Umbwe Route

The Umbwe Route is the shortest and steepest of the Kilimanjaro hiking routes. Despite the challenging uphill climb, the Umbwe route promises some breathtaking views of the ridges.  After the first two days of hiking, you’ll eventually join with the Machame route and Lemosho route. From there, you’ll climb up the Great Barranco Wall to Karanga Valley and Barafu Camp and finally the summit point of Uhuru Peak.

Umbwe Route Overview

This Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking is the hardest but offers the most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. You’ll be navigating through the forested ridge to the moorlands, negotiating the Southern Ice fields to reach the Barafu Route. Where you’ll begin your summit attempt. You will require to make an early start on the summit day/night to reach Stella Point, on the Crater Rim by dawn. Uhuru Peak lies a little further, around 40 min. along the rim. Kinesi Tours Safari uses the Mweka Route for the descent afterward.

As the Umbwe Route is the most direct route on the mountain, it ascends steeply through the forest up to Barranco Camp on the south side. Therefore, in terms of acclimatization, this route will be the hardest. Which justifies why only 589 people trek via the Umbwe route each year.

Highlights Of The Umbwe Route

• Panoramic views
• A challenge for seasoned climbers
• Promises thrilling adventure
• Shorter acclimatization period
• Low Kilimanjaro summit success rate
• Comparatively less scenic
• Steep climb
• Ideal for athletes or professional hikers with a knack for quick acclimatization

How Scenic Is The Umbwe Route?

The Umbwe route is comparatively less scenic than the other Kilimanjaro hiking routes because of its steep and quick ascends. Having said that, you can still expect to see beautiful scenery on your hike through the rainforest, moorland, and high-altitude desert.

Umbwe Route Summit Success rate

The Umbwe Route is the shortest and not to mention the most direct Kilimanjaro route. Which essentially means less time for acclimatization. Sadly, the Kilimanjaro Summit Success of the Umbwe route is also low. Kinesi Tours Safari recommends pre-acclimatization for climbing Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe route. 

• 5-day Itinerary- 50%
• 6-day Itinerary- 65%.

No matter what, the Umbwe Route guarantees an epic thrilling adventure. With the right Kilimanjaro preparation and sound awareness climbing Kilimanjaro via Umbwe Route is achievable. Kinesi Tours Safari provides all camping equipment as a part of their Kilimanjaro climbing Package including your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and pillow. To know more about our super successful Kilimanjaro itinerary visit our website today.