Umbwe Route

About Umbwe

The Umbwe Route is a little used trail that begins close Shira Ridge. It is practically undefined from the Lemosho route. Without a doubt, Shira was the primary route and Lemosho is the improved assortment. Disregarding the way that Shira is a changed and beautiful route, it is more negative than its successor due to the for the most part high altitude of Shira's starting stage, which is gotten to quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the essential day while outside at 11,800 feet. The route philosophies Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with an extensive drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle avoids the deluge woodlands zone and the climbing trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Umbwe Route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in an exquisite, for the most part level hike. At that point the route explores underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Fall is made by methods for the Mweka route.

General Information

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Travel Tips

• Choose longer days of the trek as your body needs time to adjust with the high altitude acclimatization.
• Trekking poles will become your best friend on the harsh trails.
• Take it easy and don't try to rush to the top and always listen to your guide.
• Drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
• The amount of Oxygen on the top is only 50% as compared to the amount of Oxygen you are used to have. So pay attention to your body signals and inform your guide as soon as possible.
• Choose the dry season to experience your trek the most.
• If possible avoid taking pills like Diamox. It may show harmful side effects.
• Pack the necessary gears and double-check the complete list.
• Prepare a 'Kilimanjaro playlist' to listen to during your hike which helps to break your mental stress and physical exhaustion.

Umbwe Route Map

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Geography

The trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. The trek proceeds through rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. As you travel to the high alpine zone you will encounter strong winds and will be exposed to the elements

Uniquiness

• Umbwe route is steep, constant and straight route to the top.
• The route is the most difficult route to reach the peak of Kilimanjaro.
• Umbwe is mostly avoided by trekkers due to poor ascent profile.
• The route takes minimum 6days to complete but 7 days is mostly recommended.
• Umbwe is not scenically varied as other routes.
• The route is ideal for those who want a challenging climb.

Weather

• The weather of Kilimanjaro is unpredictable throughout the year. The temperature on the mountain varies widely depending upon the altitude.
• June to October to the beginning of March offers the best time to climb the mountain.
• Different climatic zones offer different atmospheres. The temperatures and precipitation levels and vegetation drops as hikers move to a high altitude.
• As the weather varies, so the hikers should be ready to experience the hot, wet or cold conditions at any time while on the mountain.

Pro & Cons

• The route is least crowded.
• The route is good for those who need a challenging climb and who are confident about high altitude hiking.
• It gets very muddy especially during the rainy season.
• The ascent profile of the route doesn’t provide good acclimatization opportunity.
• The route doesn’t offer scenic view as compared to other routes.
• The success rate is low.