Umbwe route 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing Overview

The 7 days Kilimanjaro climb via the Umbwe route offers a challenging and exhilarating adventure to the summit of Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain at 5,895 meters. 

Known for its steep and demanding terrain, the Umbwe route provides a thrilling experience for experienced climbers seeking a more remote and less crowded path.

Over the course of the 7 days trek, climbers will navigate through dense rainforests, scramble over rocky sections, and traverse the breathtaking Barranco Wall.

 

As the journey progresses, the landscape transitions to alpine desert, leading to the final push to Uhuru Peak, 19,341 feet above sea level. 

With awe-inspiring views, diverse ecosystems, and the ultimate sense of accomplishment, the 7 days Umbwe route promises an unforgettable and rewarding Kilimanjaro expedition.

Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route 7 Days

The best 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Umbwe route success rate

The best successful summit rate for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Umbwe route is from 70% to 75% reaching at 5,895-meter peak and safely descending back from the mountain.

 This summit rate is reached by experienced hikers with the best ability to adapt to higher altitude quickly since the Umbwe route is very steep and very demanding terrain.

Departure / Return Location 

Kilimanjaro International Airport

Departure Time 

Please arrive at least 2 hours before flight.

Included

 

    • Park fees

    • Camp fees

    •  Rescue fees

    • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters

    • 3 meals daily while on the mountain

    • Transportation to & from the mountain gate

Not Included

    • Both National and International flights

    • Medical insurance

    • Tips to mountain crew

    • Items of a personal nature

The best 7 days Kilimanjaro Umbwe route price

The best price for the best 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Umbwe route is from $1400 to $2500 per climber that enables you to successful summit at 5,895 meters Kilimanjaro and descending back. 

This 7-day Kilimanjaro Umbwe route price include the mountain accommodation fees, park fees, and rescue fees.

The prices and fees are paid in Dollars, Euros, Pounds, and Tanzania Shillings.

The best itinerary for 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Umbwe route

The best full detailed itinerary for 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Umbwe route: 

Day 1: Umbwe Gate (5,905ft / 1,800m) to Umbwe Camp (9,190ft / 2,800m) | 5-7 hours | 8 km; 

Day 2: Umbwe Camp (9,190ft / 2,800m) to Barranco Camp (12,800ft / 3,900m) | 4-5 hours | 8 km; 

Day 3: Barranco Camp Acclimatization; 

Day 4: Barranco Camp (12,960ft / 3,950m) to Karanga Camp (13,780ft / 4,200m) | 4 hours | 7 km; 

Day 5: Karanga Camp (13,780ft / 4,200m) to Barafu Camp (14,930ft / 4,550m) | 3-4 hours | 5 km; 

Day 6: Barafu Camp (14,930ft / 4,550m) to Uhuru Peak (19,341ft / 5,895m) to Mweka Camp (10,170ft/ 3,100m) | 8 hours up, 9-10 hours down | 7 km up and 22 km down; and 

Day 7: Mweka Camp (10,170ft / 3,100m) to Mweka Gate (6,500ft / 1,980m) | 3-4 hours | 10km.

Day 01: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp

Rising in feet: 5,905 feet (1,800 meters) to 9,190 feet (2,800 meters). 8 km stretch Hiking time: 5-7 hours Climate habitat: rain forest Breakfast will be provided early, and there you will have a briefing from your guide at 9 a.m. Our staff will take you on the hour-long drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Umbwe village, where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies. 

When registration to enter Kilimanjaro Park is complete, you will also receive your lunch pack.

After registration, you will begin your ascent from the Umbwe gate and continue on a small vehicle path until you reach the signage notifying you that you have reached the Umbwe Trail. 

Then you’ll climb for 5-6 hours through dense rain forest.It is impossible to miss the giant fig and rubber trees, as in some places, their roots have overtaken the path.

Although, sometimes slippery themselves, they can make for good footholds when the path becomes sloppy with mud after a rain.

 Inside the forest, you will first stop at Umbwe Camp. When you arrive, you will find your camp and tent already set up by the porters who ran ahead. They will bring you boiled drinking water and washing water in preparation for dinner.

Day 02: Umbwe Camp Barranco Camp

Rising (in feet): 9,190 feet (2,800 meters) to 12,800 feet (3,900 meters).8 km stretchHiking time: 4-5 hoursClimate habitat: moorland7-Day Umbwe Route to Climb Kilimanjaro Rise early for coffee or tea.

 After breakfast, pack up for the day’s trek. Your trek will begin steeply through the disappearing rainforest glades before ascending into the drier air of Giant Erica and heathland terrain, where the vegetation is sparse with small shrubs.

If the clouds have parted enough, you will continue on an exposed ridge that will provide your first view of Uhuru Peak.

After lunch, you begin to enter the semi-desert terrain when you trek through a garden of Senecio plants. These odd-looking grasses resemble something like a prehistoric cactus.

Once you reach Barranco Camp, your porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving dinner.

While waiting for your dinner, you will have a chance to experience one of the most memorable sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops through the valley.

Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude.

Day 03:Barranco Camp Acclimatization

Stretch:10 km Hiking time: 7 hours Climate habitat: moorland You will spend Day 3 exploring near Barranco Camp for much-needed acclimatization.

Keep your camera handy to capture the scenery of the grass-clad campsite. Many trekkers rank this as their favorite camp on this trail, which is another reason this is the perfect spot for your acclimatization day.

Choose the 6-day Umbwe itinerary if you are confident in your body’s ability to acclimate well.

Day 04:Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Rising (ft): 12,960ft /3,950m to 13,780ft/4,200m

Stretch: 7 km

Hiking time: 4 hours

Climatic habitat: Moorland After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don’t worry. 

It’s much easier than it looks Continue up until you reach just below the hem of the glacier. 

Then head down through the Karanga Valley. 

This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water they need for the remainder of the ascent here. 

You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing some light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.

Day 05:Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Rising (ft): 13,780ft (4,200 m) to 14,930ft (4,550 m). Stretch: 5 km  Hiking time: 3-4 hours Climate habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast, you’ll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut.

 You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. 

Also, have your headlamp or flashlight handy if you need to leave the tent after dark.

You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for your headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 p.m. and try to catch a few hours of shuteye before your summit attempt.

Day 06:SUMMIT DAY! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Rising (ft): 14,930ft (4,550 m) to 19,340ft (5,895 m) to 10,170 ft (3,100 m). Stretch: 7 km up and 22 km down Hiking time: 8 hours up, 9-10 hours down Climate habitat: Arctic Wake at 11:30 PM for tea or coffee and biscuits, and then depart Barafu on your bid for the peak.

 You will climb for 6 hours through thick scree, following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers, until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m). 

You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek.

Depending on your pace up to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. 

Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold. At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route.

 You will hike along the rim for another 1–2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak. 

Congratulations! You are now standing on the roof of Africa! You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon in order to allow yourself enough time to rest at Barafu Camp.

After a 3-hour descent down sliding scree, you will reach Barafu to have a short rest while you collect your gear and then continue down the path back into the forest camp of Mweka.

You might experience a little rain in the afternoon, so be sure to have your rain gear in your daypack. Enjoy some dinner and some well-deserved sleep.

At Mweka Camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, candy bars, and beer.

Day 07:Mweka Camp to Moshi

Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ftDistance: 10 kmHiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain ForestHalf BoardAfter breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.

At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.

Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Zoom Tours’ vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

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