Joseph, Kilimanjaro guide

Umbwe route

The 6-day Umbwe route starts at Umbwe Gate and finishes at Mweka Gate. It covers about 54 km (34 mi), reaches Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) via Stella Point, and costs $1,700 per person.

For acclimatised hikers

The fastest climb of the six routes: from 1,660 m at the gate to Barranco Camp at 4,000 m on day 2.

The shortest and steepest way up: a narrow forest ridge straight to Barranco, then the southern circuit to Stella Point. For strong hikers who are already acclimatised.

Duration
6 days
5 nights on the mountain
Total distance
54 km
34 mi, the daily distances added up
Highest point
5,895 m
19,340 ft, Uhuru Peak
Summit via
Stella Point
Sleeping in
Tents
Price per person
$1,700

6-day Umbwe route

$1,700

per person

Prices can change for larger groups. Message me for your final price.

Book on WhatsApp

Off the mountain I reply within a couple of hours. I'm on the mountain a lot, though, and on a climb I may only have signal once a day or every few days.

Is Umbwe for you?

You reach Barranco (4,000 m) on day 2, a very fast gain. I only recommend Umbwe if you've recently been at altitude, for example after climbing Mount Meru. If you are at all concerned, or not a very fit or experienced hiker, choose one of my longer itineraries instead: the more days, the better your chance of reaching the summit.

What does the price include?

  • Park fees
  • All meals on the mountain
  • Crew wages
  • Sleeping tents
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Dining tent with table and chairs
  • Transport from your hotel to the gate and back

Not included: Tips for your crew, travel insurance, gear (you can rent it from me), hotel nights before and after the climb, and any transport other than to and from the start and finish gates, such as airport transfers.

Two hikers eat at a camp table beside an orange tent on gravel ground, below a rocky, snow-streaked summit

How high does the Umbwe route climb?

Altitude profile, 6 days

[ROUTE MAP: Umbwe Gate, Umbwe Cave Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp, Mweka Gate]

[Map credit, e.g. Joseph's GPS track on © OpenStreetMap contributors]

What happens each day on the 6-day Umbwe route?

  1. Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp

    The drive from Moshi to Umbwe Gate takes about 1 hour. We climb steeply through the rainforest, with a packed lunch on the way.

    A smiling hiker with trekking poles on a muddy rainforest trail, a crew member behind her giving two thumbs up
    Altitude
    1,660 to 2,850 m
    5,450 to 9,350 ft
    Distance
    11 km / 7 mi
    Hiking time
    5–6 hours
    Habitat
    Montane forest
    Meals
    Lunch, dinner

  2. Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

    We leave the forest and climb through open moorland to Barranco Camp. You gain more than 1,100 m today, which is why Umbwe suits climbers who are already acclimatised.

    Altitude
    2,850 to 4,000 m
    9,350 to 13,000 ft
    Distance
    6 km / 4 mi
    Hiking time
    4–5 hours
    Habitat
    Semi-desert
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  3. Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

    We climb the steep Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail. A short day that gives your body more time to adjust.

    Altitude
    4,000 to 4,050 m
    13,000 to 13,250 ft
    Highest point on the way
    4,250 m
    Distance
    5 km / 3 mi
    Hiking time
    3–4 hours
    Habitat
    Alpine desert
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  4. Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    We continue up to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit with views of the summit from many angles. We make camp, rest, have dinner and prepare for summit night.

    Joseph, on the left in a black rain poncho, with two climbers in rain ponchos at the Barafu Camp sign, elevation 4673 m, in falling snow
    Joseph (left) at Barafu Camp, 4,673 m.
    Altitude
    4,050 to 4,673 m
    13,250 to 15,330 ft
    Distance
    4 km / 2 mi
    Hiking time
    3–4 hours
    Habitat
    Alpine desert
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  5. Summit day

    Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

    We set off between midnight and 2 am, climbing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the hardest part of the trek, mentally and physically. At Stella Point we rest and are rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may see it from the summit.

    From Stella Point it is about an hour, often on snow, to Uhuru Peak: the highest point on Kilimanjaro and in Africa.

    Then we descend straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and poles help on the loose gravel. We spend our last evening on the mountain at Mweka Camp.

    Joseph, on the right in a blue jacket, bumps fists with a climber at the Mount Kilimanjaro summit sign reading 5895M AMSL, under a clear blue sky above the clouds
    Joseph (right) at Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m.
    Altitude
    4,673 to 5,895 to 3,090 m
    15,330 to 19,340 to 10,150 ft
    Distance
    5 km up, 13 km down
    Hiking time
    5–7 h up, 5–6 h down
    Habitat
    Scree and ice-capped summit
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  6. Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to your hotel

    We descend to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate. Lower down it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and poles help. Shorts and a T-shirt are usually enough, but keep rain gear and a warm layer handy.

    A vehicle meets you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

    Altitude
    3,090 to 1,640 m
    10,150 to 5,380 ft
    Distance
    10 km / 6 mi
    Hiking time
    3–4 hours
    Habitat
    Forest
    Meals
    Breakfast

Written by Joseph, Kilimanjaro guide since 2018.Last updated .

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