6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Umbwe Route Itinerary

Day 0 Arrive the day before for pre-trek briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred 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 you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed. Please note that the accommodation or airport transfers for this day are not included but can be booked as a supplement.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 1 Arrive at the Umbwe Gate and start your hike

Your tour will depart from your hotel in Moshi. It’s about an hour’s drive to the Umbwe Gate. After completing the registration formalities you’ll start your trek through the rainforest. As you follow the steep forestry track to Umbwe Camp, be sure to look for monkeys in the dense trees.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,850m / 9,350’)
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 11 km, 1190m of elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Hike Umbwe Ridge to Barranco Valley

As you trek today, the trees will become sparser as the terrain becomes rockier. After climbing steadily up the ridge, the trail will flatten out as you approach Barranco Camp in the valley. Here you’ll join the other hikers who have been ascending the Machame Route.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,900m / 9,350’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 6 km, 1150m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Climb the Barranco Wall and trek the Karanga Valley

Since the Umbwe Route ascends Kilimanjaro quickly, today will be an important day for acclimatization. A major challenge on the route is the infamous Barranco Wall. It will be a steep climb up a cliff that is just over 250m high! From here you’ll be continuing into the Karanga Valley with one final steep stretch up to Karanga Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,995m / 13,106’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5 km, 50m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Complete the South Circuit and trek to Barafu

By today you have completed the Southern Circuit, which means you’ve enjoyed views of Uhuru Peak from nearly every angle. Otherwise, the trail is barren as you hike through the alpine desert to Barafu Camp. Dinner and bedtime will be early since your wake-up call is at midnight!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,673m / 15,331’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 4 km, 650m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Reach the summit and trek to Mweka Camp

You’ll begin your trek in the middle of the night to allow enough time to reach the summit and return to safer altitudes. You’ll hike through difficult terrain and pass between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before you begin the extremely challenging section up to Stella Point. Your reward for surviving the wind, cold, and the steep climb will be the magnificent sunrise at Stella Point. From here it’s about another hour’s hike through the snow to reach the summit. You’ll have a few minutes to celebrate being at the highest point in Africa at the top of Uhuru Peak. From here it’s still a long day ahead, as you’ll return to Barafu for lunch and continue to Mweka Camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,100m / 10,170)
Distance: 10 to 13 hours, 18 km, 1195m of ascent and 2800m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Arrive at Mweka Gate and drive back to Moshi

After a night at a much more comfortable elevation, you’ll begin the last leg of your hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. Once you’ve arrived you’ll receive your summit certificate and your driver will take you back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 1680m of descent
Meals: Breakfast