6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Umbwe Route to Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Navigate the challenging ascent from Umbwe Gate along the Umbwe River
• 02 Conquer the Great Barranco Wall on a short but fun scramble
• 03 Complete the Southern Circuit with summit views from multiple angles
• 04 Reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
• 05 Descend via the Mweka Route after your summit push

The 6-Day Umbwe Route has a well-deserved reputation as the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the south, it is a short, steep, and direct climb through rainforest and alpine terrain before joining the Southern Circuit to the summit. The descent follows the Mweka Route. Because of its steepness in the first two days and its short acclimatisation time, this route is considered very difficult and is best suited to strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatise to the altitude.

At Uhuru Peak (5895m), we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Challenging

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp Through Rainforest

• We will register at Umbwe Park Gate before starting our trek. The small winding path leads us through the rainforest and along the Umbwe River.
• The first night's camp is at Umbwe Cave Camp, at about 2,900 m altitude.
• Elevation (m): 1600m to 2900m, Distance: 11km, Time: 6 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

2

Day 02

Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp Beneath the Western Breach

• We leave camp, and shortly afterwards, the forest ends. We can see the sheer wall of the Western Breach appearing and disappearing as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco.
• We will camp at Barranco Camp tonight.
• Elevation (m): 2940m to 3970m, Distance: 6km, Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

3

Day 03

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via the Great Barranco Wall

• Today starts with a short but fun scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall.
• We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers.
• We will stay overnight at the Karanga campsite.
• Elevation (m): 3950m to 3930m, Distance: 7 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

4

Day 04

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp on the Southern Circuit

• We leave the Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent trail. From here, we continue up to Barafu Hut.
• You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. We can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day at camp. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this position.
• Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m, Distance: 6kms, Hiking Time: 3 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

5

Day 05

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Down to Mweka Hut

• You will be woken at 23:30 with some quick tea and biscuits. We start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers.
• We will head north-westerly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.
• At Stella Point (5732m), we will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
• At Uhuru Peak (5895m), we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be pretty warm by the end of the hiking day.
• From the summit, we descend to the Mweka Hut campsite via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp (3100m).
• Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
• Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m), Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent, Time: 6-8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent, Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

6

Day 06

Mweka Camp to Mweka Park Gate and Hotel

• We depart after breakfast, descending down to the 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 be suitable, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
• Elevation (m): 3100m to 1800m, Distance: 8 km, Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montane Forest.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• One night at a comfortable hotel before your climb
• Transfer to and from the mountain from/to your hotel
• Minimum of 1 private guide for every 2 clients
• Private tent (2 guests per tent) for all tented routes or hut accommodation
• A fantastic cook, camp manager, and team of porters
• Food and drinks (water, tea, coffee) on the mountain
• High-quality tents, chairs, and table
• One private portable toilet for the group for all tented routes
• Park fees (around US$ 150 per person per day)
• Rescue Service Fee

What's Not Included

• Airfares and departure taxes
• Personal gear
• Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
• Entry visa for Tanzania (you can get a visa upon arrival; for most nationalities this is US$ 50 per person)
• Vaccinations
• Travel insurance
• Dinner and drinks at the hotel before the climb
• Accommodation in the valley after the climb

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Your hotel

Tour start

R76H+2VW, Umbwe, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.