6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour via the Umbwe Route

• Meet your tour guide upon arrival.
• When we arrive at Umbwe Gate, we complete the registration paperwork and prepare the expedition gear. The trek begins on a gradually inclining 4WD path, which ends at a sign marked "Umbwe Trail."
• Ascend through a dense forest on a steep and sometimes muddy path until we reach Umbwe Camp.

Elevation (ft): 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: RainForest

• Start the trek as we ascend higher into the heath zone. Here, the landscape changes quickly to sparse vegetation, rocky outcrops, and giant heathers. The trail leads up a narrow ridge and then flattens as it nears Barranco Valley, offering great views of Kibo Peak and Moshi. There will be some extra time to explore the area at camp.

Elevation (ft): 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Heath

• Start your climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the 1,200 ft Barranco Wall. On reaching the top, we have a well-earned lunch break and enjoy fantastic views of Barafu and Mount Meru.
• Continue across the ridges and valleys to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatisation.

Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Leave Karanga after breakfast and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• Continue up to Barafu Hut and see the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
• Make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site.

Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Begin climbing to the summit. We head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
• Stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, we have just one more hour before reaching the summit.
• Reach Uhuru Peak. Now you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. We then begin our descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 17 km

Hiking Time: 11-14 hours

Habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, continue the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. The vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.
• Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure.

Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: RainForest