Umbwe Route

Climb Kilimanjaro by the Steepest Route

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a mountain briefing.

Day 2: Transfer to the Umbwe road head at 1800m to begin your Kilimanjaro climb. The route initially follows a winding logging track up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens, ascending the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The first campsite is in the forest by some rock outcrops at 2940m. (approx. 6 hours walk)

Day 3: Shortly after leaving the camp you emerge from the forest and the path continues along the spectacular Umbwe ridge. Above, the vertical 1000m of the Breach Wall appears and disappears as the afternoon mists roll up the Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Hut and our camp in the valley floor at 3900m. (approx. 6 hours walk).

Day 4: A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000m, 3 hours walking), beneath the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. This day helps your acclimatisation for the assault on the summit, the final stage of your Kilimanjaro climb.

Day 5: After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the path climbs a ridge to the Barafu Hut ('Barafu' means 'Ice' in KiSwahili). This is a stark location with little vegetation at 4600m altitude. (approx. 3 hours walk)

Day 6: Today there is an early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers (approx. 4 hours walk). The last section before the rim may sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or walking pole is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After a short time on the summit you descend down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the Mweka route. Those with energy on the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the stunning ice pinnacles of the Eastern Ice Fields.

Day 7: A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate. You collect your certificate as proof of your Kilimanjaro climb and are driven back to the hotel. If you wish to carry on your adventure and go on a Tanzania safari, we can also arrange this for you, starting the next day.

For further information about your Kilimanjaro climb please Contact Us.