7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Umbwe Route to Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Ascend through Kilimanjaro's diverse landscapes, from moss-covered cloud forest to open moorlands
• 02 Conquer the challenging Barranco Wall with a thrilling scramble and rewarding views
• 03 Experience the exhilarating midnight ascent from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
• 04 See Kibo's glaciers and enjoy stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks
• 05 Reach Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa, and earn your Kilimanjaro summit certificate

Embark on a challenging 7-day trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, via the Umbwe Route. Starting at Umbwe Gate, this climb takes you through moss-covered cloud forest, open moorlands, and alpine desert before a midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak. Along the way, pass Barranco and Barafu camps and enjoy stunning views of Kibo, Mawenzi, and Kilimanjaro's glaciers. The adventure ends with a descent through lush forest to Mweka Gate and a return to Moshi.

Embark on a challenging 7-day trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, via the Umbwe Route.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Trek Briefing

• You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town.
• You will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and carry out an equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

2

Day 02

Umbwe Gate to Cave Bivouac Camp

• At 8 am, leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate, where you will meet the 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 destination for the day 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 thins out and heathers, tall grasses, and wildflowers come into view. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up camp in time for your arrival.

3

Day 03

Cave Bivouac 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, surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias.
• As Barranco lies in a valley, the sun rises later here than at the other camps.

4

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley

• 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 need 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

• 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 day five, 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

Summit Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp

• Around midnight, 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 relatively easy as far as hikes go. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring.
• The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos with 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 before reaching Mweka Camp.

7

Day 07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• After breakfast, finish the trek by hiking through the forest to Mweka Gate.
• The trail may be slippery following rain.
• Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
• Professional, experienced mountain guides
• Guides, porters, cook salaries, and park fees
• Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on a twin-sharing basis)
• Sleeping mattress
• Emergency oxygen cylinder
• All meals while on the mountain
• Quality mess tents with tables and chairs
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• Clean, purified drinking water
• Conservation fees (part of park fees)
• Camping or hut fees (part of park fees)
• Rescue fees (part of park fees)
• VAT (18% charged by the government)
• Kilimanjaro summit certificate

What's Not Included

• Tanzania visa
• International and domestic flights
• Hotel (available as an optional add-on)
• Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
• Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, and clothes (available for rent)
• Tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages

Know before you go

• Although traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low.
• The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting it.
• The Umbwe Route should only be attempted by very strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.