Thomson staffer Ali Riley had the chance to experience one of the most challenging routes up Kilimanjaro: Umbwe. This is the story of her experience.
You opted for the Umbwe Route—what made you pick it?
It was two-fold: I’ve been an athlete all my life, and I thrive in situations that push both my body and mind to the limit. The Umbwe seemed like it would give me that challenge.
The other was timing related, I had just spent two weeks out in the Serengeti, and I needed to get back home quickly—so the 6-day Umbwe Route was the perfect way to fit in the climb.
Were you nervous about the route?
Absolutely! The Umbwe Route is known for being extremely challenging, with a faster ascent that makes altitude an even bigger factor. Knowing that Thomson staffers have had a 100% summit success rate actually made me a little nervous—I didn’t want to be the first to fall short!
My guide, Joachim, totally rocked. He was so supportive and encouraging. I couldn’t have done it without him!
What were the best parts about Umbwe?
I loved spending so much time in the rainforest. I remember watching the IMAX movie To the Roof of Africa and being amazed by the idea that you could hike from dense rainforest all the way to glaciers. On the Umbwe Route, you start your trek in incredibly lush, thick rainforest—which was a really cool and memorable part of the experience for me.
What was your favorite memory of the mountain?
You’d think it would be the summit, but actually my favorite spot on the mountain was the Barranco Wall—climbing that was a definite adrenaline boost!
My ultimate favorite memory from the trek was the people—both my trekking group and the incredible Thomson guides and porters. The crew was amazing; they seemed to anticipate our every need before we even voiced it, and their support made all the difference.
As for my group, everyone was so enthusiastic and had a fantastic sense of humor. We laughed constantly—through the tough moments and the triumphs—and by the end of the trek, we had genuinely bonded. It felt like we’d been through something extraordinary together, and that connection is something I’ll never forget.
I had such a great time with my trekking group, and made some life-long friendships.
Any particularly difficult moments?
Without question, the midnight summit was the most difficult part of the trek for me. The altitude at that point really takes a toll—your body feels heavy, your breathing is labored, and every step becomes a mental battle. I had to dig deep and rely on sheer determination to keep going. I repeated a mantra with every step: “You can do this. You will do this.” That simple phrase carried me to the top.
Knowing what it took to get there was one of the most powerful moments of my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So you did find the route challenging.
Absolutely. More than I expected. I was confident that I was physically and mentally prepared for the trek, but nothing could prepare me for the altitude, which can humble you in an instant. Altitude isn’t something you can simply muscle through. The summit push was probably one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced to date.
With big challenges come big rewards, though. I feel like a learned a little bit more about myself that day.
You must have been overjoyed to reach Uhuru Peak, then.
I was, for sure, but at the moment I was mostly relieved. PHEW—I did this…and now I can go back down to lower altitudes.
I am really, really glad that I did it, but anyone who’s planning an Umbwe trek should be prepared to REALLY push themselves!
Victory! The view of Kilimanjaro from Arusha is breathtaking (it’s even better after you’ve stood at the summit!).