6 Days Kilimanjaro Trek – Umbwe Route

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Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Difficult Level

Challenging

Minimum Age

10 Years

Best time

January

Tour Overview

The Umbwe Route is the steepest, most direct and most challenging way up Kilimanjaro. It is intended for fit, experienced hikers who want a quiet, adventurous climb. From the southern rainforest, a narrow ridge climbs almost relentlessly to the Barranco Valley, where it joins the western routes.

This itinerary takes the rarely used Western Breach: from Arrow Glacier Camp you scramble up through a gap in the crater wall and spend a night at Crater Camp (5,730 m), inside Kilimanjaro's crater, beside the glaciers and close to the Ash Pit. The final climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) at sunrise is short, and you may have the summit almost to yourself.

The Western Breach involves steep scrambling on rock and scree, and helmets are required. It is only open when park authorities and our guides judge conditions to be safe. If it is closed, your guide will take you over the Barranco Wall and up via Karanga and Barafu instead. Because the ascent is fast, previous high-altitude experience is strongly recommended.

Your climb is led by experienced, licensed Licaon Safaris mountain guides, supported by porters and a cook who prepares fresh, hearty meals every day. You sleep in quality four-season mountain tents with sleeping mats, and eat in a mess tent with table and chairs. Your guides carry a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter and check your health every morning and evening.

Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the best conditions are in the dry seasons, from late June to October and from January to early March, when the trails are drier and the skies clearer. April, May and November are the rainy months; the mountain is quieter then, but expect wet forest sections and cloud.

Itinerary details

Day 1

Umbwe Gate (1,600 m) – Umbwe Cave Camp (2,940 m): about 11 km / 5–7 hours

Elevation: 1,600 m → 2,940 m (+1,340 m)
Distance: about 11 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
Overnight: Umbwe Cave Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

The Umbwe Route is the steepest and most direct way up Kilimanjaro, and it is for fit, experienced hikers. After the drive from Moshi through the village of Mango, you register at Umbwe Gate and set off on a forestry track that soon narrows into a steep path along a ridge.

The trail climbs relentlessly through dense rainforest, using tree roots as natural steps. Between the trees you catch glimpses of deep ravines on either side. Umbwe Cave Camp sits in the forest near a rock overhang, and it is a quiet, atmospheric place to spend your first night.

Guide’s tip: The first day is steep from the start. Set a slow, steady rhythm and use tree roots as steps rather than big strides.

Day 2

Umbwe Cave Camp (2,940 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m): about 6 km / 4–5 hours

Elevation: 2,940 m → 3,960 m (+1,020 m)
Distance: about 6 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Heath and moorland
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The narrow ridge continues upward as the forest gives way to heather and moorland. The views become dramatic, with the summit glaciers ahead and steep drop-offs on either side of the trail.

The path eventually eases and descends into the Great Barranco Valley, where you join the Machame and Lemosho routes. Barranco Camp lies beneath the imposing Western Breach and the Barranco Wall, and you arrive in time for a relaxed afternoon.

Guide’s tip: The ridge has steep drops on both sides. Stay on the path, follow your guide's line and take photos only when you have stopped.

Day 3

Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Lava Tower (4,630 m) – Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800 m): about 6 km / 4–5 hours

Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,800 m (+840 m)
Distance: about 6 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Overnight: Arrow Glacier Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Instead of crossing the Barranco Wall, you climb north towards the Lava Tower, a 90-metre volcanic plug, through a barren landscape of rock and scree. Lunch is taken in its shelter.

From the Lava Tower, a short climb leads to Arrow Glacier Camp, a remote, high campsite at the foot of the Western Breach. Only a few climbers pass this way, and the silence is striking. Rest and hydrate well this afternoon, as tomorrow is a demanding day.

Guide’s tip: Arrow Glacier Camp is very high for day three. Tell your guide at once about any severe headache, nausea or dizziness. Their priority is your safety, not the schedule.

Day 4

Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800 m) – Western Breach – Crater Camp (5,730 m): about 2 km / 5–7 hours

Elevation: 4,800 m → 5,730 m (+930 m)
Distance: about 2 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Rock, scree and glacier
Overnight: Crater Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early start takes you up the Western Breach, a steep scramble over rock and scree to a gap in the crater wall. It is the most challenging section of any standard route on Kilimanjaro. Helmets are worn, and your guides lead carefully, choosing the safest line and moving through the steep sections efficiently.

Emerging onto the crater floor, you are surrounded by towering glacier walls, with the Ash Pit and Reusch Crater nearby. Crater Camp, at 5,730 m, is one of the highest campsites in Africa. The night is extremely cold, but the experience of sleeping inside Kilimanjaro's crater is unique.

Guide’s tip: Keep your helmet on and follow your guide's instructions exactly on the Breach. Move steadily through the loose sections and rest in the safe spots your guide chooses.

Day 5

Crater Camp (5,730 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,100 m): about 1 km up, 12 km down / 1–2 hours up, 5–7 hours down

Elevation: 5,730 m → 5,895 m (+165 m), then → 3,100 m (−2,795 m)
Distance: about 1 km up, 12 km down
Hiking time: 1–2 hours up, 5–7 hours down
Habitat: Glacier, scree and alpine desert
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A pre-dawn start brings you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, in time for sunrise. Because you slept in the crater, the final climb is short, and you can enjoy the summit in the early morning light, with the glaciers glowing around you.

After photos at the summit sign, you descend past Stella Point and down the long scree slopes to Barafu Camp, then continue on to Mweka Camp at the forest edge. Your legs will feel it, but the thickening air makes every step easier.

Guide’s tip: Sleeping at 5,730 m is hard, so don't worry if you get little rest. The summit is only a short walk away, and your body will thank you as you descend.

Day 6

Mweka Camp (3,100 m) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m): about 10 km / 3–4 hours

Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m (−1,460 m)
Distance: about 10 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane rainforest
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi or Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your crew gathers for a farewell song and dance, a Kilimanjaro tradition and a great moment to thank the team that carried you to the top. The trail then descends through lush rainforest, where you may spot colobus monkeys, and the air feels rich and warm after the cold of the summit.

At Mweka Gate you sign out of the park, and successful climbers receive their official summit certificates: green for Stella Point, gold for Uhuru Peak. Your driver meets you here for the transfer back to your hotel and a hot shower.

Guide’s tip: The trail can be slippery and muddy in the forest, so keep your poles out and your boots laced tightly. Your crew's farewell song is a highlight, so have your camera ready.

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Tour Costs

Per person Sharing

Number of PAX

Solo Traveler

2 People

3 People

4 People

5 People

6 People

Price

$2,108

$1,757

$1,687

$1,658

$1,647

$1,628

Price includes

All meals and accommodations during the entire safari
A very high quality safari land cruiser with pop-up roof
A professional English speaking safari guide
Unlimited mineral water during the entire safari
Kilimanjaro tea/coffee during game drive
All park fees for all the national parks
Unlimited game drives
All transfers
Flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
Zanzibar activities as in the itinerary
Mto wa mbu cultural walk
Flying doctors rescue cover

Price excludes

Visas
International flights
Lodge and Guides Tips
Drinks at the lodges
All personal related

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