6 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE
The Kilimanjaro Umbwe route is one of the shortest and steepest routes to the summit. While it presents significant challenges due to its steepness and rapid ascent, it offers a unique and less crowded experience. To enhance your chances of acclimatization and success, a longer itinerary of seven days is recommended.
Safety Equipment Includes:
- Emergency oxygen
- Pulse oximeter
- Hot drinks at every meal
- Water provided on the climb (mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day
- Emergency rescue fees
0Day: Arrive in Tanzania Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi. Meet your guide for a briefing on your upcoming trek and an equipment check. Any missing gear can be rented. Meals: No meals included.
Drive from Moshi to Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour).
Commence the climb through the rain forest with a packed lunch on route.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path through open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue up the steep Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley, connecting with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinne
Continue to Barafu Camp. Complete the South Circuit, enjoying views of the summit from various angles. Prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), ascend towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, reaching Stella Point.
From Stella Point, continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After reaching the summit, descend to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft (summit) then down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.
Descend through lush forest to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will meet you for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Package Includes
Package Includes
- Private transportation to and from your selected route
- Airport pickup
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent for camping
- Certified, experienced, English-speaking mountain guides
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Government climbing taxes
- Climbing permits
- All hot meals prepared by our cook while on the mountain
- Salaries for guides, porters, and cooks
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Sufficient porters to carry your luggage
- Personal summit certificate signed by the National Park and your guide
Not Included:
- Personal items and toiletries
- Accommodation before and after the trek (available as an optional add-on)
- Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
- Personal trekking equipment (e.g., sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes; available for rental)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
- International airfares and departure taxes
- Personal items (e.g., telephone calls, faxes, emails)
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Visa and international flight ticket fees
