7 Days Trekking via Umbwe Route Experience Kilimanjaro

Our adventure kicks off with a 50-minute drive to Machame Gate, where the necessary registration formalities are completed. From there, we continue our journey, passing through quaint villages, as well as coffee and banana plantations, until we reach the Umbwe Gate. The trail ahead leads us into the heart of a lush rainforest, with a steep ascent along a forestry track. The path narrows and grows steeper as we wind our way up, flanked by towering trees and nestled between two rivers. Our first campsite, Umbwe Camp, is tucked away amidst the dense vegetation.

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

As we embark on the second day of our trek, the terrain becomes rockier, and the forest thins, revealing moss-covered trees scattered sparsely around. With each step upwards, we catch glimpses of the majestic Kilimanjaro. Approaching Barranco Valley, the path levels out, guiding us through the intriguing and beautiful Senecio Forest. The trek takes us down from the Umbwe ridge to Barranco Camp, a surreal setting surrounded by unique landscapes.

Destination: Umbwe Cave Camp To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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

Day three is dedicated to acclimatization at Barranco Camp. Here, you'll have the chance to explore the vicinity, with your camera ready to capture the captivating scenery adorned with groundsel plants. Many trekkers consider this camp their favorite along the trail, making it an ideal spot for acclimatization. If you're confident in your body's acclimatization abilities, you can opt for the 6-Day Umbwe Itinerary.

Destination: Shira Cave To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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

We begin the day by descending into a ravine at the base of the imposing Great Barranco Wall. Then, we embark on a non-technical but steep ascent, climbing nearly 900 feet up the Barranco Wall. Once we conquer this challenge, we traverse a series of hills and valleys, eventually descending sharply into Karanga Valley. Our journey concludes with one more steep climb, leading us to Karanga Camp. This day is designed for acclimatization, offering a shorter trek.

Destination: Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Accommodation: Karanga Campsite

  public camp site

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

Our journey from Karanga Camp continues as we join the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail. We make our way up the rocky section to Barafu Hut. This marks the completion of the Southern Circuit, providing us with various angles to admire the summit. Barafu Camp is where we set up camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the summit day. From this vantage point, you can gaze upon the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Destination: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

Accommodation: Barafu Campsite

  public camp site

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

In the early hours of the morning, around midnight, we commence our challenging journey to the summit. This section of the trek is both mentally and physically demanding, with extreme cold and winds at this high elevation. We ascend in darkness, taking short breaks along the way. As we near Stella Point at 18,900 feet, a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak rewards our efforts. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. After relishing this achievement, we descend directly to the Mweka Hut campsite, pausing at Barafu for lunch. The trail is rocky, demanding on the knees, and trekking poles prove valuable. Mweka Camp, situated in the upper forest, is often shrouded in mist or rain during the late afternoon. In the evening, we savor our final dinner on the mountain and enjoy a well-deserved 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 our last day, we continue our descent to Mweka Gate, where we collect our summit certificates. As we descend to lower elevations, the terrain can become wet and muddy. From the gate, we trek for an additional hour to reach Mweka Village. Here, a vehicle awaits to transport us back to our hotel in Moshi or Arusha, marking the conclusion of our remarkable Kilimanjaro journey.

Destination: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

Accommodation: Kilimanjaro White House Hotel

  budget 2 star lodge

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Drinking water