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What is the hardest route up Mount Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro's Summit at Uhuru Peak

The Umbwe route is the hardest route up Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the steepest and the most direct route up Kilimanjaro.  The Umbwe route is the most physically and mentally demanding route.

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Lemosho Route
8 Days Min Age: 6+
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Northern Circuit
9 Days Min Age: 6+
Easy
Kilimanjaro Trek – 92% Success Rate
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Machame Route
7 Days Min Age: 6+
Moderate
Kilimanjaro Trek – 92% Success Rate
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Rongai Route
7 Days Min Age: 6+
Easy
Kilimanjaro Trek – 80% Success Rate
7 Days — Rongai Route
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Umbwe Route
6 Days Min Age: 12+
Hard
Kilimanjaro Trek – 60% Success Rate
6 Days — Umbwe Route
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Lemosho Route
7 Days Min Age: 6+
Moderate
Kilimanjaro Trek – 96% Success Rate
7 Days — Lemosho Route
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Machame Route
6 Days Min Age: 6+
Moderate
Kilimanjaro Trek – 88% Success Rate
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Marangu Route
6 Days Min Age: 6+
Easy
Kilimanjaro Trek – 56% Success Rate
6 Days — Marangu Route
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Marangu Route
5 Days Min Age: 6+
Easy
Kilimanjaro Trek – 42% Success Rate
5 Days — Marangu Route
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          Table Of Contents

          What is the hardest route up Mount Kilimanjaro?

          The hardest route up Mount Kilimanjaro is the Umbwe route. It covers about 33 miles (53 kilometers) and takes approximately a week. It has rapid climbing so it allows minimal time for adjusting.

          Umbwe Route on Mount Kilimanjaro

          The first 48 hours are steep and muddy, and physically very slow. Because of this, the chance of reaching the top is low. The climb achievement rate is among the lowest, which is why the Umbwe route is the least popular path on Mount Kilimanjaro. Around 500 individuals try it each year. Mount Kilimanjaro requires proper acclimatization, but the Umbwe route does not offer adequate acclimatization. That is why it is suitable for very fit hikers. Extremely fit hikers have prior experience climbing at high elevations and confidence in how well they can acclimatize. The Umbwe route arrives at the Barranco campsite and joins the southern circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent uses the Mweka route. The terrain is varied and scenic, including rainforest and water-carved ravines.

          What is the distance of the Umbwe route on Mount Kilimanjaro?

          The standard total trekking distance of the Umbwe route is about 53 kilometers (33 miles).

          Kilimanjaro Packages
          Lemosho Route
          8 Days Min Age: 6+
          Moderate
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 98% Success Rate
          8 Days — Lemosho Route
          Select Package Tier
          Northern Circuit
          9 Days Min Age: 6+
          Easy
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 92% Success Rate
          9 Days — Northern Circuit
          Select Package Tier
          Machame Route
          7 Days Min Age: 6+
          Moderate
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 92% Success Rate
          7 Days — Machame Route
          Select Package Tier
          Rongai Route
          7 Days Min Age: 6+
          Easy
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 80% Success Rate
          7 Days — Rongai Route
          Select Package Tier
          Umbwe Route
          6 Days Min Age: 12+
          Hard
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 60% Success Rate
          6 Days — Umbwe Route
          Select Package Tier
          Lemosho Route
          7 Days Min Age: 6+
          Moderate
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 96% Success Rate
          7 Days — Lemosho Route
          Select Package Tier
          Machame Route
          6 Days Min Age: 6+
          Moderate
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 88% Success Rate
          6 Days — Machame Route
          Select Package Tier
          Marangu Route
          6 Days Min Age: 6+
          Easy
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 56% Success Rate
          6 Days — Marangu Route
          Select Package Tier
          Marangu Route
          5 Days Min Age: 6+
          Easy
          Kilimanjaro Trek – 42% Success Rate
          5 Days — Marangu Route
          Select Package Tier

          Duration
          Min Age
          Difficulty
          Success Rate
            Trek Highlights
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                  About the author

                  John is a travel agent in Tanzania with extensive tourism experience since 2019 when he founded XPATS International Travel, a local travel agency recognized for its focus on affordable package tour options for standard and luxury excursion trips to Mount Kilimanjaro, in addition to African safari tours beyond hiking the summit. He was born on August 1, 1993 at the KCMC (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center) hospital in Moshi, Tanzania. At the age of 4 years old, John and his family left Tanzania to begin his journey as a third culture kid and he has so far lived in Tanzania, Namibia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Cambodia and the Netherlands. Work Experience --- John has been climbing Kilimanjaro since the age of 16, when he would visit relatives in Tanzania during easter breaks. As of date, he has scaled the mountain for a total of 4 times along Marangu Route, Machame Route, Lemosho Route and Umbwe Route. Furthermore, he has explored various safari parks in Africa such as the Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Manyara National Park and the Conservation Area. John does a great job at tailoring personalized experiences that include hotel lodging upon arrival, airport transportation, comfortable tourism vehicles, well trained tour guide teams, as well as a wide selection of cozy accommodations in prime camping and lodge locations. Hobbies and Activities --- John enjoys a very healthy and active life that include various sports such as basketball, soccer, cycling and strength training. These activities keep him focused throughout the day and foster endurance to handle heaps of clients during the high seasons of tourism in Tanzania. Contacts --- John is available to connect and chat via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, email and phone.
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