7 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted and transported to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you’ll meet your experienced guide who will provide a comprehensive briefing about your upcoming trek. The guide will also conduct an equipment check to ensure you have all the essential mountain gear. If any gear is missing, don’t worry—it can be rented on the same day.

Meals for the day include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring you’re well-fueled for the adventure ahead! 🌄🥾🏔️

At 8 a.m., depart from Moshi for Umbwe Gate, where you’ll meet our dedicated team of porters, guides, and cooks. These skilled companions will accompany you on the six-day trek to Uhuru Peak, the majestic roof of Africa. Upon arrival, take a moment at the gate while we complete the necessary climb registration, and our porters and guides make their final preparations.

First Day Destination: Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in certain areas. As you hike, immerse yourself in the enchanting moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Later in the hike, the forest will thin out, revealing heathers, tall grasses, and vibrant wildflowers. Ahead of your arrival, our diligent porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp.

Here are the key details for Day 1:

Elevation Gain: 1,050 meters (approximately 3,445 feet)
Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, ensuring you’re well-nourished for this exhilarating journey! 🌄🥾🏔️

On the Umbwe Trail, the initial section traces the ridge, guiding hikers through dense forests. Once you emerge from the forest, the trail meanders across open moorlands until you arrive at the captivating Barranco Camp. This campsite is renowned for its breathtaking surroundings, nestled amidst towering senecios and lobelias. Due to its valley location, Barranco Camp experiences later sunrises compared to other camps.

Here are the key details for your Umbwe Trail adventure:

Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters (3,610 feet)
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during your journey.
Remember to prepare for a challenging ascent, but the awe-inspiring views and unique flora make it a rewarding experience! 🏔️🌿

Extra Day for Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.

Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet
Distance: 7 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

"Begin your day with breakfast, and then set off on the trail to Barafu Camp. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Kibo’s glaciers, including the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. The trail passes through the alpine desert, characterized by sparse vegetation. However, don’t let that fool you—Barafu Camp itself offers breathtaking vistas of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. After dinner, get some rest because you’ll need to wake up before midnight for your summit hike.

Elevation Gain: 400 meters (1,320 feet)
Hiking Time: 3 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included"

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point. The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.

At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.

Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
Hiking time: 6 hours to the rim, 1 hour to Uhuru, 3 to 4 hours back to Barafu, 4 hours to Mweka
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.

Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
Hiking time: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

Meals: Breakfast Included