Umbwe is the most direct route up Kilimanjaro. It climbs steeply along a forest ridge from the south and joins the Machame trail at Barranco Camp. It covers about 53 km over six or seven days and is the least used of the main routes.
Umbwe at a glance
| Length | 6–7 days, about 53 km |
|---|---|
| Start | Umbwe Gate, about 1,600 m |
| Descent | Mweka Route |
| Sleeping | Tents |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Crowds | Very quiet until Barranco |
A typical itinerary
| Day | Stage | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umbwe Gate up a steep forest ridge to Umbwe Cave Camp | About 2,940 m |
| 2 | Along the ridge to Barranco Camp | About 3,960 m |
| 3 | Acclimatisation day or Barranco Wall to Karanga | About 4,035 m |
| 4 | Karanga to Barafu Camp | About 4,670 m |
| 5 | Summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), down to Mweka Camp | About 3,100 m |
| 6 | Down to Mweka Gate | Moshi |
Why it is hard
Umbwe gains more than 2,000 metres in the first two days. The first day is a steep, root-covered climb through forest, sometimes using tree roots as handholds. Gaining height this quickly gives the body little time to adjust, so the risk of altitude sickness is higher than on longer routes. Read altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro.
Who Umbwe suits
Strong, experienced trekkers who have been to altitude before and want a quiet, challenging route. It is not a good choice for first-time high-altitude climbers. An extra day at Barranco or Karanga makes it safer.
Better choices for most climbers
If you want quiet trails and good acclimatisation, the Lemosho Route or the Northern Circuit is a better choice. For a classic route at a fair price, consider Machame. Compare them in which Kilimanjaro route to choose.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is the steepest and gains height fastest, which makes acclimatisation harder.
About 53 km over six or seven days.
No. It suits experienced trekkers who have been to high altitude before.
