The Umbwe Route is a short, steep and scenic route which approachs the summit from the south. It is the least used route on the mountain and also the most demanding.

This route offers spectacular views and a fast summit approach, but due to the latter it is not the best route in terms of acclimatization.It is also known as Whiskey Route.

Difficulty rating: Extremely challenging

Height: The distance covered between the beginning of the Umbwe route to Uhuru peak is approximately 5,895 meters (19,341 feet)

Duration: The recommended number of days for Climbing through the Route is 6 or 7 days, giving you an extra day or so for acclimatisation. Using 5 days is also possible, but not recommended as it excludes the acclimatisation day.

Trail conditions: The trail begins well but progresses into a steep slope, whereby sometimes you will have to use trees and roots as support to haul yourself forward as you hike on rocky ground. Going up higher to the alne zone of kilimanjaro, you will encounter strong winds carrying elements along.

Highlights

Start: Umbwe Gate (1640 m) Finish: Umbwe Cave Camp (2930 m) Altitude: ↑ 1290 m Walking Time: 5-6h
Start: Umbwe Cave Camp (2930 m) Finish: Barranco Camp (3960 m) Altitude: ↑ 1030 m Walking Time: 5-6h
Start: Barranco Camp (3960 m) Finish: Karanga Camp (4035 m) Altitude: ↑ 100 m ↓ 25 m Walking Time: 3-4h
Start: Karanga Camp (4035 m) Finish: Barafu Camp (4640 m) Altitude: ↑ 605 m Walking Time: 3-4h
Start: Barafu Camp (4640 m) Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m) Altitude: ↑ 1255 m ↓ 2815 m Walking Time: 10-14h
Start: Mweka Camp (3080 m) Finish: Mweka Gate (1630 m) Altitude: ↓ 1450 m Walking Time: 2-3h

Umbwe Route Itinerary (6 Days)

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Umbwe is the steepest and most direct route to the summit. It’s not recommended for inexperienced hikers due to poor acclimatization profile—though it’s one of the most scenic and adventurous.

What is the Success Rate of Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route?

Data for the Umbwe route is lacking. We estimate that the success rate of the 6 day Umbwe route is approximately 50%. The 7 day Umbwe route has a success rate of about 70%.

How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route?

The cost to climb the Umbwe route depends on the number of days. Our current pricing for a private climb on the 7 day Umbwe route starts at $2,269 per person.

Day 01 :

Umbwe Gate (1,800m) to Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850m)

Distance: ~11 km
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Highlights: Steep and muddy forest trail, fewer climbers, wild scenery

Description:

In the morning after breakfast our driver will pick you up at your lodge and take you to the Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your mountain guide will take care of the registration process and once everything is packed, you can begin your adventure. The trail will start as a wide forest road but then gets narrower as it climbs through the rainforest. You will walk on a mountain ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers before reaching Umbwe Cave Camp (2930 m) after about 5 to 6 hours of strenuous walking. At the campsite you can rest and enjoy some snacks while dinner is being prepared. You might be lucky enough to see the reflective eyes of a wild cat or monkeys jumping through the trees.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 02 :

Umbwe Camp (2,940m) to Barranco Camp (3,970m)

Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Elevation: 2,940 m to 3,976 m
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath

After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps. Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp.

Breakfast,lunch and Dinner.

Day 03 :

Barranco Camp (3,900m) → Karanga Camp (4,120m) via Barranco Wall

Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Elevation: 3,900 m to 4,120 m
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Today's hike of four to five hours is important to your acclimatisation. After an early breakfast, it’s time for you to conquer the great Barranco Wall. Although it may look intimidating, trekkers usually report that it turned out to be less taxing than they anticipated. At the top of the wall, you're above the clouds and have superb views of the Southern Ice Fields and the summit. The trail then winds up and down until you arrive at Karanga Camp, where you spend the night.

Breakfast,lunch and Dinner.

Day 04 :

Karanga Camp (4,120m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Distance: 4 km / 2 miles
Elevation: 4,120 m to 4,640 m
Trekking Time: 3.5-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

It’s getting real – you’re now very close to the summit! Today you have a climb of about three hours to reach Barafu Camp. The views throughout the day's hike are epic. Tonight you all head to bed early as your summit trek begins around midnight!

Breakfast,lunch and Dinner.

Day 05 :

Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Today is the day you climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro! Your goal is Uhuru Peak on the crater rim of Kibo. It will take all of your determination to reach the top, but dig deep, because it's 100% worth the effort!

Part 1 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 4,673 m to 5,895 m
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Today's summit attempt starts at around midnight! The route heads northwest into the dark night, taking you on a path that's made mostly of scree. After about six to eight hours of trekking you reach Uhuru Peak, which sits at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by your achievement!

Part 2 | Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 5,895 m to 3,068 m
Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
Hiking time: 6-8 hours

After some time at the summit, you start your long descent to Mweka Camp at 3,110 m (10,204 ft). Mweka Camp is in the forest zone, and you'll love how easy it is to breathe again! This is where you spend your final night on the mountain.

Breakfast,lunch and Dinner.

Day 06 :

Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m)

Distance: 10 km / 2 miles
Elevation: 3,100 m to 1,640 m
Trekking Time: 4.5-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest.

Today you trek through rainforest to reach the foot of the mountain, where your driver fetches you. What an adventure to have climbed Kilimanjaro!

Breakfast.

Umbwe Route

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Map

Highlights

Umbwe Route Itinerary (6 Days)

What is the Success Rate of Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route?

How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route?

Part 1 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Part 2 | Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

PRICE INCLUDES/EXCLUDE

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