6-Day Umbwe Route Mount Kilimanjaro

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts cannot be arranged by this operator.

Umbwe Gate to Ubwe Cave

The Umbwe Route departs from the south. Most trekkers get driven from Arusha or Moshi to the Machame Gate, where registration takes place. From there trekkers are transferred to the Umbwe Gate at 1,600 meters. Here you will start your trek with your guide and porters in tow. The route follows a forestry track through the rainforest before steepening between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. If the weather is clear you will get a good view of Kibo in the distance. The campsite between large evergreen trees and thick undergrowth, with Umbwe Cave a short walk away. On arrival your tents will already be assembled and dinner will be served in your mess tent.
Elevation: 1,600 m to 2,850m
Distance: 10.5 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Umbwe Cave To Barranco Camp

On Day two the landscape changes rapidly from rainforest to moorland, with rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation. The path follows the narrow and steeper, Umbwe Route ridge until it begins to flatten close to the Barranco Valley. The Barranco Camp (3,900 m) sits in the valley under the shadow of the Great Barranco Wall with Kibo visible in the distance. You will notice the camp is pretty busy. This is because you will be joining hikers from the Machame, Lemosho and Shira Route here.
Elevation: 2,850 m to 3,900 m
Distance: 6.5 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barranco Camp To Karanga

Day three starts with a steep climb up the 257 m Barranco Wall. No technical skills are required but you will need to use all four limbs to scramble up to the top. From here you will follow an up and down route along the Southern Circuit through the Karanga Valley and up to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). You will stop at Karanga Camp for the night, unless you are on a five-day route, in which case you will continue on to Barafu Camp (4,670 m)
Elevation: 3,900m to 3,960m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Day four is a relatively short climb from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp at 4,670 m. The route sojourns through the rocky and sparsely vegetated high alpine desert zone. Barafu Camp is very exposed to the elements, especially the gale force winds that are common at this altitude. You will arrive at the camp around lunchtime, giving you lots of time to rest or potentially climb a bit higher if you are feeling up to it. Set an hour aside to ensure that your gear is ready and packed for the summit ascent that begins around midnight. Well after lunch at the Base Camp you will rest and attend the early dinner in order to give the time to sleep and rest before the finally assault to the summit. Which start on the midnight.
Karanga Camp (3,960 meters) to Barafu Camp (4,670 meters)
Elevation: 3,960 M To 4,670 M
Distance: ~3.5 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: High Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barranco To Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

After a wake-up with hot tea and biscuits, you’ll begin the steep ascent of Kibo. The climb to the crater rim tests both physical and mental endurance. Around dawn, reach Stella Point (5,739 m)—a major milestone before continuing 1–2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), Africa’s highest point. After summit photos, descend via Barafu Camp and continue to Mweka Camp, using trekking poles to ease the long descent.

Elevation: 4,670 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m

Distance: ~4.5 km ascent, 11 km descent

Hiking time: 6–8 hours up, 5–8 hours down

Habitat: Glacial and preceding zones.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

By the morning of the sixth day you should have your appetite back and can enjoy your last breakfast on the mountain before heading down through the thick undergrowth of the lower slopes. Your knees may be very sore so go slowly and make sure of each footing as you descend to Mweka Gate. On arrival at the gate you will sign-out with the authorities and be presented with your summit certificate.
Elevation: 3,100 m to 1,640 m
Distance: ~9 km
Hiking time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

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

• Additional accommodation cannot be arranged by this operator.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.