Explore the world with tourHQ
Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Embark on an adventurous voyage to summit Mount Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route, a less-travelled trail with beautiful panoramas. This steep route offers a constant and rewarding climb through cloud forest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacier scenery on the way to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Along the journey, enjoy stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi, pass dramatic camps such as Barranco and Barafu, and experience the incomparable natural beauty of Kilimanjaro's breathtaking landscapes.
Embark on an adventurous voyage to summit Mount Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route, a less-travelled trail with beautiful panoramas.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transported to your accommodation in Moshi town, where you will meet your guide. Your guide will brief you on your forthcoming trip and carry out an equipment check to ensure you have all the required mountain gear.
On this day, you may hire any equipment you need.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
Leave Moshi at 8 a.m. for Umbwe Gate, where you will meet the porters, guides, and chefs who will accompany you on your six-day journey to Uhuru Peak, Africa's roof. On arrival, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make their final preparations. Your first stop will be Cave Bivouac Camp, which is around 6 hours from the entrance.
The path is steep in parts and may be slippery. Hike into the cloud forest of Kilimanjaro's moss-covered trees. Later in the walk, the woodland will thin out, revealing heathers, long grasses, and wildflowers. The porters and chefs will go ahead of you to set up camp in preparation for your arrival.
Elevation Gain: 1,050 meters
Time spent: 6hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
The path continues to follow the ridge for the first part of the day. Continue across open moorlands until you reach Barranco Camp after exiting the forest.
Surrounded by huge senecios and lobelias, Barranco is often considered the most beautiful campground on the Umbwe Trail. Due to its location in a valley, Barranco has a later sunrise than the other campgrounds.
Total Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters
Time spent: 7hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
After breakfast, depart Barranco Camp for Karanga Valley. A 1.5-hour struggle up the Barranco Wall kicks off the day. This is the most difficult portion of the day, and you may need to use your hands to help you climb in certain spots.
After reaching the top, walk over reasonably flat terrain before descending on a short but steep drop into the lush Karanga River Valley.
Elevation Gain: 250 meters
Distance traveled: 7 Kilometers
Time spent: 5hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
Begin the trek to Barafu Camp after breakfast. On the way to Barafu, view many of Kibo's glaciers as well as the junction that links the Mweka descent path with the Machame Trail. Hike past the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers on this day.
Although the route to Barafu passes through alpine desert with minimal flora, the views from Barafu Camp of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks are spectacular. After supper, try to get some rest, as you will need to get up before midnight for your summit climb.
Elevation Gain: 400 meters
Time spent: 5hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
Begin the final climb to Uhuru Peak at about midnight. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The climb to the crater rim is the most difficult portion of the journey. The path is extremely steep until you reach Stella Point on the crater rim.
The trek from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a steady ascent that is not very challenging. The altitude, however, makes the trek long and exhausting. The walk from Stella Point to the summit takes around an hour.
Take pictures with your guide and group at the summit of Uhuru before starting the descent to Mweka Camp. Enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds, and glaciers as you descend from Uhuru. Take a brief rest and have breakfast at Barafu Camp. You still have three to five hours of trekking before you reach Mweka Camp.
Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters
Time spent: 6hrs to the rim, 1hr to Uhuru, 4hrs back to Barafu, 4hrs to Mweka
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
Finish the trip with a walk through the jungle to Mweka Gate after breakfast. Following rain, the path may become slippery. Our vehicles will meet you at Mweka Gate's lower station to transport you back to Moshi.
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters
Time spent: 4hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are all included.
After the hike, you will have the rest of the day free to relax before your journey home. Depending on flight schedules, you may want to go sightseeing around Moshi and pick up some souvenirs before going to the airport.
If you want to continue exploring Tanzania, safaris, Zanzibar, and other add-ons are available.
Breakfast is included in the price.
Where this trip takes you
Umbwe Gate, Barranco Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
Marangu route:
Machame route:
Lemosho route:
Rongai route:
Umbwe route:
The Northern Circuit route:
Logistics
Your 8 days finish where they began, in Mt Kilimanjaro.
Watch the film
Create your own adventure
Say goodbye to travel stress.
Starting from
Estimated room rates
When
Travellers
Total
—
