Kilimanjaro — Umbwe Route, 6 Days

Umbwe is short, steep and direct — a ridge climb through forest that gains height faster than any other route. It is spectacular and it has the lowest success rate on the mountain, because there is almost no acclimatisation built into it. We only run it for people who have been high before.

Highlights

• The steepest, most direct ascent on Kilimanjaro
• A narrow forest ridge with drops either side
• Very few other climbers
• Joins the southern circuit at Barranco

The itinerary, day by day

1. 01

   Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp

   2,940 m · 5–7 hours

   Straight up a forested ridge, steep from the first hour, with roots and rock underfoot.

2. 02

   Umbwe Cave to Barranco Camp

   3,950 m · 4–5 hours

   Out of the forest onto the ridge crest, with the Breach Wall ahead. A big height gain.

3. 03

   Acclimatisation day at Barranco

   3,950 m · 3–4 hours

   A walk up towards Lava Tower and back. Not optional on this route.

4. 04

   Barranco to Barafu

   4,673 m · 7–8 hours

   The Barranco Wall, the Karanga valley, and on to base camp.

5. 05

   Summit day — Uhuru Peak, down to Mweka

   5,895 m · 12–14 hours

   Midnight start, Stella Point at dawn, Uhuru, then the descent to Mweka.

6. 06

   Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   1,640 m · 3–4 hours

   Through the rainforest to the gate.