Umbwe Route: Is the most scenic but is recommended only for experienced climbers. It starts with a quick ascend, so it provides very little time for acclimatization. It is located at the southern part of the mountain. It can be climbed in 6 to 7 days. To get to Umbwe Gate 1600m we first drive to Machame Gate to get your entry permit before we travel to Umbwe village to begin the climb.

This route is available as both a 6 days and a 7 days itinerary, but the 6 days is more commonly used since this route is typically chosen by those wanting the most challenging experience the mountain offers. 

6 Days climbing via Umbwe Route

Day 1 to Umbwe Camp 2940m

On day 1 you will hike from Umbwe gate (1600m) to Umbwe camp. You will pass through dense rainforest. You might be able to see some black and white colubus monkeys as well as blue monkeys and some endemic flowers like Impatiens Kilimanjari. The distance is 11km and the walk time is 5 to 6 hours, including a lunch break.

Day 2 to Barranco Camp 3940m:

From Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp is a very steep climb. The distance is 6km which will take 4-5 hours of hiking and you will be in the moorland zone. The trail becomes less steep as you get closer to Barranco Camp. At Barranco Camp you will share the trail with climbers from Machame, Lemosho and Londorossi Routes.

The hike from Umbwe to Baranco offers a nice view of your ultimate destination, Kibo peak, and also numerous rift valleys on the way and the forest you crossed on day 1.

Day 3 to Karanga Camp 3995m:

From Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp takes 2 – 3 hours, covering a distance of 5km. You will trek up the Barranco Wall, a 300m altitude gain. The peak of the wall is at 4200m. This part is challenging because the trail is narrow and the number of hikers, porters, and guides is large. In some parts, you have to use your hands for climbing. You will cross the famous obstacle called Kissing Rock. Shorty before Karanga Camp you will cross the Karanga Valley at 3930m which is the last point where porters can fetch water.

Day 4 to Barafu Camp 4673m:

It will only take 2 to 3 hours and the covered distance is 4km from Karanga to Barafu Camp. It is not steep but to acclimatize you have to walk “pole pole” (slowly). You will be in the alpine desert and on the left side you can see Kibo Peak. A  few meters before Barafu you will find Sedimentary Rocks. There is no water at the camp, so your porters will carry water from Karanga Valley.

Day 5: Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp:

The climb from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak is 5km, which will require  6 to 7 hours on a steep, zigzag path. The summit attempt will start around midnight. It is a challenging night and before you reach  Uhuru Peak you will cross  Stella Point (5756m) at the crater rim and merge with the people from Marangu and Rongai Routes. From Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5895m) is one hour of walking and mostly flat. After making it to Uhuru Peak you can take pictures, and enjoy the successful feat for a few minutes.  But we cannot rest for long, there is still a long way to travel this day. We will return via the same route to Barafu Camp for a bit of sleep and brunch. The descent via the Mweka Route starts at Barafu Camp to Millennium Camp 3797m. The way is steep, and it just takes only 2-3 hours to cover the 4km to Millennium Camp. You will pass from the alpine desert to the moorland zone.
From Millennium Camp to Mweka Camp 3100m is also a steep walk which takes 2 – 3 hours for 3.5km. You will cross the moorland to the forest zone and on the way, you will see Protea Kilimandscharica and Red Hot Poker and various other species of flowers and plants.

Day 6 to Mweka Gate 1640m

Mweka Camp Mweka Gate: It is a long and steep downhill walk of about 10km which takes about 4-5 hours. The rainforest floor is wet and slippery, requiring careful and slow walking. You are again in the rain forest where you may again see various species of flowers like Impatiens Kilimanjari and different trees and also sometimes you may see blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys. Once you arrive at Mweka Gate you will sign out in Kilimanjaro National Park log book. Our guide will collect certificates for those who did a successful climb to Stella Point and Uhuru Point. Afterward, we will drive to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for long, hot shower and enjoyment