Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and also the Western Breach and it’s the foremost hardest and difficult route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Umbwe Route is the path for trekkers looking for a real climbing challenge. It’s a quiet, rarely used path which will be terribly difficult, however very rewarding at constant time. This is often the route to settle on if you would like to check yourself on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, removed from the crowds that are found on the more common trails.

While Umbwe route could be a non-technical climb, it will provide steep ascents and needs trekkers to scramble over rocks and tree roots at sure points. It the toughest and most direct route up the mountain and even features many exposed ridges that aren’t for the faint of heart. The fitness and stamina of hikers is also tested on the approach and it’s best for experienced mountain trekkers who are searching for a challenge.

Steep and Direct Approach

Because of its steep, direct approach, the success rate on Umbwe route is not up to a number of the opposite routes.

Physical Preparation for Umbwe

To get the most out of this climb, trekkers are encouraged to be as fit and prepared as possible, as this is a gradual march uphill for the first few days. This contrasts with some of the other routes that create slow, steady ascents or wander up and down to aid in acclimatization.

Spectacular Early Views

That said, the extraordinary challenge of trekking the Umbwe Route is made up for by the spectacular views. At times, there are gorgeous vistas to be seen both to the left and to the right as trekkers make their way up the trail. In fact, the first days of this path have arguably the best views of any part of the mountain, save maybe the summit itself.

A Quiet and Untouched Route

Umbwe also happens to be one of the quietest routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of its reputation as a difficult climb, very few people actually walk this path, leaving it open and relatively untouched. This helps give trekkers the feeling that they’re the only ones on the mountain until the route merges with Machame Route near the Barranco Camp a few days into the hike.

Joining the Machame Route

From Barranco, the path follows the glacier Southern Circuit below the Southern Ice Field before turning up towards the summit from Barafu Camp. Like most Mount Kilimanjaro climbs, the descent is made on the Mweka Route.

Who Should Choose Umbwe Route

If you’re searching for the very best views on Mount Kilimanjaro, and you enjoy testing yourself in the wilderness, Umbwe Route can offer you everything you seek, and more. It’s the closest thing you’ll find to a true climbing expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Climb Duration Options (6 or 7 Days)

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro offers Umbwe as a six or seven day group or private climb. The seven-day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions and answers below are specific to the Umbwe Route.

However troublesome is the Umbwe Route?

The Umbwe route is one in every of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and also the Western Breach and it’s the foremost difficult route on Mt Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route could be a short, steep and direct climb. It’s most likely the foremost scenic, non-technical route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s quite taxing, primarily because of the relatively quick ascent to higher altitude, however the rewards are plentiful.
Due to the quick ascension to high altitude, this route doesn’t offer the mandatory stages for acclimatization. Though the traffic on this route is extremely low, the possibilities of success also are low. Sensible level of fitness is much counseled.

What is the gap of the Umbwe Route and the way several days will it take?

The exact trekking distance for the Umber Route is 53km or thirty two miles. The shortest range of days needed for the Umbwe Route is five days, it’s a shorter ascents with strenuous trekking days. By the time you have got else on arrival and departure days it’s nine or ten. However, as it’s thought of one in every of the Shortest and steepest routes on the mountain it’s powerfully counseled to be all right ready and acclimatized to extend your chances of success.

What is the Umbwe Route Summit Success Rate?

The Umbwe Route is one in every of the Shortest routes up Mount Kilimanjaro that contains a terribly poor probability for acclimatization because of its gradient and days’ pay within the mountain. While there aren’t any official statistics, the common success rate across all operators is 70th. However, we’ve got a summit success rate of over ninetieth for the Umbwe Route!

What is the Scenery like on the Umbwe Route?

The first 2 days of the Umbwe Route trek are through tree plantations so stunning and made rain forest, before continued into the steep Western Breach and Arrow’s ice mass path, scramble up to the Reutsch Crater (5,800 meters) wherever trekkers pay the night close to one in every of

Kilimanjaro’s last remaining glaciers, Furtwangler ice mass.

From Crater Camp, one will take an optional one hour hike to Reusch Crater, or just explore the areas around Furtwangler ice mass. Reusch Crater could be a brilliant sight. It’s virtually dead circular and also the ash pit measures four hundred feet (120 m) deep and one, 300 feet (400 m) wide. This is often seldom seen by tourists.

When is that the best time to Trek Umbwe Route?

July-September is that the best time to trek the Umbwe Route, because the weather is most stable throughout this era and encountering rain is a smaller amount seemingly. That said, since it’s about to the equator it’s attainable to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and will is that the season thus this era is best avoided.