KILIMANJARO - UMBWE ROUTE
UMBWE - 10 Days
Though the Umbwe Route may be the shortest path up Kilimanjaro (just 27.9-miles/45-km gate to gate), it’s not short on adventure. Your unforgettable 10-day expedition starts in villages with banana groves and coffee plantations. Follow the winding trail up through the rain-forest to the Umbwe Cave. Climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers beneath the massive tree canopy. Tap into your strength on the Barranco Wall.
Take a full day to acclimatize to the higher altitudes before our sunrise summit to Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m). The warm daylight and majestic views create a more enjoyable hike up the mountain’s steepest and most demanding path.
Keep reading to discover what else you’ll accomplish on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
ROUTE STATS
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- Distance: 27.9-miles or 45-km gate to gate.
- Duration: 10 days total, 7 days climbing gate to gate
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- Daily trekking time: 4 to 10 hours (12-14 summit day)
- Tusker's Umbwe route success rate: 95%
DAILY ITINERARY
3,000-ft/914-m
After arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport you meet your driver after clearing immigration, and then take a drive to the Bristol Cottages Hotel in Moshi.You stay two nights here to get fully relaxed and focused before your ultimate challenge on Kilimanjaro. A delicious meal, a hot shower and a warm bed is all you need at this moment.
Meals Included: Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
3,000-ft/914-m • Meet your guides
You meet your Tusker mountain guides for your climb orientation and a final equipment check. This is a great opportunity to get to know your team leaders, talk about the climb, and gather any extra gear or supplies you may need.Explore Moshi
After gear check one the guides takes the group for lunch in Moshi. This is a nice chance to wander around town getting a taste of Moshi, the bustling Tanzanian town of the north. He'll also show you around the colorful Moshi market at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
9,360-ft/2,853-m • 6.83 miles/11 km • 5-6 hours
After breakfast we have a short drive from our hotel to the Umbwe Gate at 4,590 ft., passing through villages with small banana groves and coffee plantations. After signing in at the gate, we follow the winding trail up through the rain forest.We climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers beneath the massive tree canopy. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and glimpses of Kilimanjaro off in the distance. Our scenic camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
12,950-ft/3,950-m • 4 miles/6.4 km • 4-5 hours
Not far from camp you'll notice that the forest starts thinning out. We find more rocky terrain with undergrowth and trees draped with witches beard. We follow the ridge, gaining altitude, occasionally seeing Kibo peak towering in the distance.As we approach Barranco, the path flattens out a bit and then descends into Barranco camp. Our camp is situated beneath the Western Breach and the Barranco wall.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
12,950-ft/3,950-m
We spend 2 nights at Barranco to acclimatize. At almost 13,000-ft you begin to appreciate the view from Kilimanjaro's slopes that will become even more majestic as you approach the summit.Today we hike up 1,500 ft. towards Lava Tower for a beautiful view of the Barranco and its unusual flora such as Giant Senecio and Lobelia.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
13,230-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours
Our first challenge of the day is to breach the 500 ft. Barranco Wall - not too tough, but a challenge, nonetheless. Most of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder.We descend down into the Karanga Valley, and climb up the other side, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
14,950-ft/4,556-m • 2.1 miles/3.4 km • 4 hours
The air starts getting quite thin, and you will be running short of breath. It's a tough, but a rewarding uphill climb to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. "Barafu" means, "ice" in Swahili, and it is extremely cold at this altitude.There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as climbers anticipate the toughest day just ahead. The clouds move in and out, revealing the eroded peak of Mawenzi, painted with colors of the African sun.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hours
Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours
We start climbing a couple of hours before sunrise. That way you climb during daylight on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain, reaching the Crater rim around mid-day. Over your shoulder Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, while the crater's ice-walls loom ahead above you. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hours) – the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m.)After admiring the breathtaking views and taking your iconic summit photos we prepare our descent to Millennium camp on Kilimanjaro's southeastern slope. The feeling of euphoria is intense and the descent is invigorating. We continue down to Barafu Camp for rest and refreshment then to Millennium Camp for your last night on Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Signature Mountain Camp
Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours ~ Drive Moshi • 30 mins
After breakfast it's a 6-hour leisurely walk from Millennium Camp to Mweka, the national park gate at 5,500-ft/1,676-m. We sign out, have a final lunch and celebrate with our guides and porters before jumping into the vehicle for a short ride back to the Bristol Cottages Hotel in Moshi where a hot shower and a cold drink await your arrival.We all enjoy a celebratory meal in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Continue on an incredible Wildlife Safari through some of the most spectacular animal reserves on the planet, such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. Talk to our trips planners to add a Wildlife Safari.ZANZIBAR
After your climb immerse yourself in a fascinating journey back in time to the magical island of Zanzibar in the Indian ocean.Get lost in the historical maze of ancient alleyways, and enjoy the most beautiful beaches on earth. Talk to our trips planners to add a stay in Zanzibar.
AFTER-CLIMB ADVENTURES
Once you're down off your climb, extend your adventure with a mind blowing Safari, exploring the epic wildlife parks of East Africa. If you're craving a beach experience, opt for a total cultural immersion as you travel back in time to mystical Zanzibar, an island just off Tanzania’s coast.
To view a more detailed itinerary of our African Safari or our magical Zanzibar trips, visit Tusker's After Climb Trips Page
WILDLIFE SAFARI or ZANZIBAR
Here on our 5-day safari, you discover an incredible array of wildlife. And if you time it right, you might even find yourself surrounded by millions of animals during the great migration, which occurs twice a year. You will marvel at the incredible feeling you experience as you immerse yourself in the spectacle and the magic of the African savannah.
For more information about our world class safari's visit Tusker's Safari Trip Page.
Rise early to connect with your safari flight from the Moshi Airport to the Manyara Airstrip, where you meet your safari guide. Lake Manyara National Park is very different from the other parks with a huge diversity of habitats. It is home to the unusual tree-bound lions and the elusive forest primate, the blue monkey, along with many other species of animals.The Lake supports a large array of bird life, such as yellow-billed storks, white-necked cormorants, pelicans, and Egyptian geese. We overnight at Kirurumu Manyara Tented Camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater is a 110 square-mile volcanic caldera, which collapsed two million years ago. It is encircled by 2000-ft. sheer walls. We drive down the narrow track to the crater floor, for a full day exploring this lush animal paradise.The crater swarms with 30,000 head of wild game, stalked by great prides of lion, jackal, hyena and leopard. Ngorongoro is one of the few places left on earth where you can see the almost extinct black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The Serengeti National Park is the world’s oldest ecosystem, It is a sanctuary with the highest concentration of large mammals, containing over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, and over 2,500 lions.Every year, the Serengeti hosts one of the most dramatic spectacles on earth: The Great Migration. During this time, millions of wildebeests, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle migrate non-stop through the Grumeti and Mara Rivers in search of fresh grazing, following an ancient pattern of survival.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging varies depending on the migratory season.
In the morning, wake to the call of amazing birdlife, or the first sunrays splaying across the endless plains. These timeless sights and sounds signal the dawn of a new exciting day on safari.The Serengeti is famous for its predators. On our daily game-runs with expert safari guides, you can expect excellent lion and cheetah sightings, and exciting lion hunts. You can also spot leopards regularly. Other predators include serval cats, golden and black-backed jackal, African wild dog and spotted hyena.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging varies depending on the migratory season.
After breakfast, we head out for our final game-run in the park. Afterwards, you drive to the the airstrip to connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro airport.At Kilimanjaro International a Tusker Trail representative will meet you with your climbing gear that you stored in Moshi. Depart Kilimanjaro Airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly home
On our 3-day safari you discover an incredible array of wildlife. And if you time it right during the twice yearly animal migration, you find yourself surrounded by millions of animals. Everyone who has traveled on an African safari marvels at the incredible feeling they experience as they immerse themselves in the spectacle of the African bush.
For more information about our world class safari's visit Tusker's Safari Trip Page.
Rise early to connect with your safari flight from the Moshi Airport to the Manyara Airstrip, where you meet your safari guide. Lake Manyara National Park is very different from the other parks with a huge diversity of habitats.It is home to the unusual tree-bound lions and the elusive forest primate, the blue monkey, along with many other species of animals. The Lake supports a large array of bird life, such as yellow-billed storks, white-necked cormorants, pelicans, and Egyptian geese. We overnight at Kirurumu Manyara Tented Camp.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Kirirumu Manyara Tented Lodge
The awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater is a 110 square-mile volcanic caldera, which collapsed two million years ago. It is encircled by 2000-ft. sheer walls. We drive down the narrow track to the crater floor, now a lush animal paradise.The crater swarms with 30,000 head of wild game, stalked by great prides of lion, jackal, hyena and leopard. Ngorongoro is one of the few places left on earth where you can see the almost extinct black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
After breakfast we head out for our last game drive down in the crater. In the afternoon ascend to the crater rim and drive to Manyara Airstrip in time to connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. At Kilimanjaro International a Tusker Trail representative will meet you with your climbing gear that you stored in Moshi. Depart Kilimanjaro Airport.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly Home!
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Travel back in time to the mystical Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar, just off Tanzania’s coast. Throughout recent history, the two islands that make up Zanzibar, became a base for traders on their journeys between Africa’s Great Lakes, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.
Known as the Spice Island, you can still discover Zanzibar’s colorful history as you explore the maze of streets and alleys. Your tailor-made trip immerses you in Zanzibar’s fascinating mixture of African, Arabic, Asian and European cultures.
For more information about our magical Zanzibar trip visit Tusker's Zanzibar Trip Page.
SAFARI & ZANZIBAR PRICES
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Tailored to the Season
Trip Length
3-5 Days
Land Cost
$2,300 to $4,700 (plus local flights)
Trip cost depends on season and duration.
ZANZIBAR
Custom Duration
Trip Length
3-5 Days
Land Cost
$1,100 to $3,200 (plus local flights)
Trip cost depends on duration and activities.
BOOKING YOUR SAFARI & ZANZIBAR JOURNEY
We've been planning and coordinating our Wildlife Safaris and Zanzibar trips for over four decades. Our trek coordinators will help you celebrate your success on Kilimanjaro with the most amazing experience you can imagine. For your after-climb adventure just give us a call when you book your Kilimanjaro Climb.
SAFARI
When we plan your Wildlife Safari, we factor in important variables to maximize your adventure experience. We plan for the best locations based on the season, the amount of time you wish to spend in the bush, and the type of accommodation you’d like to use.
ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is always amazing, regardless of when you visit. But if you want some tips the greatest food, the best place for snorkeling a coral reef, or where to go to enjoy the most incredible sunset, give us a call.
TO BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE CALL US: +1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919
YOUR EXPERT GUIDES
Your guides are the heart and soul of your successful Kilimanjaro summit challenge. EDDIE FRANK, Tusker’s founder, built Tusker's elite team of guides using the same techniques he used when training the US Army’s Special Forces. Our elite team has led over 10,000 triumphant Tusker climbers to the summit for decades.
EDDIE TALKS...
"I first climbed the Machame route after climbing Kilimanjaro for a few years. I realized that camping on the great mountain uncovered a different facet of Kilimanjaro’s ethereal character, as I was able to see, smell and hear Kilimanjaro’s spectacular ambience – 24 hours a day, under cover of a billion stars, when nature really stirs."
YOUR CLIMBING CREW
One of the keys to the success of your climb is your climbing crew. They are the backbone of your adventure and ensure that your camp and gear is set up at each new location on the climbing route. The team is made up of porters and chefs that are fiercely loyal to Tusker Trail and who have been part of our family for decades.
Your porters and chefs also provide an incredible window into Tanzanian culture. They introduce you to the inspiring music of Kilimanjaro which will inspire you to put one foot in front of the other. All in all, you and your team are part of one big family, on a trek to the top of Africa.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Professional guides & dedicated crew
- Transfers on arrival and departure
- Ripcord evacuation membership
- Lodging as per daily itinerary
- Meals & activities as per itinerary
- National Park Fees
- 4-season WALK-IN all weather tents
- 2-inch air/foam mattresses
- 4-season base-camp dining tents
- Dining tables & comfy chairs
- Gas lighting in dining tents
- Purified water
- Private toilet tents
- Drybag (to protect your duffel)
PHOTO GALLERY
CLIMB REVIEWS
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CHECK AVAILABLE DATES
Limited Group Sizes
ROUTES QUESTION?
+1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919