UMBWE ("The Notorious") Route
Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach and it’s the most hardest and challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Umbwe Route is the trail for trekkers looking for a true climbing challenge. It is a quiet, seldom used path that can be very difficult, yet very rewarding at the same time. This is the route to choose if you want to test yourself on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, far from the crowds that are found on the more common trails.
While Umbwe route is a non-technical climb, it does offer steep ascents and requires trekkers to scramble over rocks and tree roots at certain points. It is the hardest and most direct route up the mountain and even features several exposed ridges that are not for the faint of heart. The fitness and stamina of hikers may be tested along the way and it is best for experienced mountain trekkers who are looking for a challenge. Because of it’s steep, direct approach, the success rate on Umbwe route is lower than some of the other routes.
To get the most out of this climb, trekkers are encouraged to be as fit and ready as possible, as this is a steady march uphill for the first few days, which is contrast to some of the other routes that make slow, steady ascents or wander up and down to aid in acclimatization. That said, the intense challenge of trekking the Umbwe Route is made up for by the spectacular views. At times, there are stunning vistas to be seen to both the left and the right as trekkers as they make their way up the trail.
In fact, the early days of this path have arguably the best views of any part of the mountain, save perhaps the summit itself. Umbwe also happens to be one of the quietest routes up Mount Kilimanjaro too. Because of its reputation as a difficult climb, very few people actually walk this trail, leaving it open and relatively untouched.
Difficulty
High
Distance
53 Km
Duration
5 - 6 Days
Success Rate
Low
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Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages
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Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro With
Oserok Trips
We are a premier Kilimanjaro trekking Tours company with Years of combined experience on the mountain, we specialize in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. We run our own trekking operations, staffed with expert mountain guides, and do not act as a booking agent for other companies. We will give you comprehensive advice on packing, fitness, expected weather and trail conditions, and be by your side every step of the way – all the way to the Summit of Kilimanjaro! We will also bring you to the airport after the adventure of a lifetime.
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Words From Our Happy Clients
ExcellentBased on 132 reviewsVerifiedBeata O2024-03-07Oserok Trips will guarantee your trip to Tanzania is a magical, once in a lifetime experience! If you have been considering a trip to Tanzania, and are still on the fence, I am here to tell you not to worry and go for it! It is a magical place, not only because of the incredible animal and plant life, or the amazing landscapes, but above all, because of the wonderful and friendly people. The man who will guarantee this trip will be an incredible, once in a lifetime experience, is Alpha and his great team at Oserok Trips. Even if you only have a few hours, Alpha will fill them with activities as best as possible, and if you are on a two-week vacation, your time will be organized in great detail according to your needs and interests. Alpha is a wonderful guide and companion for whatever kind of trip you have envisioned. He will pick you up from the airport, arrange accommodation with local residents, answer your questions, take care of you as best as he can, take care of all your needs, and dispel any concerns. Oserok Trips can also recommend various activities in each area you visit, but beyond that they will also show you the details that could easily go unnoticed by visitor. As I write this, I already want to go back, explore the places I didn’t have enough time to see, and smell grass of the Serengeti again. My husband, daughter and I traveled around Tanzania for two weeks. We spent the first eight days with Alpha and his great team, the next with his wonderful life companion and guide Dominika. We drove through Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area under the care of Alpha, a skilled driver, and a cook who prepared incredible meals for us even in the middle of the wilderness. There was no moment when we did not feel safe, even when a dozen lions were hunting a buffalo a few meters away from us. We joked that even this amazing event was planned by our guides for 4:06 pm on January 23, 2024. Witnessing such a hunt, of course, can never be guaranteed, but with a team like Oserok Trips, their expert eyes will point out every lion's ear in the waist-deep grass. After some time you too will learn to spot whole groups of animals thanks to their experienced eye! Don’t let the fatigue of travel, the dust and mud, and everything that deviates from the routine of your everyday life, dissuade you from taking this trip. Don’t delay (like us) and the rest will be taken care of by Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips.VerifiedLucy_Anne_Mel2024-01-24Great local community option for those after an authentic experience Communications prompt and accurate - pay attention to the description to ensure it is for you. I had a fantastic day visiting a Maasai tribal village and surrounds but be aware this is not the sort of tour where you "attend a show" of the lifestyle - you join the tribe members for part of their day which I found really interesting and informative despite the language barrier. Employs local staff and supports the community which for me is a bonus. Wouldn't hesitate to book for a longer tour in the area if I get the chance.VerifiedKabi K2023-12-25A nice day to remember Alpha, the manager is very friendly and patient. I had one day for a trip in Arusha with my niece and a small budget and he accommodated my needs. We went to the hotsprings and visited a park that isn't in his offer, but he was able to arrange it. I did not had to take care of anything. In addition, Alpha is.keen to exchange about his rich culture and his full of interesting histories, but he also left us enjoy the activities and understands when you need privacy, I appreciate that. In a nutshell, I really recommend the Oserok trips.VerifiedTriana H2023-10-15Unforgettable experience! Great experience I highly recommend anyone who would like to enjoy a safari in great company! They made the whole experience for me and my family something we’ll never forget and they became part of the family ???? Ashe naleng’ Thanks a lot, the whole family wishes you all the bestVerifiedMary M2023-10-05Waterfalls and coffee My dad and I went on the waterfalls and coffee tour with Alpha and the oserok team this summer. The tour was perfect from start to finish, alpha organized everything better than we could have imagined. He picked us up and took us on a beautiful drive up the mountain and explained/ answered questions about the landscape as we went. On the hike we were with Lebahati, he was a wonderful and charming guide. He was able to keep us going at an enjoyable pace and told us many fun y and interesting facts on the way! The lunch after the hike was great too- many different dishes and we had so much fun learning about local kahawa!! I could’t recommend any other company more!!VerifiedJan M2023-09-22Absolutely wonderful experiences. Highly recommended! We did the Kilimanjaro, 4 days safari and a coffee plantation tour - all with Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips. We are so lucky that we chose his company (based on recommendation from a friend), as our journeys was absolutely wonderful! On Kilimanjaro, they was so helpful making sure that we reach the summit. The food on the mountain was so delicious thanks to Salim - the chef. The whole crew was perfect - always cheering us up, always smiling. And then the safari - Alpha made sure that we get a solid guide/driver who knows everything there is to know about the animals. Always in a good mood, and he spotted animals that we would definitely miss. We saw so many lions, some of them eating their prey and one time we saw the hunt for zebras! We even saw a family of cheetahs. The safari was one of the best experiences of our lives, I'll definitely come back if I ever have children, so they can see it too. And it'll definitely be with Oserok Trips again. Highly recommended, you won't make a mistake!VerifiedNancy G2023-08-26Excellent guide! Nous avons fait deux daytrips avec Alpha : Chemka hotspring et Materuni+Coffee tour. Nous recommandons fortement cette agence locale détenu par un maasai. Nous avons appris énormément sur la culture maasai, les plantes et la vie à Moshi durant ces excursions. Pendant la randonnée pour aller à Materuni, il a pris le temps de nous faire découvrir les différentes plantes sur le chemin. Alpha a été à notre écoute et n’a pas hésité à tout mettre en œuvre pour nous satisfaire. Il nous a fait découvrir la nourriture locale, excellente expérience. La bonne humeur et la zen attitude de Alpha sont tellement contagieuses. Et il est aussi un excellent photographe pour ceux qui aiment les jolies photos pendant les excursions ????Verifiedmarco c2023-08-10Trek con Alpha, la miglior guida masai di Moshi! Alpha è un’ottima guida, nonché un personaggio simpatico e affabile, ci ha portati alle falde del Kilimanjaro in un trek in famiglia molto interessante fino alla cascata Materuni. Abbiamo mangiato un pranzo delizioso preparato per noi dalle donne di un villaggio Chagga dove abbiamo poi assistito alla cerimonia del caffè, partecipando anche. Giornata divertente, con Alfa che è colto e preparato, lo consigliamo a tutti.VerifiedEline E2023-07-22Inoubliable !! C'est la 2éme fois que nous faisons appel à Oserok Alpha a été très convivial et bienveillant avec tous les membres du groupe. Les guides sont disponibles et attentionnés. Nous avons apprécié ce circuit de 2 parcs avec une une nuit au campement Kizumba, tout était impeccable. Belle surprise avec des déjeuners à table tout confort en face du bassin aux hippopotames. Alpha est vraiment précautionneux, il a été très disponible en amont pour la préparation de ce voyage (voyage associatif pour 12 personnes) Rapport qualité prix au top.VerifiedKristina D2023-03-16Materuni waterfall and coffe trip we went to Materuni waterfall and on a coffee tour with Alfi as guide☺️ It was a fantastic experience with beautiful nature! Alfi gave us extensive information along the way about the place and the flora. We later got to make coffee with the local population, which was great fun and educational. The day also included a traditional Swahili lunch which was very good???? Really recommend! not a crazy price either!
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