Kilimanjaro - Umbwe Route

Overview

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Acclimatise on Mount Meru, prior to climbing Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe and Barafu routes

Introduction

Kilimanjaro is a giant, snow-capped volcano rising spectacularly from the dusty plains in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and a superb challenge for fit walkers. However, Kilimanjaro is frequently underestimated by those who try and climb it too quickly, thereby succumbing to altitude sickness. At Jagged Globe we've been running treks and expeditions to Kilimanjaro since 1994. The Umbwe (pronounced "Um-bway") Route is rarely climbed and provides a very direct route up the southern aspect of Africa's highest mountain.

The trail has fewer people on it than any other route on Kilimanjaro. Due to the topography and the faster rate in which altitude is gained, it is only suitable to follow this route if you are already acclimatised. You will achieve this by spending the first three days of this trek itinerary climbing nearby Mount Meru (4,556m), before then ascending the Umbwe Route to arrive at Baranco Camp. From Baranco Camp, you then join the southern circuit and follow the Barafu Route to reach the summit via Stella Point. The Meru ascent and Umbwe route to Baranco is an itinerary we have followed for over three decades, with great success. It is undoubtedly the most interesting and varied way of climbing Kilimanjaro, as well as being the one most likely to get you to the summit.

There is an option to join a 3-day Safari Extension, taking in the major parks of the area, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, to see more of Tanzania's wildlife.

• Read our Kilimanjaro Frequently Asked Questions

Join us on Kilimanjaro

• Mount Meru followed by the Umbwe Route provides the highest chance of summiting Kilimanjaro, due to better acclimatisation
• Trek with a mountaineering company that specialises in high-altitude ascents. We have been working collaboratively with our Tanzanian Destination Partner for nearly 30 years
• Treks led by professional and qualified English-speaking Tanzanian guides. Groups are also accompanied by a Ranger on Mount Meru.
• Our porters are well-equipped with sleeping bags, waterproof jackets and fleeces supplied by us
• Stay in locally-owned hotels whilst in Moshi, thereby directly supporting the local economy
• Safety back up - teams carry oxygen for therapeutic use, as well as a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) and comprehensive first-aid kit

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Experience Required

To join our trek you need to be an enthusiastic hill walker who wants to extend themselves or wishes to be introduced to higher altitudes. No previous experience of high altitudes is necessary, as every caution is taken to ensure a gradual and thorough period of acclimatisation.

Read our Training for Trekking and Hiking article by Steve House of Uphill Athlete.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Fri 12 Jun – Wed 24 Jun 2026	UK	Moshi	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
	£4,995	£3,995
Fri 24 Jul – Wed 5 Aug 2026	UK	Moshi	Available Book now »
	£5,645	£3,995
Fri 31 Jul – Wed 12 Aug 2026	UK	Moshi	Available Book now »
	£6,065	£3,995
Fri 11 Sep – Wed 23 Sep 2026	UK	Moshi	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Expedition Leader Tim Bird	£4,995	£3,995
Fri 10 Sep – Wed 22 Sep 2027	UK	Moshi	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Expedition Leader Chris Pearson	£5,495	£4,495

Our Trip Guarantee

This trek is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 6 – 12 people.

Single room supplement: £120

For comparison, this trek starts from £307 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Tanzania and Netherlands on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from London Heathrow to Kilimanjaro International Airport (unless Land Only).
• UK airport taxes.
• National Park fees and Peak Permits.
• 2 group road transfers between Airport and hotel, connecting with flights (excluded if joining land-only).
• 3 nights' hotel accommodation in Moshi, on a twin-sharing basis.
• 3 x breakfasts at the hotel in Moshi.
• 2 x evening meals at the hotel in Moshi.
• All road transport by private vehicles as described in the itinerary.
• 8 nights' camping or mountain hut accommodation on a full-board basis.
• Porterage of 12Kg of personal gear per person on the mountain.
• Jagged Globe leader, local Tanzanian guides and local helpers*.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

*Small groups will be led by one of our most experienced Tanzanian guides.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional trips (e.g. a Safari Extension) and sightseeing tours.
• Lunch on Day 2.
• Lunch and evenings meals on Day 12.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly London to Kilimanjaro International Airport Flights depart the UK in the evening. You arrive in Tanzania the following morning and then take a 50-minute transfer to the hotel in Moshi. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Enter Arusha National Park and begin ascent of Mount Meru Although smaller than Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is not to be underestimated! Our walk begins after a 2 1/2 hour drive to the park gate and you head for Mirikamba Hut (2,520m) in around 3 hours. You can expect to see plenty of wildlife.
Day 4:	Climb to Saddle Hut (3,566m) on Mt Meru The vegetation starts to change as height is gained and you emerge from the forest to arrive at Saddle Hut after 4 1/2 hours. After lunch you make a short ascent of Little Meru (3,820m) for extra acclimatisation.
Day 5:	Climb to Rhino Point (3,800m) or to the summit of Mt Meru (4,556m) The climb begins under a blanket of stars to reach Rhino Point after one hour. For those who are confident scrambling, you can continue and make a steady scramble over sloping slabs. It takes 6 - 8 hours to reach the summit. You descend to Mirikamba Hut to rest and relax after a long climb.
Day 6:	Descend Meru and head back to Moshi for rest Today is a relaxing walk to the gate via a different route so we can take our time to see as much wildlife on the way as possible. You return to the hotel for a well-deserved hot shower. Overnight hotel.
Day 7:	Begin ascent of Kilimanjaro. Climb to Forest Caves (3,000m) Travel by either Jeep or private bus, depending on the size of the team, to the start of the Umbwe Route. From the gate at 1,400m and with porters carrying our equipment, you set off up a good track and into dense jungle to reach a campsite at Forest Caves (approx 5 hours).
Day 8:	Climb to Baranco Camp (3,900m) The route continues through forest with a good chance of seeing Colobus Monkeys before rearing up on to a steep, narrow ridge with deep valleys on either side. At 3,000m, you emerge on to high moorland and the entire character of the trek changes. Baraco Camp is reached in mid-afternoon (5 hours).
Day 9:	Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp (13,300ft / 4,050m) You first challenge today is to overcome the Baranco Wall, which is 600 ft high and takes you to an altitude of 4,244m. From the top, the receding Heim Glacier on Kilimanjaro's south face is clearly visible. Your route continues eastwards underneath the Decken and Rebman Glaciers to Karanga Camp.
Day 10:	Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (15,090ft / 4,650m) From Karanga Camp a 3-hour steady walk takes you to Barafu Camp (4,650m), from where you will make your summit attempt in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Day 11:	Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft / 5,896m) to Millennium Camp You start climbing in the dark well before dawn, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. You'll aim to reach Stella Point on the Crater Rim by sunrise after about 6 hours. From Stella Point, it takes another hour to reach Uhuru - the highest point on the crater rim and the true summit of Africa. You descend to Millennium Camp (3,820m). This is by far the toughest day of the trek and normally takes between 12 and 15 hours.
Day 12:	Descend to Mweka Gate. Drive to Moshi. In the morning you walk to Mweka Gate, where the team will say farewell to their porters. The team drives back to hotel for a late celebratory lunch. Overnight hotel.
Day 13:	Fly home Very early morning flight from Kilimanjaro Airport.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of participants can all contribute to changes. The Trek Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Optional Safari Extension

We can arrange for you to go on a safari after the climb and delay the return flight to London accordingly. This extension visits the major parks of the area; namely Ngorongoro and Tarangire.

Day 13 Leave Keys Hotel at 08:30 hrs. Drive to Lake Manyara with picnic lunch and game drive. Drive to Kitela Lodge. Dinner and overnight at lodge.

Day 14 Full day tour of the Ngorongoro crater. Drive to Tarangire. Dinner and overnight at Roika Tented Lodge.

Day 15 Early morning game drive then back to the lodge for breakfast. Half day game drive in Tarangire then drive back to the Keys Hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 16 Fly home

Please note: The hotels, as named, cannot be guaranteed, as this will depend upon availability. If these hotels are not available then we will endeavour to book hotels of at least the same standard, wherever possible.

Prices based on twin-sharing, two people taking part.

Price £1795 per person

Optional Zanzibar Extension

Zanzibar Island is a superb destination to wind down after the rigours of climbing Kilimanjaro. This tropical Indian Ocean island has a fascinating combination of Arabic and African cultures. If you are still feeling energetic, you could do some snorkelling or diving! The following represents the standard itinerary that we currently recommend.

Day 12 Complete expedition itinerary. Overnight hotel.

Day 13 Fly from Kilimanjaro International to Dar Es Saleem and onwards to Zanzibar. Overnight Tembo House Hotel in Stone Town.

Day 14 Stone Town. Overnight Tembo House Hotel.

Day 15 Travel to Nungwi on the northern pinnacle of Zanzibar Island. The hotel commands wide views over sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Overnight Hotel.

Day 16-18 Relax on the fabulous beaches or take a diving lesson. You have three whole days in paradise! Overnight Hotel. 

Day 19-20 Fly home.

Please note: The hotels, as named, cannot be guaranteed, as this will depend upon availability. If these hotels are not available then we will endeavor to book hotels of at least the same standard, wherever possible.

Estimated prices are based on a minimum of 2 people.

Price £1355 per person

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• Kilimanjaro presentation and discussion with leader...

Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “

  Fantastic experience, would definitely recommend Jagged Globe and the Umbwe route. DJ

  ” Kilimanjaro - Umbwe Route - February 2020

Leader Reports

• Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route - 12 to 24 September
  “The expedition was successfully completed with six team members summiting Mount Meru 4556m and five reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro 5895m (one team member had joined the 'Climb Mount Meru' 7-day trek). First we...”
  report added 25/Sep/25
• Kilimanjaro - Umbwe Route - 21 Sep to 2 Oct '19
  “There’s another kata scarf flying from the summit of Kilimanjaro. The blessing scarves imprinted with the eight auspicious signs may be a gesture of Buddhist tradition and associated more with Nepal or Tibet, but when we make...”
  report added 15/Oct/19
• Kilimanjaro - Umbwe Route, September '19
  “I can’t remember ever having a ‘bad’ group to lead, but sometimes a group just comes together perfectly: a symbiotic mix of mutual support, respect, interaction, fun and laughter.  Thus it was with the recent...”
  report added 03/Oct/19