6 Days Journey to Kilimanjaro Peak Trekking Umbwe Route

Start your 6 days Umbwe Route trek by registering at Umbwe Park Gate. Trek through the rainforest along the Umbwe River on a 11km trail, taking about 6 hours. Camp for the night at Umbwe Cave Camp, around 2,900 meters above sea level.

Destination: Umbwe Gate To Umbwe Cave Camp

Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

Leave Umbwe Camp and trek 6km for 4-5 hours, ascending from 2,940m to 3,970m. Witness the end of the rainforest zone on Mount Kilimanjaro and marvel at the Western Breach wall in the distance. Rest for the night at Barranco camp.

Destination: Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

• Elevation (m): 3950m to 3930m • Distance: 7 km • Trekking Time: 4 hours • Habitat: Alpine Desert Start your day with a quick but enjoyable trek to the summit of the Great Barranco Wall. Afterward, descend over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m), nestled beneath the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers’ icefalls. Rest for the night at Karanga camp.

Destination: Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Accommodation: Karanga Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

• Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m • Distance: 6 km •Trekking Time: 3 hours • Habitat: Alpine Desert Leave Karanga camp behind and head towards the junction of the Mweka descending Trail. Continue upwards to reach Barafu Camp. Congratulations, you have completed the Southern Circuit, offering various perspectives of the peak. At the camp, relax, have dinner, and prepare for the summit day. You'll get clear views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks from this vantage point.

Destination: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

Accommodation: Barafu Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

Ascending from Barafu Camp (4600m) to the summit (5895m) and descending to Mweka Camp (3100m) covers a total of 7km uphill and 23km downhill. The ascent takes 6-8 hours, descent 7-8 hours. We start the summit attempt at 23:30 with tea and snacks, passing Rebman and Ratzel glaciers toward Stella Point on the crater rim through hard scree. It's mentally and physically demanding. After a break at Stella Point (5732m), we reach Uhuru Peak (5895m), Africa's highest point, with a sunrise view. Nights are cold, days warm. Descending via Barafu for lunch, the gravelly path requires trekking poles. At Mweka Camp (3100m), our final mountain meal awaits before rest.

Destination: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp

Accommodation: Mweka Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

On Day 6, we trek from Mweka Camp at 3100m to the Mweka Park Gate at 1800m. The distance covered is 8km, and it takes around 3-4 hours. The habitat changes to Montane Forest as we descend. After breakfast, we continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates, marking the end of the 6 days Umbwe Route trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. The lower levels might be muddy and damp, so gaiters and trekking poles are helpful. T-shirts and shorts are sufficient, but it's advisable to keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.