Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing -Umbwe Route:

This is the steepest route up or down Kilimanjaro, thus those few people who use this route do use this route to descend rather than ascending . The route also offers scenery.

Umbwe route is usually recommended for descent only. Hardly anyone climbs it. It is extremely steep and offers incredible views of Kibo, the Great Western Breach (a huge stone mass protruding from Kibo) and the Baranco.

TA/KC/103: Mount Kilimanjaro, Umbwe Route: 7days/ 6nights

DAY 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.

DAY 2: Breakfast, leave for Umbwe route. We will pass through the banana and coffee plantations and Umbwe parish(4,600ft) on the way to Umbwe. Dinner and overnight at Bivouac I (9,300ft) or Bivouac II (12,600ft), B.L.D.

DAY 3: Breakfast, leave the camp for Baranco camp. On the way we pass through heather and open moorlands, B.L.D.

DAY 4: From Baranco camp, we can go west to Shira Plateau or up to Lava Tower hut and the summit via the Great Western Breach and Arrow Glacier camp, B.L.D.

Alternatively, we can go eastwards to Barafu hut.

DAY 5: Wake up at midnight for a last ascending moment to the summit via Kibo crater and on to Uhuru Peak. Thereafter, we can descend the same trail or Mweka route. Dinner and an overnight stay at the trail of your choice, B.L.D.

DAY 6: Breakfast, descend to the gate, we will take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, B.L.

DAY 7: Transfer to the airport for your return flight, B.

Distance - Time (Approx.)
Umbwe to Bivouac I : 4-6hours
Bivouac I to Bivouac II : 3-4hours
Bivouac II to Barranco Hut : 2-3hours
Barranco Hut to Lava Tower Hut : 3-4hours
Barranco Hut to Shira Hut : 5-6hours