Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route 6 Days
Overview
Umbwe route starts at the gate with the same name, although it is not technical but it very steep and at some parts very difficult to climb if you have not enough strength and experience in trekking rough terrains. It joins Machame route at Barranco camp, but the path before it is pretty exposed, and that is why Umbwe is considered the most difficult route on the Kilimanjaro. We absolutely do not recommend it to the people without experience and lesser physical strength. It can be climbed in 5 or 6 days, but do note that shorter plan does not offer acclimatization day to accommodate the high altitude conditions. Descend is at Mweka Gate.ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
Upon you arrive you will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) with our representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha town; you will be meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment final check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 1: UMBWE GATE (1800M) TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP (2850M)
- Total distance: 10km
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
In the morning you will leave your hotel as we drive you to Umbwe gate. After arriving, and finishing registration of your climb, the porters and guides will make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Umbwe Cave Camp. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places, so be very careful. Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike and heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers will come into view.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
DAY 2: UMBWE CAVE CAMP (2850M) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3950M)
- Total distance: 7km
- Hiking Time (approx.): 6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, you head out towards Barranco Camp. This day entails walking on a fairly steep area in the forest along a sharp ridge before the path flattens close to Barranco. This stretch of the climb is also fairly short with a steep incline of 1000m, so walking slowly is also very essential to avoid altitude problems. Following lunch the path gets rockier and vegetation changes as the path steadily climbs before (finally!) a short downhill to arrive at Barranco Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP (3950M) TO KARANGA CAMP (4200M)
- Distance: 5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP (4200M) TO BARAFU CAMP (4600M)
- Distance: 4km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP (4600M) TO SUMMIT UHURU PEAK (5895M) TO MWEKA CAMP (3100M).
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak
- Distance: 5 km ascent and 11 km descent
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point (5739m), from where we have further hour to summit Uhuru peak. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. After a short stop for taking photos celebrations a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment of a lifetime adventure. Later on, descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka camp in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP (3100M) TO MWEKA GATE (1500M)
- Total distance: 5km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
DEPART TANZANIA
Today is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight back home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town before heading to the airport. You can schedule your Tanzania wildlife safaris or beach vacation in Zanzibar.
Meals: Breakfast Included

Talk to our adventure expert
George Stanley
Call/WhatsApp +(255) 719177553
info@nyameratreksandsafaris.com
georgenyamera@gmail.com
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What's included:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- 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
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari
What's excluded:
- International or local flights
- Optional activities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips for the safari crew
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance