UMBWE ROUTE 6 DAYS+ 2 nights hotel |
The Umbwe Route is a challenging, steep and direct climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its beautiful, dense forest and stunning views. It is only meant for extremely fit individuals who want to challenge themselves and know what they are getting into.
MOST CHALLENGING
The Umbwe route is deservedly considered most challenging because of the fast direct ascent to high altitudes. It does not provide the time needed for acclimatization, which leads to altitude sickness.
NON-TECHNICAL CLIMB
Despite its difficulty, the Umbwe route is a non-technical climb. It offers steep ascents and requires trekkers to scramble over rocks and tree roots at certain points.
FANTASTIC VIEWS
The early days of this path have arguably the best views of any part of the mountain, save perhaps the summit itself. At times, there are stunning vistas to be seen to both the left and the right as you make your way up the trail.
LOW SUCCESS
Because of it’s steep, direct approach, the success rate on Umbwe route is lower than some of the other routes.
LEAST CROWDED
Because of its reputation as a difficult climb, very few people actually walk this trail, leaving it open and relatively untouched.
Is Umbwe Route for Me?
Being a short, steep and direct route, Umbwe is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low. It is recommended to very strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize.
Umbwe Route Prices
We do no compromise on safety and quality, so our prices are not the cheapest. However, they are also not unreasonably high like some other companies. We take a lot of pride in the value for money we provide to each and every client.
THE CLIMB COST INCLUDES
Transfers:
Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi
Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park
Entry fees:
Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Accommodation:
Accommodation at hotel in Moshi.
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents)
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)
Hiking and safety equipment:
4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
If you choose extra comfort package you additionally will have walk-in tents, sleeping cots, hot water bottles for the night as well as portable toilets included
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
GPS-tracking service
Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Climbing crew:
Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
Taxes:
18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. We have honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
THE CLIMB COST EXCLUDES
International flights
Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
Personal gear rentals
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)
Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m
FAQs for Umbwe Route
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE UMBWE ROUTE?
The Umbwe route is a steep and direct climb to the Uhuru peak. It offers the least time for the body to acclimatize to the rising altitudes. That combined with the physical exertion on this trek makes it the most difficult route to hike up Kilimanjaro.
HOW LONG IS THE UMBWE ROUTE?
The short Umbwe Route is approximately 52kms (32miles) from start to finish. It is usually done over 6 days, but a shorter 5-day itinerary is also possible. The average daily altitude gain is about 840m per day, with the summit day gain of 1200m from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak.
WHAT IS UMBWE ROUTE'S SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE?
The Umbwe Route is one of the shortest routes up Kilimanjaro which has a very poor chance for acclimatization due to it’s steepness and days spend in the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 70%. However, we have a summit success rate of over 90% for the Umbwe Route!
HOW IS THE SCENERY ON THE UMBWE ROUTE?
The first two days of the Umbwe Route trek are through tree plantations and then beautiful and rich rain forest, before continuing into the steep Western Breach and Arrow’s Glacier path, scramble up to the Reutsch Crater (5,800 meters) where trekkers spend the night near one of Kilimanjaro’s last remaining glaciers, Furtwangler Glacier.
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