Umbwe Route
Umbwe route is one of the express but sharpest routes to the Southern Glaciers, affording one view of the forests, valleys, magnificent vegetation, and glaciers. Though, hikers must be pre-acclimatized prior to trying this route particularly if one opts to summit via Western Breach as you gain altitude very rapidly over a smaller distance. This, however, does not make the Umbwe Route a technical route up Kilimanjaro just physically challenging.
That thought, not may climbers select for this route. As for stats, only about 200 hikers try this route a year related to tens of thousands on the likes of the Machame and Marangu routes. The rewards this route offers is not only the physical challenge but you also get the luxury of trekking in privacy at slightest till you meet up with the other explorers at Barranco Camp. From there, you can opt to follow others around to Barafu or via Western Breach.
-
Departure/Return Location
Arusha City
Tour Plan
Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
- Total distance: 10km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
- Total distance: 7km
- Hiking Time (approx.): 6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Distance: 5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Distance: 4km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6-8 hours for descend to Mweka Camp
- Distance: 5 km ascent and 11 km descent
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Total distance: 5km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours