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Highlights
Challenge yourself on one of Mount Kilimanjaro’s steepest routes
Hike through lush rainforest, scenic valleys, and across dramatic ridges.
Keep your strength up with healthy meals prepared for you and your companions by your cook.
Tackle the Barranco Wall and complete the Southern Circuit.
Watch a once in a lifetime sunrise from Stella Point before you push yourself to the summit.
The Umbwe Route is one of the steepest and most challenging ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This trek is recommended for a seasoned hiker with plenty of experience at high altitudes. Allow your experienced guides, porters, cook, and extra day of rest help you realize your goal of reaching the top of Uhuru Peak.
You’ll ascend through the various mountain climates quite quickly as you hike the steep trail up the mountain. By night two you’ll already be at nearly 4000m! This itinerary allows you to spend an extra night at this elevation to acclimatize. Barranco Camp is a great home base for a day of rest and exploration since the views are stunning. You’ll appreciate being well-rested when you take on the imposing Barranco Wall. This guided hiking tour will circle the peak on the Southern Circuit, giving you many views of the summit and surrounding peaks. Your summit day will be the ultimate highlight of your tour. Starting with a challenging midnight climb, you’ll cross between spectacular glaciers through heavy scree to Stella Point. Allow the sunrise to inspire your final push to the summit and be rewarded with the view from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll start your descent quickly and spend your final night at a much more comfortable altitude. Complete your journey with a pick up from Mweka Gate and drive back to Moshi. You did it!
The Umbwe Route is one of the steepest and most challenging ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This trek is recommended for a seasoned hiker with plenty of experience at high altitudes. Allow your experienced guides, porters, cook, and extra day of rest help you realize your goal of reaching the top of Uhuru Peak.
You’ll ascend through the various mountain climates quite quickly as you hike the steep trail up the mountain. By night two you’ll already be at nearly 4000m! This itinerary allows you to spend an extra night at this elevation to acclimatize. Barranco Camp is a great home base for a day of rest and exploration since the views are stunning. You’ll appreciate being well-rested when you take on the imposing Barranco Wall. This guided hiking tour will circle the peak on the Southern Circuit, giving you many views of the summit and surrounding peaks. Your summit day will be the ultimate highlight of your tour. Starting with a challenging midnight climb, you’ll cross between spectacular glaciers through heavy scree to Stella Point. Allow the sunrise to inspire your final push to the summit and be rewarded with the view from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll start your descent quickly and spend your final night at a much more comfortable altitude. Complete your journey with a pick up from Mweka Gate and drive back to Moshi. You did it!
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7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Itinerary
Day 0 Arrive the day before for pre-trek briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed. Please note that the accommodation or airport transfers for this day are not included but can be booked as a supplement.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Drive to Umbwe Gate and begin your trek
This morning you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moshi and driven to the Umbwe Gate. There will be some registration procedures you’ll have to complete before you start your hike. The trail quickly ascends a steep forest track through the rainforest. You’ll still be under lush tree cover when you arrive at Umbwe Cave Camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,850m / 9,350’)
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 11 km, 1190m of elevation gain)
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Hike up Umbwe Ridge and through Barranco Valley
Today you’ll notice the forest recede into mountain moorland. You’ll have a steady ascent up the ridge before it flattens into the valley. When you reach Barranco Camp you’ll be joining campers who are hiking the Machame Route.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,900m / 9,350’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 6 km, 1150m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Explore or relax at Barranco Camp
Now that you’re at nearly 4000m you’ll begin really feeling the effects of the elevation, especially since your ascent was so fast. Today will be an important day to rest and become more acclimatized before you climb even higher. You can choose to soak in the spectacular views from camp or explore the valley on your own.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,900m / 9,350’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Climb over the Barranco Wall and into Karanga Valley
You’ll be glad to be well-rested this morning as you take on the impressive Barranco Wall. It’s a steep hike up and over, but you’ll enjoy the views from the top as you crest the ridge and descend into the Karanga Valley.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,995m / 13,106’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5 km, 50m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Hike to Barafu Camp and complete the Southern Circuit
Your trail today continues around the Southern Circuit, which means you’ll get to see the inspiring summit from nearly all angles. Head to bed after an early dinner in preparation for your midnight departure and summit attempt tomorrow!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,673m / 15,331’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 4 km, 650m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Sunrise, summit, and start descending
Enjoy those short hours in your sleeping bag because this morning’s hike will be cold and dark as you head out after midnight. The hike this morning will be the most challenging yet, as the steep and loose trail will be cold with very little oxygen. Despite being short of breath, make sure you take a moment to take in Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers as you pass between them and begin the scramble up to Stella Point. Here your efforts will be rewarded with an inspirational sunset before your final hour to the peak.
Congratulations! At the summit, you’ve reached Africa’s highest point and have a moment to celebrate. From Uhuru Peak, you’ll begin your descent back down the mountain on Mweka Trail. Although the descent may be tough on your knees, you’ll find it becoming easier to breathe as the elevation decreases.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,100m / 10,170)
Distance: 10 to 13 hours, 18 km, 1195m of ascent and 2800m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Trek back into the rainforest and return to Moshi
After a great sleep, you’ll continue down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll receive your summit certificate, and your driver will take you back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 1680m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Price and Dates
This guided hiking tour of Mount Kilimanjaro is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the pricing depends on your group size.Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from USD2020* per person
Accommodation on the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Tour
All the included accommodations are camping tents at designated camps along the trail. Tents are good quality and waterproof with a sleeping pad. The provided tents are double occupancy. Private tents and private toilets can be rented as additional gear.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private tent (please enquire for more information).
What’s included in the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Accommodations
Camping accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes the transfers between Moshi and the trailhead before and after the tour. Airport transfers can be booked as a supplement.
Also Included
- Experienced mountain guides
- Porter and cook
- Park fees
- Quality four-season tents (based on twin share)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation, camping and rescue fees
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
Not included
- Visas if required
- Flights to and from Tanzania
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc. (rental options are available)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
Not included
- Extra nights in Moshi or Arusha
- Private toilet rental added to your gear
- Additional equipment rentals (available locally)
- Private tent rental
- Add-on bundles are available
- Airport transfers
- How hard is the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route tour?
- Is there first aid available on the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?
- Are meals included on the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Moshi to start this tour?
- Is the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route tour in English?
- Are equipment rentals included?
- Where does the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Tanzania?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Tanzania?
- When is the best time to travel to Tanzania for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 5 / 5. The Umbwe Route is short and steep with little time to acclimatize to the elevation. It is recommended that only hikers with a lot of experience at high elevations attempt this route. The extra day to acclimatize will help increase your chances of success. No technical climbing skills are required, but the trail can be very steep with challenging footing in some sections.
Yes, the experienced and professional guides are all trained in first aid as well as in the use of personal protective equipment.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking at high altitudes. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
A tent, sleeping pad, and mess tent are all included. You’ll need to provide your own personal trekking equipment such as a sleeping bag, hiking boots, and trekking poles. You will have the opportunity to rent anything you are missing locally the day before your departure.
The tour ends with a transfer back to Moshi. Airport transfers or extra nights in Moshi can be booked as a supplement.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is when the weather is warmest and driest, which tends to be December-March and June-October.
Customer Ratings
Monkey Adventures is an East African (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) operator offering Safari Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs, and Gorilla tracking (Uganda). They have offices in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. The company offers Kilimanjaro climbs over different routes with a duration of 5 days to 9 days and all their departures are guaranteed. You can opt for a group joining trek (depending on if there is a group on that day) or a private trek just for your group.
Monkey Adventures is proud to share that the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Government of Tanzania recently presented them with the “Best Tour Operator” award for 2018/2019 and the company has also been recognized as the Travellers’ Choice Winner – 2020 by Tripadvisor. In the past, Monkey Adventures have also won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019.
Monkey Adventures guides hold certifications such as Kilimanjaro Guide Licence, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Tourism College Certificates, Kilimanjaro search and rescue, High altitude Medicine Skills Acquisition Program for Mountain Guide, and more.
