Climbing the Kilimanjaro

9 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro – Umbwe Route in 6 Days

From $2187 USD* / Park fees / 9 days

*Price p.p. incl. transfers, accommodation, food, drinks, guides, tents and park fees. Excl. International flight (based on six persons)

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9 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro – Umbwe Route in 6 Days

Umbwe route is the shortest of all routes in terms of the distance you travel to the top of Kilimanjaro. Therefore the increase in altitude per day is very high. You hike steep through the valley and directly up to the summit. Because this route is so extreme and demands a lot from your body, it is also known as the “Double Whiskey Route”. The Umbwe route is only suitable for climbers who have already been at a comparable altitude and know how their body reacts to such an extreme increase in altitude.

If you want to add an additional day to the Umbwe route, this is of course possible and even recommended. An extra day gives your body more time to get used to the altitude and increases the chance that you will reach the top of Kilimanjaro without suffering from altitude sickness.

Tanzania Specialist offers a unique service throughout the climb

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent to Uhuru Peak via the Umbwe route. Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.

Mountaineering is a relatively primitive sport. You will sleep in simple but high-quality tents during the ascent. Our customers experience climbing Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe route as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.

  1. It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
  2. Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
  3. Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.

If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?

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At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

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Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb
  • Day 2: Umbwe Route day 1: Umbwe Gate (1400 m) - Umbwe Cave Camp (3000 m)
  • Day 3: Umbwe Route day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp (3000 m) - Barranco Camp (3960 m)
  • Day 4: Umbwe Route day 3: Barranco Camp (3960 m) to Karanga Camp (3950 m) via Barranco Wall (4200 m)
  • Day 5: Umbwe Route day 4: Karanga Camp (3950 m) - Barafu Camp (4640 m)
  • Day 6: Umbwe Route day 5: Barafu Camp (4640 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Millennium Camp (3820 m)
  • Day 7: Umbwe Route day 6: Millennium Camp (3820 m) - Mweka Gate (1650 m) - Hotel
  • Day 8 - 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Tanzania Specialist guide will be there waiting for you. He will drop you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You will meet your guide before the beginning of your climb. He will brief you and give you details, like what to wear, what to put in your backpack and other important tips to make the climb as comfortable as possible for you.

Day 2: Umbwe Route day 1: Umbwe Gate (1400 m) - Umbwe Cave Camp (3000 m)

Today your driver will pick you up at the hotel and drive you to the Umbwe Gate to complete the registration formalities. Your Kilimanjaro climb begins through a dense rainforest where you can hear and see different types of animals. As you get close to the Umbwe River the route becomes steeper but you can already see the Kibo peak in the distance whilst admiring the deep valleys around you. The climb ends after 5-7 hours at Umbwe Cave Camp.

Day 3: Umbwe Route day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp (3000 m) - Barranco Camp (3960 m)

Leave the rainforest and enter the heather with rocks and valleys around you. The ascent becomes steeper at the Umbwe Route Ridge and flattens out again near the Barranco Valley. After a 4 to 5-hour hike, you will have dinner and overnight at the Barranco Camp in the valley below the Barranco wall.

Day 4: Umbwe Route day 3: Barranco Camp (3960 m) to Karanga Camp (3950 m) via Barranco Wall (4200 m)

This morning, you will hike to the Barranco wall where you have a spectacular view of the Kibo volcano to the left and of Mount Meru to the right. Then a more difficult route to Karanga Camp begins, with many ascents and descents. Once at the camp, you will have lunch and a couple of hours' break. You can then go on a 300-meter acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp and then descend back to Karanga Camp for the night.

Day 5: Umbwe Route day 4: Karanga Camp (3950 m) - Barafu Camp (4640 m)

On this 4th day on the mountain, you will walk to Barafu Camp which will be the starting point for your summit push to Uhuru Peak. You will arrive at the camp around noon and have lunch and a bit of rest and then you can enjoy another acclimatization walk to Kosovo Summit Camp (4800 m) before heading back to Barafu Camp. Warm up with a hot dinner and relax for the rest of the day before starting the climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, at midnight!

Day 6: Umbwe Route day 5: Barafu Camp (4640 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Millennium Camp (3820 m)

Around midnight, you will start your final push to Uhuru Peak. You will ascend on good trails, whilst your guide keeps an eye on you to monitor your physical and mental state facing the altitude. Once you reach the top, enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the roof of Africa! After partying at the summit, you will descend to the next glacier and then go back through Barafu Camp to continue the descent to Millennium Camp after a two-hour break.

Day 7: Umbwe Route day 6: Millennium Camp (3820 m) - Mweka Gate (1650 m) - Hotel

Millenium Camp is located in a tropical rainforest where you will feel pleasant due to the low altitude and yesterday's summit success. After breakfast, you will walk to the exit of the national park and your driver will take you back to the hotel, where you can recover from the rigours of the climb.

Day 8 - 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!

Make your dream trip come true with Tanzania Specialist

At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

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  • 100% specialized in Tanzania
  • Skilled travel consultants living in Tanzania
  • World class safari guides
  • Competitive rates
  • Top rated private safaris
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