6 Days Kilimanjaro Luxury Climbing Umbwe Route

Start your adventure at Umbwe Gate (1,600 meters) and climb through the lush Rainforest zone. Climb about 10.5km (6 miles) for 5-7 hours until you reach Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 meters). Enjoy the view of Kibo if the weather permits. Tents will be ready, and dinner served upon arrival.

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

Experience the landscape's rapid transformation from rainforest to moorland as you cover ~6.5km (3.5 miles) in 4-6 hours. Reach Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) nestled under the Great Barranco Wall. This camp is a hub for climbkers from other routes like Machame, Lemosho and Shira.

Destination: Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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

Distance: ~6km / 3.5 miles Climbing time: 4-6 hours Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone Day three starts with a steep 257-meter climb up the Barranco Wall. No technical skills needed, but you'll use all four limbs to scramble up. Then, follow the Southern Circuit through Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp (3,960m) where you'll rest for the night, unless you're on a five-day route, then you continue to Barafu Camp (4,670m).

Destination: Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Accommodation: Karanga Campsite

  public camp site

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

Distance: ~3.5km / 2 miles Climbing time: 4-5 hours Zone: High alpine zone Day four is a short climb from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,670m). The route crosses a rocky, sparsely vegetated high alpine desert zone. Barafu Camp is exposed to strong winds at this altitude. Arriving around lunchtime, you'll have time to rest or climb higher if you're up for it. Eat some food, prepare your gear for the summit ascent starting at midnight. Get to bed before 19:00, as you'll be awakened around 23:30 for the summit attempt. Remember to bring extra batteries for your headlamp and camera, and insulate your water bottles.

Destination: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

Accommodation: Barafu Campsite

  public camp site

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

Distance: ~4.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7 mile descent Climbing time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka Zone: Glacial zone and the all preceding zones Start your day with hot tea and biscuits, then head up the steep slopes of Kibo. The path to the carter rim is tough, testing both your physical and mental strength. Stay focused on your goal, taking it one step at a time. At dawn, you'll reach Stella Point (5,739 meters), a significant milestone before the summit. Rest briefly but avoid lying down, as it can hinder your final push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Capture your moments at the summit quickly due to low oxygen and extreme cold. After that, return to Stella Point and consider scree sliding to Barafu Camp. Take a short break there before continuing to Mweka Camp. Use climbking poles for the demanding 5-8 hour descent to save your knees from strain and fatigue.

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

Distance: ~9km / 6 miles Climbing time: 3-5 hours Zone: Rainforest On the sixth day, enjoy your final breakfast on the mountain. Descend through thick undergrowth of the lower slopes, taking extra care with your knees. It's a 3-5 hour climb to Mweka Gate, where you'll sign-out with the authorities and receive your well-earned summit certificate.