8 Days Trip:
6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
Hiking Tour Package

Price from $ 2,300 (£ 1,847)

Ahsante Tours is the #1 leading local tour operator for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, trusted by most agents. So why not book with us and experience the adventure of a lifetime?

Book your Umbwe Trip now

So our team can reach out to you on time

Umbwe Route Overview

The Umbwe Route is one of the most challenging paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, designed for those seeking a true test of their physical fitness and determination. Known for its steep and direct ascent, the Umbwe Route can be completed in 5 to 6 days, though it’s not for the faint-hearted.

For climbers opting for the 5-day itinerary, the route offers no acclimatization day, requiring a high level of fitness as you hike directly towards the summit. This makes it a preferred choice for those who want to push their limits and experience Kilimanjaro’s most demanding climb.

The Umbwe route connects with the Machame Route on the second day, transitioning from Umbwe Cave to Barranco Camp. Along the way, you’ll pass through a variety of climatic zones, starting in the dense rainforest, moving through the alpine zone (both low and high), and finally reaching the glacial zone near the summit.

The Umbwe Route has a summit success rate of approximately 60%, which is lower compared to other Kilimanjaro routes. Its rapid ascent and limited acclimatization days contribute to the reduced success rate, making it a more challenging option for climbers. However, the Umbwe Route is ideal for speed ascents, as demonstrated by a client, Matt Cooper, who impressively completed an ascent and descent in just 20 hours.

The Umbwe Route provides a challenging and exhilarating experience for climbers seeking to push their limits on Mount Kilimanjaro. While demanding, the route rewards adventurers with breathtaking scenery and a profound sense of accomplishment upon completion. It is the perfect choice for those looking to test their endurance and resilience on Africa’s highest peak.

Free Kilimanjaro
Kit Checklist

Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1,600m/ 5,249ft) to Umbwe Cave (2940m/ 9514ft)

Day 3: Umbwe Cave Camp (2,940m/ 9,514ft) - Barranco Camp (3,976m/ 13,044ft)

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,976m/ 13,044ft) - Karanga Camp (3,995m/ 13,106ft)

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m/ 13,106ft) - Barafu Camp (4,673m/ 15,331ft)

We leave Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent Trail. From here we continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. At camp, we can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be clearly seen from this position.

Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m,

Distance: 6kms,

Hiking Time: 3 hours,

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,673m/ 15,331ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/ 19,341ft) – Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft)

You will be woken at 23:30 with some quick tea and some snacks. We start our trek to the summit. We will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m), we will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). At Uhuru Peak (5895m), we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. From the summit, we descend down to the Millennium camp site, via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Millennium Camp (3790m) Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3790m),

Distance: 7km ascent / 19km descent,

Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent,

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

Accommodation: Millennium Camp

Day 7: Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft) to Mweka Gate (1630m / 5,348ft)

Day 8: Departure in Tanzania

Enquire Now

Ready to climb? Secure your spot with a deposit of just €150 / USD 200 per person.
The balance is due before departure — no full payment needed to confirm your dates.

Enquire Now

Climbing Cost Includes

Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
3 Season Mountain tents (double occupancy); except for Marangu route where we overnight in Huts
Sleeping Bag
3-inch-thick foam Sleeping Mat/Pad
Spacious mess tent with all tables and chairs for rest and dining.
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Transportation to and from the airport (JRO Airport, additional charge of USD 50 for 1 way Arusha Airport tranfer)
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
Three meals daily while on the mountain
Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb with breakfast and dinner included (double occupancy)
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
Supplemental Oxygen tanks & Pulse Oximeter
1 portable flush toilet with a toilet tent for group sizes of 4 and above.
Free of charge use of a storage room and a safe room at the lodge
Celebration dinner at the hotel after the trek

Climbing Cost Excludes

International and Domestic Flights
Visa
Tips to mountain crew (A recommended amount is USD 250-350 per participant)
Single supplement – The tents are based in double occupancy; a single tent is arranged at an extra charge of USD 20 per day.
Rental Gears
Laundry Services
Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover on trekking to altitudes of up to 6000 meters and a helicopter evacuation)
1 portable flush toilet with a toilet tent for group sizes less than 4 people.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 200 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Andrew B 
 
 
 
 Verified Kilimanjaro and safari Did the Machame trail up Kilimanjaro followed by a 3 day safari. Ashante were incredible throughout. Shout out to Nelly in sales for organising and keeping in touch. And then Arden, Rami, Jackson and Bryan-Josh who were out phenomenal guides. Can't speak highly enough of them, the whole team and the unforgettable adventure they gave us.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Imogen D 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent 2 weeks in tanzania!! Definitely go with Ashante!! A very challenging but incredibly rewarding week climbing Kilimanjaro and then going on Safari. Could not have asked for a better team to have summited the mountain with. Many thanks to our guides Arden, Brian, Jackson and Ramson for their support and entertainment along the way and for keeping us motivated. The food prepared for us by Omari, Benjamin and team was outstanding. Everyone in our crew was a real character and made the experience on the mountain and on the Safari afterwards very fun and safe at the same time. I learnt so much from the staff that went with us and can't wait to return to Tanzania with this company again in the future. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a challenge with a great group of people and guides. Thank you to Nelly and team for seamlessly sorting all transfers and logistics. We were very well looked after!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sophie W 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience climbing Mt Kilimanjaro! I had an absolutely amazing time with Ahsante tours and they made my dream of reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro come true! Our chief guide Arden was brilliant, providing detailed briefings every evening to prepare us for each day, while constantly encouraging and supporting our entire group, ensuring every single one of us made it to the top! The assistant guides Ramson, Brian and Jackson were super, as they provided continuous support, fun and laughter making my experience unforgettable. Of course, there is a whole team of porters, waiters, chefs who were absolutely crucial in the success of my trip and they were all incredible from start to finish. I can’t recommend this company enough, and I was so sad to leave the crew but thank you to everyone from Ahsante tours!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jannie P 
 
 
 
 Verified Absolutely FANTASTIC! The Ahsante Tours and Safaris team is absolutely outstanding! They hosted a group of 8 people from Global Partners in Hope in Omaha, Nebraska, on an 8-day climb of Kilimanjaro. Every single detail from planning the trip, to executing the climb was handled thoroughly and professionally. The attentiveness, care, and attention to details provided by the entire Ahsante team was absolutely stellar. Our group of travelers have raved about their experience of reaching the "roof of Africa" since their return. Aside from the gorgeous scenery and the thrilling experience, what the team has remarked about the most were the people that accompanied and supported them throughout the climb. Our man thanks to Holyfield, Nilesh, K-Dawg, Bruno, Emanuel, Victor, Ludo, Mike, Albert, and so many more that made this dream a reality for the GPiH team!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Chantal W 
 
 
 
 Verified Biking the sugarcane fields Lovely bike ride through the sugarcane fields with fantastic guides. Great lunch at the TCP plantation and some stops in the colorful town of Moshi. We enjoyed every minute of our excursion.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Virginia P 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience The tour combined Safari and visit to a Maasai tribe, a coffee plantation and the waterfalls. We added the balloon and it was so worth it! Our guides Joseph Gamma and Derick Richard did an AMAZING job at making our experience unforgettable. Thanks to them we were able to spot animals from super close, learned all the fun facts about them and understand Tanzania from the perspective of the locals, always feeling safe and well taken care of. Thanks to them , I want to return to Africa!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   marcelalophe 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Safari in Tanzania! Our safari in Tanzania with Ashante Tours was truly unforgettable. From the very beginning, we were welcomed with such warmth and kindness that we immediately felt at home. The guides Joseph Gamma and Derick Richard were exceptional, knowledgeable, passionate, and always eager to share insights about the wildlife and surroundings, which made every moment even more meaningful. We were incredibly fortunate to see all the animals we had hoped for and even more, turning every day into a new adventure. The entire experience was seamless, exciting, and deeply enriching. We are so grateful for the care, professionalism, and genuine hospitality we received. It was, without a doubt, an amazing experience that we will cherish forever. Recomended a 100 % . Thank you ASHANTE TOURS !
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mark B 
 
 
 
 Verified Ahsante Tours Kilimanjaro Climb My son and I have just completed the Lemosho 8 Day climb of Kilimanjaro with Ahsante Tours. We had an amazing adventure, led by our superb guides Lawrence and Amos. So helpful and encouraging, with Lawrence also proving to be an excellent language, geography and history teacher! Despite catching the start of the rainy season, we only had to get our wet weather gear out on 3 of the 8 days. The whole crew were friendly, and definitely contributed to our effort. The porters do a super human effort. We arranged for the portable toilet - essential in our view as your guts are not normal on the climb, and the long drop toilets at the campsites are a no go zone. Summit success after 6 hours of climbing at a pole pole, slowly slowly, pace. No one told us about the agony of getting back down the mountain. Legs and toes extremely sore! We thoroughly recommend Ahsante Tours as a mid budget, local tour company. Our guides had been with the company for 15 and 10 years, which says a lot. Holyfield did an awesome job as the tour organiser, right from the start when we had to postpone our climb for 12 months. Asante sana Ahsante Tours! Tutaonana Baadaye!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   m2three 
 
 
 
 Verified *Highly Recommend* Everyone of the team are amazing and play their part in making a memorable trip. Easy to recommend when things go well, sadly bad health meant it didn’t go to plan for me - this is when I saw the very best of the team. Caring, helpful and organised, everything I needed a more.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   shelley K 
 
 
 
 Verified A fantastic bespoke safari tour I can highly recommend Ashante Tours. Holyfield arranged a bespoke safari tour for us which surpassed our expectations. The variety of parks and animals we saw was breathtaking. Lovely lodges and an excellent guide to accompany us made the whole experience smooth and relaxing. Thank you Ashante Tours

Why choose Ahsante Tours

Award-winning

We’re award-winning Kilimanjaro tour operators.

Luxury

Luxury camping, food, tent, toilets and more

Successful summits

Over 20K successful summits in over 20 years

Get help

Get help choosing the best route for your team

How long does the Umbwe Route take to complete?

The Umbwe Route can be completed in 5 to 6 days. The shorter, 5-day itinerary is more challenging as it does not include an acclimatization day, requiring a high level of physical fitness.

Is the Umbwe Route suitable for beginners?

No, the Umbwe Route is considered one of the most difficult and steep routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is best suited for experienced climbers or those looking for a physically demanding challenge.

What is the summit success rate on the Umbwe Route?

The Umbwe Route has a lower summit success rate of around 60% due to its steep ascent and lack of acclimatization opportunities.

What kind of landscapes can I expect on the Umbwe Route?

Climbers on the Umbwe Route will pass through a variety of landscapes, including dense rainforests, alpine zones, and eventually the glacial zone near the summit.

Why should I choose the Umbwe Route?

The Umbwe Route is ideal for those seeking a fast, steep, and direct ascent to the summit. It offers an intense challenge, stunning scenery, and the opportunity for climbers to push their physical limits. It’s also suitable for those interested in speed ascents.

6 Days Marangu Route

Starting Price from $ 2,300 (£ 1,847)

8 Days Lemosho Route

Starting Price from $ 2,897 (£ 2,337)

9 Days Northern Circuit Route

Starting Price from $ 2,897 (£ 2,337)

7 Days Lemosho Route

Starting from $ 2,549 ( £ 2,049)

6 Days Umbwe Route

8 Days Trip:
6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
Hiking Tour Package

TANAPA AWARDS

Tanzania's Leading Tour Operator

Book your Umbwe Trip now