The Umbwe Route is a short, steep, scenic route which approaches the summit from the south. It is the most minor used route on the mountain and also the most demanding.
This route offers spectacular views and a short summit approach, but due to the latter, it is not the best route in terms of acclimatization.
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, and transfer to Moshi town or Arusha city.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to Moshi town or Arusha city
Our driver will meet you at the Kilimanjaro Airport after you go through immigration and customs. It takes a minimum of 45 minutes to get to Moshi town or an hour to Arusha city with no traffic.
There will be a trek orientation with your Kilimanjaro guide today and an opportunity to get any rental items that you may need and also pack for the trek. You can leave extra luggage that is not needed on the trek at the hotel.
If you have time, we recommend an extra rest day before your trek.
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Chanya Lodge or Forest Hills hotel in Arusha city.
Day 2: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Drive from Moshi town or Arusha city to the Umbwe Gate. Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Umbwe Cave Camp
Day 3: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp.
Today the first section of the trail will be steeper than on the first day. You’ll start with several muddy slopes which make the ascent more difficult. As you climb higher you will enter the heather and moorland zone of the mountain, characterized by Erica tree heathers that grow up to 3 or 4 meters. You will continue on the ridge with views into the Umbwe Valley until you reach a vertical rock wall called Rope Rock. This is the steepest wall on any of this mountain’s routes. Your guide will take your daypack and assist you to get up this rocky passage. Afterward, the gradient of the trail will ease out as you make your way to the picturesque Barranco Camp, your resting place for the night. Enjoy amazing views of Kibo and the Great Barranco Wall.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Karanga Camp
Day 5: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp
Day 6: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You 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, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp
Day 7: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi town or Arusha city.
After breakfast, we continue the descent 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 probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Chanya Lodge in Moshi or Forest Hills in Arusha city.
Day 8: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
Drive to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure, or continue on for your safari.
Meals included: Breakfast
Prices are Per Person and Valid for Trips through December 31, 2022
| # People in Group: | 1 | 2-3 | 4-6 | 7+ |
| Price per Person: | $3385 | $2605 | $2355 | $2175 |