7 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Hiking Adventure via Umbwe Route

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a one-hour drive to the trek's starting point at 1650 meters above sea level. During this drive, you'll have the chance to meet your assistant guide, cook, and porters, who are essential in assisting you on your journey to the summit. As you commence your trek, you'll traverse farms and venture through a montane forest. These lower slopes of Kilimanjaro are now part of a National Park, teeming with lush rainforests and a variety of beautiful birds and animals. If you tread quietly, you may even have the privilege of spotting black and white colobus monkeys. As you steadily ascend, you'll eventually reach Umbwe Cave Camp at 2850 meters, where tents are nestled among lichen-covered trees.

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

Your hiking continues, taking you through the forest and into the vast heather zone. You'll navigate through rocky terrain until you reach the campsite near the Barranco Camp at 3950 meters.

Destination: Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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

Today is a well-deserved rest day at Barranco Camp, situated at 3950 meters. You have the option to take a morning or afternoon walk uphill to an altitude of 3400 meters to aid in acclimatization. This camping area offers stunning views of the moorland zone, with rocky outcrops, giant lobelias, and picturesque scenery. Birds are a common sight around the camp, particularly the streaky seed eater and alpine chat. You may also spot the four-striped grass mouse foraging for food scraps.

Destination: Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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

The trail leads you up the imposing Barranco wall, which may appear daunting from a distance but proves manageable when approached closely. Your guides will assist in navigating a few exposed areas. Most of the trail is well-maintained, albeit steep. You'll reach the top of the wall in a little over an hour. The path then meanders southeastward, followed by a steep descent to the Karanga valley campsite at 4100 meters.

Destination: Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Accommodation: Karanga Campsite

  public camp site

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

Today's route undulates from the Karanga valley to the junction of the Mweka route. From here, you face a final ascent to the Barafu Camp (Barafu means "ice" in Swahili), located at 4600 meters. Vegetation is sparse at this altitude, and tents are pitched among rocky outcrops. Despite the harsh environment, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the peak and Mawenzi in the east. The white-necked ravens, with their echoing croaks, are the primary birdlife in this region, scavenging for food.

Destination: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

Accommodation: Barafu Campsite

  public camp site

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

Today is the most challenging day of your hike, with 10-15 hours of walking at high altitude over steep terrain. The total ascent for the day is 1300 meters. You set off from Barafu Camp at 1:00 a.m. with head torches, ascending the steep scree slope to reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5700 meters. This timing allows you to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the rim. From Stella Point, it's another 1-1.5 hours along the rim to reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. Snow may be encountered on the screen slope, and walking poles prove useful for both ascent and descent. After the exhilaration of reaching the summit, you descend slowly to your overnight camp for a late breakfast and a well-deserved 2-hour rest in your tent. The guide will eventually encourage you to begin the lengthy descent to Mweka Camp, passing through the heather moorland. You'll reach the Mweka camping area in the late afternoon, ready for some much-needed 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 the final day of your hike, the hike from Mweka camp to the Mweka Gate takes about 4 to 6 hours. The terrain transitions from alpine to forest, covering around 8.5 kilometers. Some hikers might face knee issues, which could extend the descent time. It's crucial not to tip your porters until you and your gear safely reach the gate. At Mweka Gate, you'll sign in a register. Successful hikers receive summit certificates. Stella Point (5739 meters) achievers get green certificates, Uhuru Peak (5895 meters) conquerors receive gold certificates. After gate formalities, you'll descend to Mweka village, usually a muddy 3-kilometer hike taking about an hour. After signing out at the gate, you'll be transferred to a Moshi hotel for a hot shower and dinner. Alternatively, in the evening, you'll go to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.