Kilimanjaro Trekking Umbwe Route

Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel for briefing. Your guides will provide a detailed orientation and examine your gear. If you arrive midday or before, you will have time to explore Moshi, a chilled-out blend of African and Asian influences with a colorful market and a choice of coffee houses and bars. Enjoy a delicious dinner and rest to prepare for the adventure ahead.

• Driving Distance: 45 / km (40 Mins)

Elevation (m): 1600m to 2900m

Distance: 11km, Time: 6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest.

We will register at Umbwe Park Gate before starting our trek. The small winding path leads us through the rainforest and the Umbwe River. The first night’s camp is at Umbwe Cave Camp, about 2,900m altitude.

Elevation (m): 2940m to 3970m

Distance: 6km, Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest.

We leave camp shortly afterward, and shortly afterward, the forest ends. The afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco, and we can see the sheer wall of the Western Breach appearing and disappearing. We will camp at Barranco camp tonight.

Elevation (m): 3950m to 3930m

Distance: 7 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Today starts with a short but fun scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall. We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. We will stay overnight at the Karanga campsite.

Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m

Distance: 6kms, Hiking

Time: 3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

We leave the Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent Trail. From here, we continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. We can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day at camp. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m), Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent, Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

You will be woken at 23:30 with some quick tea and biscuits. We start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers. We will head north-westerly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m), we will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). At Uhuru Peak (5895m), we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. It can be freezing at night at these elevations, but it will be pretty warm by the end of the hiking day. From the summit, we descend to the Mweka Hut camp site via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (m): 3100m to 1800m

Distance: 8 km, Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest.

After breakfast, we descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will be suitable. (Keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.)

• Walking Time: 3 – 4 hours
• Distance: 10km Altitude Loss: 1300m
• Driving Distance: 135 / km (2 Hours)