7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Umbwe Route

From $ 2,000

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Overview

This 7-day Mount Kilimanjaro climb via the Umbwe Route follows the most direct and challenging path to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain. Known for its steep ascents and dramatic ridges, the route passes quickly from dense rainforest into stark alpine landscapes, offering a raw and powerful mountain experience.

The itinerary is designed for experienced and physically fit climbers, with carefully planned acclimatization after the initial steep sections and full support from a professional mountain crew. Ideal for adventurers seeking a demanding yet rewarding ascent, this climb delivers solitude, striking scenery, and the achievement of reaching Uhuru Peak on one of Kilimanjaro’s most demanding routes.

Duration

7 Days | 6 Nights

Destinations

Machame Camp, Shira Camp,Lava Tower, Barranco Camp,Karanga Camp,Barafu Camp,Summit, Mweka Camp and Mweka Gate

Pick Up/Drop Off

Kilimanjaro International Airport

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Full Itinerary

Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.

Main Destination:
Kilimanjaro Airport

Accommodation:
Hotel

Meals:
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 1: Hotel to Umbwe Cave Camp

Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). 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: Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination:
Umbwe Cave Camp

Accommodation:
Camp

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.

Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination:
Barranco Camp

Accommodation:
Camp

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Stay at Barranco Camp

Extra Day for Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 0km/0mi
Hiking Time: 0 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination:
Barranco Camp

Accommodation:
Camp

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: 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: 34 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination:
Karanga Camp

Accommodation:
Camp

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: 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
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination:
Barafu Camp

Accommodation:
Camp

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit 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: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination:
Mweka Camp

Accommodation:
Camp

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

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 gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast

Safari Pricing (Per Person)

No. of Pax 2 - 4 5 - 9 10+
Price Per Person
$ 2,000
$ 1,950
$ 1,790

Included in the Safari

  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
  • Kilimanjaro summit certificate
  • Conservation fees (part of park fees)
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • VAT (18% charged by the Government)
  • Rescue fees (part of park fees)
  • Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
  • Emergency Oxygen Cylinder

Not Included

  • Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Tanzania Visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
  • International and domestic flights
  • Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
  • Transfers (available as an optional addon)
  • Hotel (available as an optional addon)
  • Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)

Plan Your Trip

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