Challenge yourself on one of Mount Kilimanjaro’s steepest routes
The Umbwe Route is one of the steepest and most challenging ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This trek is recommended for a seasoned hiker with plenty of experience at high altitudes. Allow your experienced guides, porters, cook, and extra day of rest help you realize your goal of reaching the top of Uhuru Peak.
You’ll ascend through the various mountain climates quite quickly as you hike the steep trail up the mountain. By night two you’ll already be at nearly 4000m! This itinerary allows you to spend an extra night at this elevation to acclimatize. Barranco Camp is a great home base for a day of rest and exploration since the views are stunning. You’ll appreciate being well-rested when you take on the imposing Barranco Wall. This guided hiking tour will circle the peak on the Southern Circuit, giving you many views of the summit and surrounding peaks. Your summit day will be the ultimate highlight of your tour. Starting with a challenging midnight climb, you’ll cross between spectacular glaciers through heavy scree to Stella Point. Allow the sunrise to inspire your final push to the summit and be rewarded with the view from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll start your descent quickly and spend your final night at a much more comfortable altitude. Complete your journey with a pick up from Mweka Gate and drive back to Moshi. You did it!
Highlights of the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route
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7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Itinerary
Day 0 Arrive the day before for pre-trek briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed. Please note that the accommodation or airport transfers for this day are not included but can be booked as a supplement.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Drive to Umbwe Gate and begin your trek
This morning you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moshi and driven to the Umbwe Gate. There will be some registration procedures you’ll have to complete before you start your hike. The trail quickly ascends a steep forest track through the rainforest. You’ll still be under lush tree cover when you arrive at Umbwe Cave Camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,850m / 9,350’)
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 11 km, 1190m of elevation gain)
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Hike up Umbwe Ridge and through Barranco Valley
Today you’ll notice the forest recede into mountain moorland. You’ll have a steady ascent up the ridge before it flattens into the valley. When you reach Barranco Camp you’ll be joining campers who are hiking the Machame Route.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,900m / 9,350’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 6 km, 1150m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Explore or relax at Barranco Camp
Now that you’re at nearly 4000m you’ll begin really feeling the effects of the elevation, especially since your ascent was so fast. Today will be an important day to rest and become more acclimatized before you climb even higher. You can choose to soak in the spectacular views from camp or explore the valley on your own.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,900m / 9,350’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Climb over the Barranco Wall and into Karanga Valley
You’ll be glad to be well-rested this morning as you take on the impressive Barranco Wall. It’s a steep hike up and over, but you’ll enjoy the views from the top as you crest the ridge and descend into the Karanga Valley.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,995m / 13,106’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5 km, 50m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Hike to Barafu Camp and complete the Southern Circuit
Your trail today continues around the Southern Circuit, which means you’ll get to see the inspiring summit from nearly all angles. Head to bed after an early dinner in preparation for your midnight departure and summit attempt tomorrow!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,673m / 15,331’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 4 km, 650m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Sunrise, summit, and start descending
Enjoy those short hours in your sleeping bag because this morning’s hike will be cold and dark as you head out after midnight. The hike this morning will be the most challenging yet, as the steep and loose trail will be cold with very little oxygen. Despite being short of breath, make sure you take a moment to take in Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers as you pass between them and begin the scramble up to Stella Point. Here your efforts will be rewarded with an inspirational sunset before your final hour to the peak.
Congratulations! At the summit, you’ve reached Africa’s highest point and have a moment to celebrate. From Uhuru Peak, you’ll begin your descent back down the mountain on Mweka Trail. Although the descent may be tough on your knees, you’ll find it becoming easier to breathe as the elevation decreases.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,100m / 10,170)
Distance: 10 to 13 hours, 18 km, 1195m of ascent and 2800m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Trek back into the rainforest and return to Moshi
After a great sleep, you’ll continue down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll receive your summit certificate, and your driver will take you back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 1680m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Price and Dates
This guided hiking tour of Mount Kilimanjaro is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the pricing depends on your group size.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from $2,020 USD* per person
Please note that the price depends on the size of your group. Please contact us to get the exact quote.
Book NowAccommodation on the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Tour
All the included accommodations are camping tents at designated camps along the trail. Tents are good quality and waterproof with a sleeping pad. The provided tents are double occupancy. Private tents and private toilets can be rented as additional gear.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private tent (please enquire for more information).
Hotels on Standard Tour
Umbwe Cave Camp
Enjoy the biodiversity as this is the only camp on the itinerary that is surrounded by trees and lush vegetation.
Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp is set in a rocky valley. Hopefully the view of the Barranco Wall in the distance will help motivate you for the upcoming journey.
Karanga Camp
Set high just above the beautiful Karanga Valley, this site is a great place to explore or relax at the end of another long day on the trail.
Barafu Camp
Tonight, you’re sleeping at over 4,600m above sea level with the summit in sight.
Mweka Camp
You’ll enjoy an abundance of fresh air at the much lower altitude Mweka Camp, where you’ll celebrate your climb with fellow campers.
What’s included in the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Accommodations
Camping accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes the transfers between Moshi and the trailhead before and after the tour. Airport transfers can be booked as a supplement.
Also Included
- Experienced mountain guides
- Porter and cook
- Park fees
- Quality four-season tents (based on twin share)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation, camping and rescue fees
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
Not included
- Visas if required
- Flights to and from Tanzania
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc. (rental options are available)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
Not included
- Extra nights in Moshi or Arusha
- Private toilet rental added to your gear
- Additional equipment rentals (available locally)
- Private tent rental
- Add-on bundles are available
- Airport transfers
Frequently Asked Questions about 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route
Monkey Adventures is an East African (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) operator offering Safari Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs, and Gorilla tracking (Uganda). They have offices in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. The company offers Kilimanjaro climbs over different routes with a duration of 5 days to 9 days and all their departures are guaranteed. You can opt for a group joining trek (depending on if there is a group on that day) or a private trek just for your group.
Monkey Adventures is proud to share that the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Government of Tanzania recently presented them with the "Best Tour Operator" award for 2018/2019 and the company has also been recognized as the Travellers' Choice Winner - 2020 by Tripadvisor. In the past, Monkey Adventures have also won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019.
Monkey Adventures guides hold certifications such as Kilimanjaro Guide Licence, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Tourism College Certificates, Kilimanjaro search and rescue, High altitude Medicine Skills Acquisition Program for Mountain Guide, and more.
Learn More7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Map
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