What You Need to Know: The 6-day Umbwe Route climb costs from US$1,845 per person for two climbers with a mid-range Moshi hotel (US$1,675 budget, US$1,990 luxury). It includes park fees, tents, a guide, cook and five porters per climber, daily health checks, Moshi hotel nights before and after and all transfers. It gains height fast, so we only recommend it to climbers with recent experience above about 13,000 ft (4,000 m); everyone else should take 7 days or another route.
Who Should Climb the 6-Day Umbwe Route?
Only experienced, fit hikers. Day one gains about 3,900 ft (1,200 m) on a narrow, root-stepped forest ridge, more than any other route, and the 6-day version goes from Barranco straight on toward the summit without the extra acclimatization night. In return you get a wild, almost empty first two days and a short climb. If you have not been above about 13,000 ft (4,000 m) recently, choose the 7-day Umbwe or the 7-day Machame.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You've climbed above 13,000 ft (4,000 m) recently | It's your first high mountain: the 7-day Machame or 8-day Lemosho |
| You want an empty, steep, direct trail | You want a gentle, quiet trail: the 7-day Rongai |
| You're short on days and fit | You want more acclimatization on Umbwe: ask us for the 7-day version (US$2,090) |
6-Day Umbwe Route Itinerary
A hotel night in Moshi comes before day 1 and after day 6. On the mountain:
-
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
A steep climb of 5 to 7 hours through dense forest on a narrow ridge, using tree roots as steps, to Umbwe Cave Camp, about 9,400 ft (2,850 m).
RainforestMountain campLunch, dinner -
Day 2: Umbwe Cave to Barranco Camp
Out of the forest onto the open ridge, with the Kibo glaciers ahead, and down to Barranco Camp, about 13,000 ft (3,960 m), where you join the southern circuit.
MoorlandMountain campAll meals -
Day 3: Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
The Barranco Wall, an 820 ft (250 m) scramble where you use your hands in places, then across ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp, 13,238 ft (4,035 m). On the 7-day version you spend this day acclimatizing at Lava Tower instead.
Alpine desertMountain campAll meals -
Day 4: Karanga to Barafu Camp
A short climb to the summit base camp at 15,354 ft (4,680 m): the briefing, a health check, a gear check and an early night.
Alpine desertMountain campAll meals -
Day 5: Summit night, then down to Mweka Camp
A start around midnight, Stella Point around dawn and Uhuru Peak, 19,341 ft (5,895 m), then the long descent to Mweka Camp, 10,138 ft (3,090 m). See summit night explained.
SummitMountain campAll meals -
Day 6: Mweka Gate and back to Moshi
Down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, your summit certificate, and the drive to your Moshi hotel.
RainforestMoshi hotelBreakfast, lunch
The route's history, the ridge and the 7-day option are covered in our Umbwe Route guide.
How Much Does the 6-Day Umbwe Climb Cost?
Per person, by number of climbers; the level changes only the Moshi hotel:
| Climbers | Budget hotel | Mid-range hotel | Luxury hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$1,700 | US$1,890 | US$2,080 |
| 2 | US$1,675 | US$1,845 | US$1,990 |
| 3 | US$1,680 | US$1,880 | US$1,980 |
| 4 | US$1,675 | US$1,845 | US$1,990 |
| 5 | US$1,675 | US$1,865 | US$1,985 |
| 6 | US$1,675 | US$1,845 | US$1,990 |
What the 6-Day Umbwe Route Climb Includes
What the price covers:
- Every park fee for six days and five nights on the mountain
- Sleeping tents, mats, mess tent and private toilet tent
- A mountain guide, a cook and five porters for each climber, with all meals on the mountain
- Morning and evening oxygen and pulse checks, emergency oxygen, first aid and a stretcher
- Airport pickup, transfers to Umbwe Gate and from Mweka Gate, and a Moshi hotel night before and after
Not included in the 6-Day Umbwe Route Climb price
Budget separately for:
- International flights, and a Tanzanian visa (US$50; US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult
- Insurance that covers trekking to 6,000 m (19,700 ft) and helicopter evacuation
- Personal gear (you can rent it in Moshi), drinks and laundry
- Tips for your mountain crew (see how tipping works)
When Can You Climb the Umbwe Route?
We run Umbwe only in the dry months, from late May to October and January to March. The steep forest ridge becomes muddy and slippery in the rains, so we don't run it then; climb the Rongai Route at the edges of the rains instead.
Your Crew on the Umbwe Route
Each climber has a mountain guide, a cook and five porters, and our guides check your oxygen level and pulse every morning and evening; emergency oxygen, a first-aid kit and a stretcher go up on every climb. Because Umbwe gains height so quickly, your guide watches the morning and evening readings especially closely. More in guides, crew, food and a typical day.
How to Book the 6-Day Umbwe Route Climb
Tell us your dates, the number of climbers and your recent high-altitude experience, through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com. A 30% deposit holds your dates and the balance is paid when you arrive. Cancel 60 days or more ahead for a full refund; the shorter-notice refunds are in our refund policy.
Common Questions About the 6-Day Umbwe Climb
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
How much is the 6-day Umbwe Route?
From US$1,845 per person for two climbers with a mid-range Moshi hotel, US$1,675 budget and US$1,990 luxury.
Is the Umbwe Route the hardest on Kilimanjaro?
It is the steepest and gains height fastest, which makes it the most demanding of the standard routes, though it needs no technical climbing.
Should I choose 6 or 7 days on Umbwe?
Seven, unless you have recent experience above about 13,000 ft (4,000 m). The 7-day version adds an acclimatization day at Lava Tower for US$245 more per person.
Is Umbwe crowded?
No. The first two days are among the quietest on the mountain; from Barranco you share the southern circuit with Machame and Lemosho climbers.
Can beginners climb the Umbwe Route?
We don't recommend it. First-timers have a better chance of the summit on the 7-day Machame or 8-day Lemosho.
Should You Book the 6-Day Umbwe Climb?
Book it only if you are fit, have climbed high recently and want the most direct, least crowded route, from US$1,845 per person for two. Everyone else will enjoy the summit more on the 7-day Machame or 8-day Lemosho; see all our Kilimanjaro climbs.