6-Day Umbwe Route Camping

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arusha to Umbwe Gate and hike to Umbwe Cave

Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Cave Bivouac Camp (2,850m/9,350ft)

At 8am leave Arusha to Umbwe Gate where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks, who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places. 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. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. Elevation Gain: 1,050 meters, 3,445 feet
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Umbwe Cave to Barranco camp

Cave Bivouac (2,850m/9,350ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.
Total Elevation gain: 1,100 meters, 3,610 feet
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)

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.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karanga camp to Barafu Camp

Karanga Valley (3995m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)

Several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.
Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
Distance: 6 Kilometers
Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and back to Barafu

Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

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, After breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching millennium camp / Mweka Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mweka camp to Mweka gate and drive to Arusha

Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/4,920ft)

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha.

At Mweka Gate gate you sign your name and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with Green Certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive Golden Certificates.
You now drive back to Arusha Hotel for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
Hiking time: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast Included.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.