6 DAY UMBWE ROUTE || KILITRACKS ADVENTURES

ROUTE OVERVIEW

The Umbwe Route is known as the steepest and most direct path up Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s often called the “Route for the Brave”, recommended only for experienced and fit trekkers. Though it’s one of the shortest routes to the summit, the rapid ascent makes acclimatization difficult — but the adventure rewards climbers with stunning views, solitude, and a true wilderness experience. Over 6 days, trekkers journey through dense rainforest, giant heather zones, alpine desert, and glaciers before reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the roof of Africa.

ITINERARY

DAY O: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotelin Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 1: Hotel to Umbwe Cave Camp
• Elevation: 1650m/5410ft to 2850m/9350ft
• Distance: 11km/7mi
• Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll drive from Moshi to Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Registration is completed at the park office before beginning your trek through a dense rainforest. The trail is steep, narrow, and winds up a sharp ridge between deep valleys. As you gain altitude, enjoy glimpses of Kilimanjaro’s southern glaciers. You’ll arrive at Umbwe Cave Camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
• Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 3950m/12,960ft
• Distance: 6km/4mi
• Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, continue ascending along the narrow ridge until it flattens out near the Barranco Valley. The dense forest gives way to heather and moorland vegetation, with spectacular views of the Western Breach and the towering Barranco Wall ahead. You’ll join the Machame Route trail and reach Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
• Elevation: 3950m/12,960ft to 4050m/13,250ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, climb the steep Barranco Wall—a fun and exciting scramble that offers amazing panoramic views from the top. Continue across a series of ridges and valleys to reach Karanga Camp, located at the base of the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail. This is a short but vital acclimatization day before the final push to higher altitudes.

Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
• Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 4km/2.5mi
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After a restful morning, you’ll continue the ascent on an easy but steep trail through a barren landscape to reach Barafu Camp, the final base before the summit. You’ll have an early dinner and rest as you prepare for the midnight summit attempt.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak)
• Descent to: 3100m/10,170ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi up / 12km/7.5mi down
• Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up / 5–6 hours down
• Habitat: Arctic zone / Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You’ll wake up around midnight to start your summit push. Ascend steeply through heavy scree toward Stella Point (5739m/18,829ft) on the crater rim. After a short rest, continue for about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Enjoy the breathtaking sunrise and incredible views before descending back to Barafu Camp for lunch and then further down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
• Elevation: 3100m/10,170ft to 1640m/5380ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, continue the descent through lush forest to Mweka Gate, where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. At the gate, your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a warm shower and celebration.

DAY 7: HOTEL TO AIRPORT
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

Price Include.

Price Include
>>Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
>>2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
>>Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
>>Park entry fees,
>>Camping fees.
>>Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
>>18% VAT on tour fees & services
>>4 Season mountain tents
>>Double layered Sleeping Mats
>>Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
>>3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
>>Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
>>Hot water for washing.
>>Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by theKilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
>>Government taxes
>>Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
>>Emergency first-aid kit.

Price Exclude

Price Exclude
>>Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
>>Travel insurance
>>Flights.
>>Laundry (Available at hotel).
>>Personal items and toiletries.
>>Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).
Guide $25/guide/day
Assistant guide $ 20/guide/day
Cook $15/day
Porter’s $10/porter/day