Kilimanjaro Climb Umbwe Route 5 Days

Kilimanjaro Climb Umbwe Route 5 Days

We always recommend you have at least 1 day in town before starting your trek.  This gives you time to rest, relax and prepare.  

This route should only be considered by those with some sturdy calf muscles and experience trekking at high altitude.  It is the shortest route on Kilimanjaro (just 28km to the top) but there is no such thing as a short cut on the mountain.  Provided you have done a fair bit of training and are used to trekking at altitude, you will absolutely love this climb and the thought you have trekked a path few others would be prepared to take. 

The route below describes the summit via the Barafu route (joining up with Lemosho and Machame on the third day).  

Day 1:      Start: Umbwe Gate (1650m) Finish: Umbwe Cave Camp (2944m)                                                                   Total distance: 9.6km

                  Hiking Time (approx.): 5-7 hours                 

The starting point for Umbwe is the closest from Moshi town- after a short drive you will arrive at the gate where you will sign in to the National Park.   

Day 2:      Start: Umbwe Cave Camp (2944m) Finish: Barranco Camp (3986m)

                  Total distance: 4.75km

                  Hiking Time (approx.): 4-6 hours

Shortly after leaving camp you will come out on to a ridge, with two steep ravines home to the Lonzo stream on the left and Umbwe stream on the right, 

Day 3:      Barranco Camp (3980m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)                                                                                  Total distance (approx.): 9.4km                                                                                                                                                           Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Rise for an early breakfast and then head for a little challenge as you climb up what has been nicknamed the ‘breakfast rock’.  

Day 4:      Summit (5895m) to Mweka Camp (3080m)                                                                                                               

Total distance: 10.8km                                                                                                                                                                          

Hiking time: Summit- Barafu Camp (2-3hours) Barafu Camp- Mweka Camp (4-5 hours) 

From the summit you will descend back down to Barafu Camp where you will be welcomed by the rest of the crew and enjoy a short break and breakfast.  Here you can have a nap for a couple of hours if you wish and depending on the time you arrive.  From Barafu Camp you will make your way down to Mweka Camp, passing from desert to moorland terrain. 

Day 5:      Mweka Camp (3080m) to Mweka Gate (1800m)                                                                                                    

Total distance: 8.5km                                                                                                                                                                             

Hiking time: 3-4 hours.   

 Passing through the montane forest, similar to your first day trekking, you will make your way down to Mweka Gate, stopping to watch the monkeys and spot turaco birds or hornbills.  Upon reaching the gate you will sign out and exit Kilimanjaro National Park.