6 Day Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Tour Overview

The 6-day Umbwe Route is one of the most direct and challenging paths up Kilimanjaro, designed for experienced climbers who want a more rugged, less crowded experience. This route offers a steeper, faster ascent compared to other routes, making it more physically demanding. However, it rewards climbers with dramatic scenery, a variety of landscapes, and the opportunity for an exhilarating, less-trodden adventure. Acclimatization is key, as the altitude gain is rapid, but with the right preparation, reaching Uhuru Peak is an unforgettable achievement.

Route

Day by Day

Arrival Date

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. Take the rest of the day to relax, settle in, and prepare for your upcoming adventure in Tanzania. Your journey into the heart of this incredible destination is about to begin!

Start your day early with your first view of the mountain. After breakfast, you’ll begin hiking around 8:00 am. The trail will take you up through the forest and into the moorland zone. After a short lunch and break, you’ll continue on a rocky path up to the Shira Plateau, where you’ll get a beautiful view of the western breach and its glacier. You’ll spend the night at Umbwe Camp (3750 m).

Hiking Time: About 3 hours
Distance Covered: 5 km
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

To help with acclimatization, you’ll hike to a higher altitude and then descend to camp for the night. The route takes you into the alpine desert, up to Lava Tower (4600 m), and then down to Barranco Camp (3900 m). The descent offers amazing photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall. The campsite is located in a valley below Barranco Wall, perfect for watching a beautiful sunset before dinner.

Hiking Time: About 6 hours
Distance Covered: 10 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

Day 4 on the 7 Days Lemosho Route is yet another big challenge! Hike up a steep hill to climb the Barranco Wall. It looks scary, but it’s actually not so bad! Walk under giant glaciers and enjoy the amazing downhill trek to Karanga Valley. Look up to see even more glaciers on Kibo Peak. Relax and eat dinner at camp, where you’ll see incredible views of another mountain called Mawenzi. In the afternoon, take it easy to get used to the high altitude. You can even go for a short hike if you want, but mostly rest up for the big climb on the next day!

  • Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
  • Approx. time taken: 5 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Getting close to the summit! Hike to Barafu Camp, which is really high up (4673 meters!). From here, you’ll see amazing views of the peak of Kilimanjaro (Kibo) and another mountain called Mawenzi. After lunch, relax a lot in your tent – this is important for climbing to the very top later. Eat dinner early and get a good night’s sleep because you’ll need to wake up very early tomorrow for the climb!

  • Approx. hiking time: 3 hours
  • Distance covered: 4 km
  • Habitat: Alpine desert
  • Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

This is the big day! You wake up very early, around midnight, and have a light breakfast. After fueling up, you’ll start the tough climb to the summit. It takes 4-5 hours and you’ll go up really high in a short time!

Just before sunrise, you’ll reach Stella Point (5756m), which is an amazing viewpoint at the edge of a giant crater. From here, you do one last climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa (5,895 meters!). Congratulations, you climbed Kilimanjaro! Take pictures and enjoy this incredible accomplishment.

After celebrating at the top, you’ll head back down to Barafu Camp for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Then, you’ll trek down to Millenium Camp for dinner, where you can relax and reflect on your amazing journey. You did it – you conquered Kilimanjaro!

  • Approx. hiking time: 12-15 hours
  • Distance covered: 15 km
  • Meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 6 – conquer the descent! After breakfast, enjoy a celebratory farewell to Millennium Camp (3950m) with a scenic few-hour hike to Mweka Gate. Collect your well-earned summit certificates and raise a toast to your accomplishment with a refreshing drink! Bid farewell to your amazing guides and board a private car which will take you back to your Moshi hotel. A hot shower and a comfy bed await! Celebrate your incredible Kilimanjaro achievement via 6 days Umbwe route – you did it!

  • Approx. hiking time: 5 hours
  • Distance covered: 14 km
  • Habitat: Montane Forest

This Tour Includes & Exclude

Price FROM $1,500

WHY BOOK WITH US?

Prices (quoted in USD/per person)

Number of Pax
1 Pax
2 - 4 Pax
5 - 7 Pax
8 - 9 Pax
10+ Pax
7 Day UMBWE route
$ 1,750
$ 1,650
$ 1,600
$ 1,550
$ 1,500

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