Overview
The Umbwe Route on Mount Kilimanjaro offers an intense challenge for seasoned hikers. This steep, demanding path traverses all of Kilimanjaro’s climate zones—from tropical rainforest to eternal ice—pushing your strength and endurance to the limit. Those who reach the summit via Umbwe experience a unique sense of achievement.
Starting at Umbwe Gate, the first day’s trek leads to Umbwe Camp. Despite the route’s difficulty, well-placed camps aid in acclimatization.
This 6-day trek is recommended only for experienced hikers in excellent shape, as the Umbwe Route is too challenging for beginners.
Itinerary
Umbwe route 6 days
DAY 1 - MOSHI - UMBWE CAMP
Your first day trekking is meant to bring you to Umbwe Camp for your first mountain overnight. Climbing up to 2,930 m is a long haul with a significant increase in altitude, so find the right pace for the whole group and stick with it. As this part of Umbwe route goes through rainforest with its probability of rain showers- do not forget your raincoat. Your support crew will have prepared the camp and dinner by the time you get there.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - UMBWE CAMP - BARRANCO CAMP
Early wake-up, breakfast, and the start of trekking to Barranco Camp. The rainforest will quickly give way to brush, and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see Meru Volcano for the first time. Trekking on the Umbwe route for this day will be of a moderate length, and around lunchtime, you will reach Barranco Camp (3,960 m), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault. Lunch will be provided here, and then you have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day, which significantly facilitates the acclimatization process.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA CAMP
Early wakeup, breakfast, and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then descend back down to the camp.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - BARRANCO CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
At around midnight, you will be awoken with some hot tea and biscuits to get ready for today’s ascent. You will climb in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here, you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep await you.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Arusha
At around midnight, you will be awoken with some hot tea and biscuits to get ready for today’s ascent. You will climb in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here, you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep await you.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cost Breakdown
Included
National Park fees
Including once-off rescue fee of USD $20 per person. Other National Park fees are charged per person and based on the number of days spent in the Park. These other required fees are: entry fee of USD $70 per day and public campsite fee of USD $50 per night. NOTE: in Marangu they don't have public campsites so we supposed to pay Hut fee which is USD 60 per person per night,
VAT
From the government
Wages
For Guides, Assistant Guides, cooks and porters consistent with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
Transport
to and from airport to Hotel
to and from Hotel to National Park Gate (starting point)
Fresh local ingredients for three meals per day during the hiking and filtered drinkable water.
Equipments
such as quality sleeping tents, communal meals tent, portable toilet, and sleeping pad
for your safety and well-being, such as mandatory First Aid Kit, Oxygen tank, Oximeter, and stretcher and handheld radio
Other cost not Included
Equipments
such as sleep bags, hiking poles, head-lamps are not included in the pricing. However, these equipment along with others, like down jacket, rain gear, and hiking shoes are available for rent. See our rental equipment table for the full list
Tipping
is part of the local culture and is an expectation. While our team earns above minimum wage, tips are a key way to support local staff—especially those working in tough conditions like on the mountain. While wages are taxed heavily in Tanzania, tips are not taxed. So in Tanzania, guides, cooks and porters rely on tips to support 5–10 family members. Tips help them achieve their goals and are a meaningful way to say thank you. We ask that you kindly budget for tips
VISA fee and Travel insurance
Additional Hotel night
Laundry service
is not provided during the hike. However, you may use the hotel’s laundry services which they provide for a cost
Cost of meals during your stay at the hotel.
The hotel we’ll organize your stay at has a restaurant. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants located near the hotel within walking distance.