Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Umbwe Route to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek the less-travelled Umbwe Route with beautiful panoramas
02 Admire magnificent views of Kibo Peak and Moshi from Barranco Valley
03 Scramble up the 1,200 ft Barranco Wall with fantastic views of Barafu and Mount Meru
04 Complete the summit push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
05 Witness a magnificent sunrise from Stella Point or the summit

Embark on an adventurous journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route, a less-travelled trail with beautiful panoramas. Enjoy stunning views as you follow this steep but rewarding climb to the top. Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, and experience incomparable natural beauty and breathtaking landscape vistas.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), we stop for a short rest and are rewarded with what will likely be one of the most magnificent sunrises you have ever seen.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp Through Dense Forest

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."
From here, we ascend through a dense forest on a steep and sometimes muddy path until we reach Umbwe Camp.

Day 02

Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp via the Heath Zone

The trek begins steeply 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, which offers great views of Kibo Peak and Moshi.
Once at camp, there will be some extra time to explore the area.

Day 03

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via Barranco Wall

Our first challenge is a 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.
We continue across the ridges and valleys to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Day 04

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp on the Southern Circuit

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
We continue up to Barafu Hut. At this point, we have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here, we make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site.

Day 05

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Down to Mweka Hut

Very early in the morning, at midnight, we put on many layers of clothing and begin our climb to the summit. We head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), we stop for a short rest and are rewarded with what will likely be one of the most magnificent sunrises you have ever seen. From Stella Point, we have just one more hour before reaching the summit.
At Uhuru Peak, you will 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.

Day 06

Mweka Camp Descent and Return to Moshi

After breakfast, we 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 enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.