6 Days 5 Nights Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Duration
6 days
Group Size
1 - 7 people
Ages
2-99 yrs
Languages
English, France, German, Italiano, Español

Tour Details

Tour Overview

Umbwe route is a less popular trail that deserves attention. In the past, it was perceived as a difficult route. However, while it is steeper in the first two days, the route is still suitable for many hikers. It begins on the southern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, converging with Lemosho route and Machame route on the third day before the Barranco Wall. A key characteristic of Umbwe is that during the first two days you will hardly see other trekkers. It’s available in 6 or 7-day itineraries, with the seven-day option being the recommended one for beginners without prior acclimatization. Overall, it’s a very scenic route that will allow you to see some of the best views on Kilimanjaro, traverse all of the mountain’s climatic zones, and observe its unique plants and animals.


We at Kisangara Tours have been organizing Mount Kilimanjaro expeditions for over 10 years and have gathered detailed data on summit success rates for each route. Umbwe route was traditionally available in 6-day itinerary, while the 7-day variation is our latest addition. Here’s the Umbwe route summit success rate:
Umbwe route 6 days – Uhuru Peak: 97.1% ; Crater Rim: 97.8%
Umbwe route 7 days – N/A. Very likely to be even higher.
The summit success rates for Umbwe 6 are really impressive, aren’t they? However, we must note that due to its perceived reputation, the route is often chosen by very strong trekkers who make it to the top despite any challenges. The summit success rate for the average person might be a little lower, being similar to Machame 6 – close to 90%. However, the good news is that we are now offering a new 7-day itinerary, which will boast a more gradual acclimatization profile and less demanding transitions.
Few operators can boast such summit success rates not just on paper but in practice. Our Wilderness First Responder-certified guides conduct two medical check-ups per day and are ready to offer help at any moment if somebody feels unwell because of the altitude. The largest inventory of oxygen tanks in the region, as well as in-depth safety protocols and extensive medical kits, allow us to make your acclimatization as comfortable and safe as possible. Since the most challenging thing when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the high altitude, it’s essential to choose a Kilimanjaro operator that will prioritize your well-being, thus giving you the best chances of summiting.

Tour Highlights

  • This is a mid-range camping tour.
  • On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 7 people per group.
  • If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
  • Single travelers can join this group tour, but it requires a minimum of 7 people to run.
  • You can request changes to this tour.
  • The minimum age for this tour is 5 years.

Activities and Transportation

  • Getting around: hiking or trekking on foot
  • A transfer from and back to the airport is included.

Itinerary

Arrival: Airport Pick Up
  • Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Kisangara Tours Travel representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb. Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Extra charges will apply for additional individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, sync your group's arrival and departure times.
Day 1: Trekking from Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
Your guide and climbing support crew will arrive at your hotel in the morning. Introductions and the final brief equipment check will precede your drive to the Umbwe Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. This entrance, situated at 1,800 m /5,904 f above sea level, is where your trek starts. The chief guide will finalize the permits and registration for search and rescue services. Your first day of trekking is meant to bring you to Umbwe Camp for your first overnight camping. Climbing up to 2,850 m /9,348 f is a long haul with a significant increase in altitude, so find the right pace for the whole group and stick with it. As this part of the Umbwe route goes through the rainforest, there is a high probability of rain showers - do not forget your raincoat! Your support crew will have prepared the camp and dinner by the time you arrive at the camp.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
  • Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
  • To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns. At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2: Trekking from Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp
This day starts with an early wake-up and filling breakfast before your team starts the trek to Barranco Camp. The rainforest will quickly give way to moorland, and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see Meru Volcano for the first time. This day's trek is moderate in length and around lunchtime it is expected that you will reach Barranco Camp (3,900 m /12,792 f), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault. Lunch will be provided here, and then you will have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day, which significantly facilitates the acclimatization process.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • Drinking Water (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 3: Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
This day begins with another early wake-up and a filling breakfast before your group starts to climb Barranco Wall. We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid other groups and crowds on the way, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to go on an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200 m /656 f gain in altitude and then descend back down to the camp.

The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 4: Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
In the morning after breakfast, you will begin your hike to Barafu Summit Camp (4,673 m /15,327 f), the starting point for the night summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax as soon as you arrive. After regaining strength, you will need to go on an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870 m /15,974 f) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range Camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 5: Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp
The group leaves Barafu Camp at around midnight. This night you will climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). Although the trek itself is not difficult, the high altitude means that even regular physical activity feels strenuous. For the final summit, we pair every two climbers with a personal guide whose responsibility it is to monitor their physical and mental well-being more closely. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak you may choose to walk to one of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers. The group will then return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before the descent to the Millenium Camp at 3,950 m /12,956 f. Please note that while descent brings relief from high altitude, it is also where most accidents and injuries (as much as 90%) happen. It is easy to avoid falling and possibly breaking a limb, as well as damaging your toenails if you just watch your step.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak)
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range Camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 5: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
Millennium Camp sits amidst a rainforest. The lower altitude, as well as the realization of having reached your goal, make for a good night's sleep. The group will set out on the last leg of the journey towards Mweka Gate - national park exit (1,640 m /5,379 f) upon finishing breakfast. This will be your last opportunity to share memories of the climb with your guides and support team. You will receive your certificates of accomplishment at our offices before being driven back to your hotel.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak)
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range Camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 6: Departure
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
  • Main Destination: Either Moshi Town or Arusha City
  • Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
    • Drinking Water (Other Drinks not included)
End of Tour
  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

What's included

Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the itinerary section)
Drinking water (On all days)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Inquiry Form
Travel Date
Duration (days)

Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

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