Route
7 Days Umbwe Route
Duration
7 Days
Trek Highlights
Take on the ultimate challenge with the 7-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Umbwe Route, the most direct and steep path to Africa’s highest peak. Perfect for seasoned adventurers, this route offers breathtaking views of dramatic ridges, deep valleys, and rugged landscapes. Known for its demanding terrain, the Umbwe Route promises an exhilarating climb and a true sense of accomplishment. With expert guides and stunning vistas, this trek is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for those seeking the ultimate Kilimanjaro experience!
Itinerary
- Arrival Day: Arrive in JRO / Transfer to Arusha
- Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)
- Day 2: Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
- Day 3: Acclimatization day Barranco Camp (3,900 m/12,800 ft)
- Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)
- Day 5: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
- Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp
- Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
- Departure day
Day By Day Description
Arrival Day: Arrive in JRO / Transfer to Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Your expert Kilimanjaro guide will meet you and provide a detailed briefing on your upcoming trek. An equipment check will be conducted to ensure you have all the necessary gear for the climb, and any missing items can be rented locally. This is the perfect time to prepare for your unforgettable Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)
Departing from Arusha, you will head to Umbwe Gate, where your experienced Kilimanjaro team of porters, guides, and cooks will be ready for the 6-day trek to Uhuru Peak. After registration at the gate, your first day’s climb will take you to Cave Bivouac Camp, about 6 hours away. The route is steep and can be slippery in places, leading you through Kilimanjaro’s lush cloud forest before opening up to views of heathers, tall grasses, and wildflowers. Your team will set up camp ahead of your arrival, ensuring a comfortable rest for the night.
Overnight Cave Bivouac Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 2: Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
- Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet
- Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
The trail continues along a ridge, exiting the forest and entering the open moorlands as you make your way to Barranco Camp. Known for its stunning views, Barranco is often considered the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail, surrounded by towering giant senecios and lobelias. Situated in a valley, Barranco Camp experiences a later sunrise compared to other camps. This picturesque setting offers a perfect place to rest and acclimatize on your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Overnight Barranco Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 3: Acclimatization day Barranco Camp (3,900 m/12,800 ft)
Take the opportunity to spend additional days near Barranco Camp for essential acclimatization during your Kilimanjaro trek. The campsite, adorned with unique groundsel plants, offers stunning scenery that many trekkers consider the highlight of the Umbwe Trail. This makes Barranco Camp an ideal spot to rest and adjust to the altitude before continuing your ascent. Don’t forget to keep your camera ready to capture the incredible views of this unforgettable location.
Overnight Barranco Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)
- Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet
- Distance: 7 Kilometers
- Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
After breakfast, leave Barranco Camp and begin your trek towards Karanga Valley, starting with a challenging 1.5-hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This climb is the most demanding section of the day, requiring you to use your hands in certain areas for support. Once at the top, the trail flattens out as you pass through scenic terrain, before descending steeply into the lush Karanga River Valley. This part of your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure provides incredible views and a rewarding challenge for trekkers.
Overnight Karanga Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 5: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
- Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
- Distance: 6 Kilometers
- Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
After breakfast, begin your hike towards Barafu Camp, passing by the stunning glaciers of Kibo, including Heim, Kersten, and Decken, along the way. This section of the trek traverses the alpine desert, with minimal vegetation, but the views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from Barafu Camp are breathtaking. The trail also passes the junction linking the Mweka descent route with the Machame trail. Rest up after dinner, as you’ll need to wake before midnight for the final push to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Overnight Barafu Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
- 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
Around midnight, begin your final ascent to Uhuru Peak, navigating the challenging steep trail by headlamp. The climb to the crater rim at Stella Point is demanding, but the final stretch to Uhuru Peak is more gradual, though still tiring due to the high altitude. Once at the summit, take in the spectacular views, capturing memories with photos before starting your descent to Mweka Camp. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking vistas of the mountain, crater, and glaciers, before a well-deserved break at Barafu Camp and continuing on to Mweka.
Overnight Mweka Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
- Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
- Hiking time: 4 hours
After breakfast, begin your descent from Mweka Gate, enjoying a scenic walk-through Kilimanjaro’s lush cloud forest. Be cautious as the trail can be slippery, but the journey is beautiful, and our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station to transport you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight or to Arusha for an overnight stay (additional cost applies). At Mweka Gate, climbers sign the register and receive their summit certificates. Those who reach Stella Point are awarded green certificates, while those who conquer Uhuru Peak receive the prestigious golden certificate.
Departure day
Pick up from the hotel and be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your flight.
Included
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Accommodation in Arusha on arrival
- Airport transfers
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Excluded
- Tanzania Visa
- Gratuity
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours
