7 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. Although it’s one of the shortest routes to the summit, this 7-day itinerary includes an extra acclimatization day at Karanga Camp, making it safer and improving your chances of successfully reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the Roof of Africa.
The trail offers solitude, raw wilderness, and breathtaking scenery, taking you through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glaciers over the course of your adventure.

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: 1,650m/5,410ft to 2,850m/9,350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, drive from Moshi to Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Register at the park office before starting your trek through a dense rainforest. The trail is steep and narrow, ascending sharply along a ridge between deep valleys. As you climb, enjoy glimpses of Kilimanjaro’s southern glaciers. Arrive at Umbwe Cave Camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft to 3,950m/12,960ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue your ascent along the ridge until it flattens out near the Barranco Valley. The forest gives way to heather and moorland vegetation, with incredible views of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall. You’ll join the Machame Route and reach Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,950m/12,960ft to 4,050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Climb the steep Barranco Wall, a thrilling scramble that rewards you with amazing panoramic views. Then, trek through ridges and valleys before arriving at Karanga Camp, located below the junction connecting to the Mweka Route. This camp serves as a vital acclimatization stop.

Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4,050m/13,250ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is dedicated to rest and acclimatization. You’ll take short hikes around Karanga Valley to help your body adjust to the altitude. Enjoy the mountain views and prepare for the final ascent to higher altitudes in the coming days.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,050m/13,250ft to 4,700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2.5mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue ascending over rocky terrain to reach Barafu Camp, the final base before the summit. The word “Barafu” means “ice” in Swahili — fitting for the cold, barren landscape. Eat an early dinner and rest as you prepare for your midnight summit attempt.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,700m/15,350ft to 5,895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent to: 3,100m/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
Around midnight, begin your summit push. Climb slowly over scree to Stella Point (5,739m/18,829ft) on the crater rim, then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Enjoy the sunrise and the stunning views before descending back to Barafu for lunch and then down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Moshi for a warm shower and celebration at your hotel.

DAY 8: 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