Compare 6-day Umbwe tours & save time hiking this Umbwe route 6-day itinerary. This especially applies if you’re an experienced mountaineer with a hiking history above 4,000m/13,000ft.
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Difficulty:
Very High
Distance:
53km/32mi
Duration:
6 Days
Success Rate:
60%
The Umbwe route often attracts a much younger crowd and is often used, along with the Marangu route, as a record-breaking route. The trails are raw, unkempt and are very steep until Barranco camp. Unless acclimatized at 4,000m/13,000ft prior to your trek, chances of reaching the summit using this route are extremely low.
If this is your first-time hiking at high elevations (above 3,000m/9,900ft), you should know that the most effective way to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is to properly acclimatize during your hike. Short and uneven routes like the 6-day Umbwe route are terrible for acclimatization systems to be utilized. See, on Kilimanjaro, there are 2 systems that prevent altitude sickness:
- The first method, Pole Pole (Slow-Slow in English), requires you to be on the mountain long enough for your body to acclimate to various altitudes.
- The second method, Trek-High & Sleep-Low, calls for trails to have gradual inclines in order for you to trek to high elevations and sleep at lower altitudes. This method conditions your body to anticipate elevation changes while helping you adjust during your sleep.
Unless you’re an experienced mountaineer, you should seriously consider trekking Lemosho route’s 8-day variation. This will give you ample time to adjust to elevation changes and will make for a much better hiking experience. The 8-day Lemosho program, unlike the 6-day Umbwe hike, performs extremely well with hikers that are under 40 years of age and have no hiking experience to high elevations.
Highlights From This Long-Distance Trail
Best Time To Hike Umbwe Route
Dietary Food Menus Served On Mount Kilimanjaro
All of your meals on Kilimanjaro are freshly cooked by excellent chefs and served according to your dietary preference.
Meet Your Tanzanian Tour Guide
Oscar (Cheni)
Cheni is technical and has extensive knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro. He is one of our best lead guides and is well trained to handle emergencies on the mountain.
Safety Trekking Materials & Hiking Equipment
High-Altitude Kits
Medication & Sanitary Treatments
Wraps, Splints & Wound Coverings
Tools & Supplies
Evacuation Protocols On This Walking Tour
Transportation & Meeting Points
Departure Time
10:00 AM
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees | |
| Conservation Fees | $70/Per Day |
| Camping Fees | $50/Per Night |
| Rescue Fees | $20/Per Hiker |
| Guide and Porter Entrance Fees | $2/Per Supporting Crew |
| Forest Entry Fees | $10/Per Hiker |
| Forest Vehicle Entry Fees | $20/Per Vehicle |
| Forest Support Crew Entry Fees | $1/Per Supporting Crew |
| Tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Retail Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Total | $1,027.60 |
Compare Umbwe Route’s 6-Day Prices & Package Tours
Open Group Treks
Save Costs Hiking Umbwe Route’s 6 Day Tour With A Kilimanjaro Group. Package includes:
$2,528
Private Treks
Get Kilimanjaro Privacy & Flexibility Hiking This 6 Day Umbwe Private Tour. Package includes:
$2,860
Package Tours Exclude
How To Book A Package Tour
Payment Process
Paying For Group Treks
Paying For Private Treks
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6-Day Mountain Climbing Itinerary & Cumulative Elevation Gains
DAY 1 — KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
All trekkers will have to arrange their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and apply for their own visas through the online immigration portal. Visa guidelines are also available on the official immigration website.
Note, if you’re arriving from a country subject to yellow fever, you will be required to show proof of vaccination. A 72-hour PCR test is required for entry.
A transfer will be arranged to drop off you and your luggage at the hotel to unwind from your travels. Briefing will take place in the evening or early morning.
Airport Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Hotel Drop-Off
DAY 2 — UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAMP
Your day begins with a 1 hour drive to the Machame Gate for registrations while the posters gather belongings for the trip. The trail starts off through a forest and sharply ascends up the mountain as the route narrows towards a ridge. Expect unkempt trails on this route.
Elevation: 5,249ft-9,514ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 7 mi/11 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
DAY 3 — UMBWE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP
Your second day follows a rocket terrain as you gain elevation. The trail flattens as you near Barranco Valley before descending to Barranco camp.
Elevation: 9,514ft-13,044ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 mi/6 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
DAY 4 — BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
After breakfast, you’ll descend down a ravine toward the base of Barranco Wall just prior to climbing the steep 900ft cliff. This day is designed for acclimatization. From the great Barranco wall, you’ll cross a series of hills and valleys as you descend Karanga Valley to retire at Karanga camp.
Elevation: 13,044ft-13,106ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 3 mi/5 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 5 — KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
After an early breakfast, you’ll hit the trails crossing the junction descending down to Mweka Gate before resuming up the rocky interval leading to Barafu Hut. This is a strong indication that you’ve made it past the southern circuit. This point offers views of the summit from many angles. You’ll rest and dine here as you prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 13,106ft-15,331ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 2 mi/4 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 6— BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT)
Around midnight, you’ll begin your push toward the summit. You’re required to be mentally and physically keen as this will be the most challenging section of your trek. Expect extreme wind and cold weather as you ascend in darkness for several hours. You’ll have frequent breaks along the path past Stella Point before arriving at your summit at Uhuru Peak.
Elevation: 15,331ft-19,341ft
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Distance: 3 mi/5 km
Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT) TO MWEKA CAMP
Once you make your way to the highest point of the mountain, you’ll be guided down to Mweka Hut after having your lunch at Barafu.
Elevation: 19,341ft-10,065ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 7 mi/12 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 7 — MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
Your last day on the mountain will be awarded with a certificate at Mweka Gate. Once at the gate, you’ll continue down Mweka village before arriving at a vehicle that will transport you back to Moshi town.
Elevation: 10,065ft-5,380ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 6 mi/10 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 8 —KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/NEXT TOUR
If you have booked a Wildlife Safari or Zanzibar Beach Holiday package with us, you’ll be transferred to the next chapter of your journey. If you have not booked an additional trip with XPATS International, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
Hotel Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Next Expedition
Lodging
Overnight Stays At The Hotel Before & After Your Hike
Camping Tents At The Mountain’s Campsites
Trekking Map Of The Umbwe Route On Kilimanjaro
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