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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Trek to Africa's highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro via the steep yet short Umbwe Route. Known as one of the hardest trails on the mountain, this trek is best suited to experienced climbers and adrenaline junkies. Over 6 days, hike through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert before reaching Uhuru Peak and taking in the incomparable natural beauty of Kilimanjaro.
Trek to Africa's highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro via the steep yet short Umbwe Route.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
After breakfast, drive from Moshi to Umbwe Gate, about 1 hour away.
Commence the climb through the rainforest with a packed lunch en route towards Umbwe Cave Camp.
Overnight stay at camp.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: L/D
After breakfast, leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path across the open moorland towards Barranco Camp.
Dinner and overnight stay at camp.
Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, leave Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
Reach Karanga Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D
Begin hiking from Karanga towards Barafu Camp, completing the south circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Reach Barafu, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D
Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This will be the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and enjoy the view of the magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, snow on the route is possible during the 1-hour ascent to the summit.
Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, begin the descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp.
Stop at Barafu for lunch.
Use gaiters and trekking poles to navigate the loose gravel on the way down.
Arrive at Mweka Camp and make the most of the last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive summit certificates.
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village.
Transfer back to the hotel in Moshi.
End of tour.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B
Where this trip takes you
Umbwe Gate, Umbwe Cave Camp, Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
2 nights accommodation
Professional, experienced, English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guides
All park fees
Rescue fees
All meals while on the mountain
Arrival and departure transfers
Salaries and park fees of guides, porters, and cook
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
Sleeping mattress
Logistics
Your 6 days finish where they began, in Tanzania.
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