breach was closed. The route reopened in December 2007 but due its difficulty it is not offered normally offered as an option.
Instead the Umbwe Route now joins the Machame Route on the evening of the second day, following the southern circuit to the summit and descending via the Mweka Route.
Map of Umbwe Route
Umbwe Route’s traffic for the first two days is low but pick ups as soon as the trekkers join Machame climbers at Barranco Camp. Umbwe Route is sometimes offered on a 5, 6 or 7 day itinerary. The 5 day Umbwe Route is not recommended as there are no acclimatization days and success rates are low.
The difference between the 6 and 7 day Umbwe Route is an additional acclimatization day at Burranco Camp.
Itinerary of Kilimanjaro’s Umbwe Route
This Umbwe Route itinerary is for a 6-day of hiking.
Day 1 – Umbwe Gate (1,600 meters) to Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 meters)
Distance: ~10.5km / 6.5 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Rainforest
The Umbwe Route departs from the South, most trekkers are picked from Moshi or Arusha and driven to the Machame Gate where the registration takes place.
From there trekkers are transferred to the Umbwe Gate at 1,600 meters, this is where the trek starts from and the trekkers are accompanied with the guide and porters in tow. The route follows a forestry track through the rainforest before steepening between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. If the weather is clear you will get a good view of the Kibo in a distance.
Day 1 hiking takes approximately 5-7 hours to reach Umbwe Cave Camp at 2,850 meters, 10.5 kilometers/6 miles from your starting point, the camp sits between large evergreen trees and thick undergrowth with Umbwe cave a short walk away.
On arrival at your tents which will be already assembled, dinner will be served in your mess tent and stay overnight.
Day 2 – Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 meters) to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters)
Distance: ~6.5km / 3.5 miles
Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Low-alpine zone
On Day 2, the landscape changes rapidly from rainforest to moorland with rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation, the path follows the narrow Umbwe Route Ridge until it begins to flatten close to the Barranco Valley.
The Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) sits in the valley under the shadow of the Great Burraco Wall with Kibo visible in the distance. You will notice the camp is pretty busy as you will be joining hikers from the Machame, Lemosho and Shira Route from here.
Day 3 – Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters)
Distance: 6km / 3.5 miles
Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Low-alpine zone / High-alpine zone
Day 3 starts with a steep climb up the 257 meter Burranco wall, no technical skills are required but you will need to use all four limbs to scramble up to the top.
From this point, you will follow an up and down route along the Southern Circuit through the Karanga Valley and up to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters).
You will stop at Karanga Camp for the night, unless you are on a five day route in which case you will continue to Barafu Camp (4,670 meters).
Day 4 – Karanga Camp (3,960 meters) to Barafu Camp (4,670 meters)
Distance: 3.5 km / 2 miles
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High-alpine zone
Day 4 is a relatively short climb from Karanga Camp to Baraful Camp at 4,670 meters, the route sojourns through the rocky and sparsely vegetated high alpine desert zone. Barafu camp is very exposed to the elements especially the gale force winds that are common to this altitude.
You will arrive at the camp around lunchtime, giving you lots of time to rest or potentially climb a bit higher if you are feeling up to it.
Most people have lost their appetite by this stage in the trek but it is important that you try to eat some food, set an hour aside to ensure that your gear is ready and packed for the summit ascent which begins around mid-night. Do not forget to carry additional batteries for your headlamp and camera and remember to ensure that your water bottles are well insulated (wrapping them in an extra pair of warm socks works well). Also try to get to bed 19:00 as you will be woken around 23:30 to begin your summit attempt.
Day 5 – Barafu Camp (4,670 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
Distance: ~4.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka
Zone: Glacial zone and the all preceding zones
Wake up early with hot tea and biscuits, set off up the heavily screed slopes of Kibo, the route up to the crater rim is long and arduous. Your physical and mental capacities will be seriously tested, it is important to remain focused on your goal, one step at a time. Around dawn you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) at the top of the crater rim.
This is not a summit, however it is a major milestone, take a moment to rest and enjoy where you have got but don’t lie down as this can stymie your final push to the summit. From Stella Point the route flattens as you walk an additional 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). You will be able to stay too long at the summit as the lack of oxygen and cold is debilitating.
Make sure to get all the pictures and video footage you want and then make your way back to Stella Point, many trekkers decide to scree slide down the slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camo where you will have a chance to take a short break before continuing to Mweka Camp. Remember to use your trekking poles as the impact on your knees of the 5-8 hour descent from the summit to Mweka Camo can be very tiring and painful.
Day 6 – Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
Distance: 9 km / 6 miles
Trekking time: 3-5 hours
Zone: Rainforest
By the morning of the 6th day you should have your appetite back and can enjoy your last breakfast on the mountain before heading down through the thick undergrowth of the lower slopes. Your knees may be very sore so go slowly and make sure of each footing as you descend to Mweka Gate.
On arrival at the gate, you will sign-out with the authorities and be presented with your summit certificate. At this point, you will be presented with your summit certificate, after tipping the porters and guides, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Altitude Profile for Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
