The Umbwe route is one of the shortest but steepest routes to the Southern Glaciers, giving views of the forests, valleys, magnificent vegetation, and glaciers. However, it is only recommended for very fit climbers, as you gain altitude very quickly over a short distance. The route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be a very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude. The route is certainly raw, unkempt, and very steep until it reaches Barranco at 3,984m, from which point it intersects the Machame Route. Only two days are spent reaching the same point that is reached after three days on the Machame Route, and for this reason, headaches and mild nausea are relatively common on the Umbwe Route, even below 4,000m. The route can switch left from Barranco to summit via the Western Breach, but nowadays it more usually switches right, over the Breach Wall, to summit via Barafu.