7 Days Umbwe Route

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Umbwe Gate, Hike To Umbwe Cave Camp

Hiking Time:5 – 6 hours

Distance: About 11Km/7mi.

Habitat: Montana forest

Departing from Arusha/Moshi until we reach the Umbwe gate. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. Then we continue until we reach Umbwe Cave.

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 6km/4mi

Habitat: Semi- desert

We leave camp and shortly afterward the forest ends. We can see the sheer wall of the Western Breach appearing and disappearing as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. We will camp at Barranco camp.

Day 3: Hike Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours

Distance: 5km/3mi

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see your power/ strength over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 4: Hike Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours.

Distance: 4km/2mi

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga camp behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent Trail. From here we continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. At the camp, we can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo will be seen from this position

Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp To Summit, Down To Mweka Camp

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will be woken at midnight with some quick tea and biscuits. We start our trekking to the summit. We will head in a northwest direction and ascend through to Stella Point on the crater rim. At Stella Point, we will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise. At Summit, we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the roof of Africa. Then we descend to the Mweka Hut camp, via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 10km/6mi

Habitat: Forest

After breakfast, it is to time to say goodbye to the crew. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi.