7-Day Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Trek to Uhuru Peak via Barranco Camp

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest
• 02 Experience scenic Barranco Camp surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias
• 03 Capture stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from Barafu Camp
• 04 Conquer Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa, on the summit ascent
• 05 Descend through Kilimanjaro's beautiful cloud forest to Mweka Gate

Trek through moss-covered forests, scenic campsites, and breathtaking landscapes on this 7-day trek to Mt Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route. Pass through the cloud forest and open moorlands, acclimatize at the beautiful Barranco Camp, and enjoy stunning views of glaciers, Kibo, and Mawenzi along the way. Reach Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa, before descending through Kilimanjaro's beautiful cloud forest to Mweka Gate. Back in Moshi, celebrate your achievement with a well-deserved hot shower, dinner, and festivities.

Trek through moss-covered forests, scenic campsites, and breathtaking landscapes on this 7-day trek to Mt Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Umbwe Gate to Cave Bivouac Camp through the Cloud Forest

• At 8 am, leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate, where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks, who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa.
• After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make their final preparations.
• Your first day's destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate.
• The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places. Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Later in the hike, the forest begins to thin, and heathers, tall grasses, and wildflowers come into view.
• Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp before your arrival.

2

Day 02

Cave Bivouac Camp to Scenic Barranco Camp

• The first section of the trail continues along the ridge.
• After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp.
• Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail, as giant senecios and lobelias surround it.
• As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later here than at the other camps.

3

Day 03

Acclimatization Day at Barranco Camp

• You will spend more time exploring near Barranco Camp for much-needed acclimatization.
• Keep your camera handy to capture the scenery of the groundsel-clad campsite.
• Many trekkers rank this as their favourite camp on this trail, which is another reason it is the perfect spot for your acclimatization day.
• Note: If you are highly confident in your body's ability to acclimatize well, you can choose the "Six Days Umbwe Route Itinerary."

4

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley via Barranco Wall

• Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley.
• The day begins with a 1.5-hour scramble up the Barranco Wall.
• This is the hardest part of the day, and in some places, you may have to use your hands to aid your climb.
• After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.

5

Day 05

Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp with Glacier Views

• After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp.
• On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo's glaciers and the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame Trail.
• During the day, hike past the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers.
• Although the trail to Barafu passes through an alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
• Try to sleep after dinner, as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.

6

Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp

• Begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak.
• Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours.
• The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
• The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring.
• The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp.
• On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds, and glaciers.
• At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching camp.

7

Day 07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Return to Moshi

• After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate.
• Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest.
• Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery.
• Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.
• At Mweka Gate, you sign your name and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reach Stella Point are issued green certificates, and those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive golden certificates.
• You now drive back to Moshi for a long-overdue hot shower, dinner, bed, and celebrations.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
• Hotel accommodation in Moshi - Kilimanjaro White House Hotel (2 nights with half-board meal plan)
• 3 meals while on the mountain
• Kilimanjaro camping facilities such as tents, chairs, tables, and mattresses
• Professional Kilimanjaro guide, safari guide, porters, and cook
• Park fees and camping fees
• Lemosho forest fees
• Oxygen cylinder, first aid kit, and oximeter while climbing
• 18% VAT
• 3-4 litres of mineral/treated water per climber, provided daily during the climb

What's Not Included

• Other personal expenses such as shopping in gift shops, laundry, binoculars, telephone, and beverages
• Personal mountain equipment
• Optional tours of tourist interest, such as a balloon safari
• Tips and gratuities for your crew
• Visa

What to bring

• Visa
• Passport
• Cash

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.