The Umbwe route, just 53km or 32 miles long is surely the shortest ascent trail to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Thanks to its fast ascent to high altitude, and sometimes lacking acclimatisation stages, make it one of the most challenging routes used to approach Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit.

Traffic on the Umbwe route is very low as very few mountain climbers choose this route as their summiting trail. Relatively, chances for summit success are considerably lower as compared to the other routes.

Umbwe is considered to be a very demanding and challenging route, one that should only be attempted by highly skilled and experienced climbers who believe in having a great ability to acclimatize quickly to high altitudes.

Umbwe Route Detailed Description

This route is a lot more direct, steep, and short, approaching the summit from the southern side of the Mountain. The route’s trail turns Eastwards towards Barranco Camp and crosses underneath Mount Kilimanjaro’s Ice Field to the South at Barranco Camp on a path known as the Southern Circuit before reaching your last camp, Barafu, from where you will summit.

Coming down the Mountain, the trail takes a different approach, using the Mweka Route for the descent.

At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we offer the Umbwe Route package with two options: the 6-day Umbwe Route and the 7-day Umbwe Route climbing packages. The 7-day Umbwe route itinerary has an extra acclimatisation day on the third day to Barranco Camp.

In the past, the Umbwe Route used to hold the title of being the shortest, most direct, and steepest route for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, up until the opening of the Western Breach Route.

  • Difficulty rating: Extremely challenging
  • Height: The distance covered between the beginning of the Umbwe route to Uhuru peak is approximately 5,895 meters (19,341 feet)
  • Duration: The recommended number of days for climbing Kilimanjaro using the Umbwe route is 6 or 7 days, giving you an extra day or so for acclimatisation. Using 5 days is also possible, but not recommended as it excludes the acclimatisation day.
  • Trail conditions: The trail begins well but progresses into a steep slope, whereby sometimes you will have to use trees and roots as support to haul yourself forward as you hike on rocky ground. Going up higher to the alpine zone of Kilimanjaro, you will encounter strong winds carrying elements along.

Where is the Umbwe route located?

The Umbwe route is located on the foot slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the South. It is an easily accessible trail that could easily be the most difficult trail on the mountain that begins at the South of Mount Kilimanjaro that leads its way up to the Southern Ice field and finally using Barafu as its summit starting point. Summiting using the Umbwe route, the trail avoids the Crater Camp.

The Umbwe route ascends vertically taking a northerly direction to Barranco Wall where it joins in with Mount Kilimanjaro’s Shira, Lemosho, and Machame routes.

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Umbwe Route Map

The Umbwe Route map is steep and direct, starting from the south (~53km, 5-6 days). It shows a rapid ascent, joining Machame at Barranco Camp or continuing to Lava Tower and Western Breach. The map reflects poor acclimatisation due to the quick elevation gain, suitable for experienced climbers, with lower success rates due to the challenge.

Umbwe Trek Tips

Choosing the best Kilimanjaro route

  • Allow extra time for acclimatization as altitude sickness which usually appears on the third day of your climb.
  • Footwear: To prevent blisters, make sure you are wearing the right hiking boots with additional insoles and socks.
  • Trekking poles might come in handy. You should know how to use them and bring them along.
  • Make sure nothing misses on your packing list, if you forget anything, you can always rent from Tanzania.
  • Drink as much water as possible to minimize the effects of altitude sickness
  • Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not a race, take your time and enjoy the views. Pole Pole.

Relation Between Umbwe Route and Western Breach

Initially, the Umbwe Route used the steep and rocky Western Breach plus the Arrow’s Glacier trail to reach the summit but things took a turn when the tragic rock-fall in 2006 became proved fatal by killing three mountain climbers. The route was closed down for a year and reopened in 2007.

Still, the route is a hard challenge that is very risky by today’s standards hence many operators including Tranquil Kilimanjaro do not use this route as an option.

Umbwe Route was revisited and instead, on the second day, it joins in the Machame Route trail tracing the southern circuit towards the summit. Meanwhile, the descent takes a different course from the ascent, choosing the Mweka Route for descending the mountain.

Difference between Six and Seven Days Umbwe Route Itinerary

The main difference between the six days itinerary Umbwe route and seven days Umbwe Route itinerary is an additional day for acclimatization to Barranco Camp.

6 Days Umbwe Route or
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A day-by-day breakdown of the Umbwe route Itinerary

Below is the Umbwe route day-by-day itinerary showing where you will stay/sleep via Umbwe Route and the number of days.

DAYSTARTALTITUDE (M/FT)FINISHALTITUDE (M/FT)TIME (HRS)DISTANCE (KM/MI)
1Umbwe Gate1,600m/ 5,249ftUmbwe Camp2940m/ 9514ft5-711km/ 7mi
2Umbwe Camp2,940m/ 9,514ftBarranco Camp3,976m/ 13,044ft4-56km/ 4mi
3Barranco Camp3,976m/ 13,044ftKaranga Camp3,995m/ 13,106ft4-55km/ 3mi
4Karanga Camp3,995m/ 13,106ftBarafu Camp4,673m/ 15,331ft4-54km/ 2mi
5Barafu Camp4,673m/ 15,331ftUhuru Peak5,895m/ 19,341ft7-85km/ 3mi
Uhuru Peak5,895m/ 19,341ftMweka Camp3,068m/ 10,065ft4-612km/ 7mi
6Mweka Camp3,068m/ 10,065ftMweka Gate1,640m/ 5,380ft3-410km/ 6mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Climbing Kilimanjaro via Umbwe Route

The Umbwe Route is subdivided into two parts that are enjoined. The first part takes two days of trekking, there are few people on the route but traffic starts to build up as soon as the trail joins the Machame climbers trail at Barranco camp.

Depending on your main goal, preparing for Umbwe Route is pretty much any physical activity you participate in as you train to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The intensity of your training will depend on whether you want to reach the summit or just hike for a few days.

How difficult is the Umbwe route?

The main and possibly only reason that makes the Umber Route difficult is the steep, almost vertical slope that demands a lot of effort to trek up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The climb might take fewer days and the distance shorter but we would recommend experienced climbers to use this route even though it is not that technical to tackle it. This route demands climbers to be at their best physically and mentally as normal trekking days have a duration of 6 to 8 hours of trekking with an increased altitude of 900m (2953 ft)– 100m (3280 ft) daily. Judging by the difficulty of Umbwe Route, you need to be capable of trekking many days on difficult terrain and sometimes harsh conditions.

Some special equipment like ice axes and crampons may be needed sometimes in case of extreme weather and high altitudes.

As for the last days of climbing ar the climb wears you out, you will have to be resilient and have good mental and physical stamina.

The best time for using the Umbwe Route is between the months of January – March and June – October. Even though you can climb Mount Kilimanjaro all year round, the wetter months of May and November are colder and need waterproof gear.

To climb Kilimanjaro via Umbwe Route you will need all the necessary mountain climbing gear for Kilimanjaro that should include the compulsory waterproof gear and other necessities like, headlamps, hiking boots, personal medication, sunglasses.

You can find the full Kilimanjaro gear List here

The Umbwe Route itineraries vary with the number of days. We offer the Umbwe route on 6 days or 7 days climbing.

The is also an option of taking a 5-day Umbwe Route package but we do not recommend it as it bears very low summit success rates because it excludes the acclimatization days so chances of suffering severe mountain sickness are very high.

There are many sources for finding the best flights from U.K U.S.A, Canada, France, Germany, Australia and the rest of Europe to Tanzania, when you reach to the airport we will provide airport transfers to your hotel room and back. We will also provide transport to the gate where you will begin your climb and the tranquil Kilimanjaro crew will lead you to the summit via Umbwe Route.

Umbwe Route requires climbers of great fitness and experienced ability especially if you are aiming to reach the summit, whereby very strict planning and vigorous training is required.  Extra time or day for acclimatization is required for Umbwe Route trek to minimize acclimatization.

The success rate of Umbwe Route is relatively low compared with the other routes as it falls between 60%-70% for the 6 days Umbwe route or 7 days Umbwe route packages and 50% for the 5 days Umbwe route itinerary. This is due to the fact that it is a difficult route to use for climbing mount Kilimanjaro and should be used by skilled/experienced climbers. In order to achieve success in summiting via Umbwe Route, you should go for the extra acclimatization day.

Each climber will be required to pay Mount Kilimanjaro entry fees for Umbwe route. The fee per person, per day, helps to manage the Kilimanjaro national park. All Tranquil Kilimanjaro tours are all-inclusive Mount Kilimanjaro packages.

In comparison to the other routes, the Umbwe route can be termed as less scenic because of the less time taken to go up the mountain ascend. It still offers beautiful sceneries as you go through each and every vegetation zones on your way up.

The Umbwe Route has low traffic since it is not popular amongst climbers. The route is not busy compared to the other routes a factor that can be contributed to its difficulty level and success rate for summiting Kilimanjaro.

The type of accommodation offered on Mount Kilimanjaro, via the Umbwe route is exclusively camping. The typical itinerary includes camping equipment that includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mat and pillows. Your porters will always be carrying your tents, setting them up a few hours before you arrive at your next campsite after your day’s trek.

The Umbwe route usually takes 5-7 days to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Even though it might take a brief 5 days to summit, the recommended number of day that include extra acclimatization time takes 6 or 7 days.

We have 3 Umbwe Route packages on different costs. For prices on our Umbwe route itineraries, please check the Umbwe Route packages here or contact us to get a free Umbwe route quote for details and costs

Where will you sleep along the Umbwe Route?

The Umbwe Route is the most challenging, with a steep and direct ascent. Sleep is in tents at all camps. The first night is at Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850m), followed by Barranco Camp (3,900m). Some itineraries include Karanga Camp (3,960m) for acclimatisation before reaching Barafu Base Camp (4,670m). After summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the descent is via Millennium Camp (3,820m) or Mweka Camp (3,100m). All accommodations are in tents, and the route is best suited for experienced climbers.

Meals and Snacks on the Umbwe Route

When trekking the Umbwe Route, known for its steep and challenging ascent from the southern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll enjoy a full board dining experience tailored for high-altitude trekking. Professional cooks prepare three hot meals daily, complemented by snacks and beverages, with menus designed to balance carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to sustain you through this demanding climb. It’s advisable to inform your tour operator of any dietary restrictions in advance, as we can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets.

Breakfast

Kick off your day with a hearty breakfast to fuel the steep climbs of the Umbwe Route. Typical offerings include:

  • Porridge with milk – a warm, energy-packed start
  • Boiled or fried eggs – protein to power your ascent
  • Bread or toast with spreads like butter, jam, or peanut butter
  • Fresh fruit such as bananas or oranges
  • Hot beverages like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate

Served at camps like Umbwe Cave or Barranco, breakfast provides essential energy for the route’s physically intense early stages.

Lunch

Lunch is crafted to be portable and nutritious, ideal for refuelling during the Umbwe Route’s rigorous terrain. Expect:

  • Sandwiches with fillings like meat, cheese, or egg
  • Fresh fruit – a refreshing boost
  • Sliced vegetables – light and healthy
  • Macaroni with meat sauce – occasionally included for variety
  • On some days, particularly at camps like Barranco or Karanga, a hot lunch may be prepared, offering a warm respite after steep ascents

The Umbwe Route’s challenging nature makes these meals critical for maintaining stamina.

Dinner

After a demanding day of trekking, dinner is a hot, filling meal to replenish your energy. It typically features:

  • Stews or curries with meat – rich and comforting
  • Rice or pasta – carbohydrate-rich staples
  • Grilled meats – protein to aid recovery
  • Vegetables – essential nutrients
  • Bread or chapati as a side

Served at campsites amidst the route’s dramatic southern slopes, dinner offers a moment to recover and prepare for the next leg.

Energy Snacks

To keep your energy levels steady during the Umbwe Route’s steep and strenuous hikes, you’ll have access to snacks throughout the day, including:

  • Nuts (e.g., peanuts, almonds)
  • Dried fruits (e.g., apricots, raisins)
  • Chocolate bars
  • Cookies
  • Popcorn
  • Energy bars

These portable snacks are vital for quick energy boosts, especially on the route’s challenging early days.

Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

Most tour operators on the Umbwe Route, such as Tusker Trail and Tranquil Kilimanjaro, can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets with advance notice.

  • Vegetarian options may include tofu scramble, cheese sandwiches, and lentil curries.
  • Vegan options could feature plant-based meals like hummus wraps, vegan chilli, and overnight oats with plant-based milk.

The Umbwe Route’s steep and rapid ascent is paired with a well-planned meal schedule, ensuring you’re nourished and energised to conquer the climb to Uhuru Peak.

What makes the Umbwe Route unique?

Regarded as the most challenging, the Umbwe Route is steep and direct, ascending from the south, making it ideal for athletes, experienced and physically fit climbers. Typically completed in 6 days, it offers a sense of solitude due to lower traffic but has lower success rates due to its rapid ascent, which can hinder acclimatization. Its uniqueness lies in joining the Machame Route at Barranco Camp, providing stunning views but requiring significant effort.