6 Days Umbwe Route

DAY 1 | DRIVE TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK , UMBWE GATE, HIKE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP

Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route. Also you can see some wildlife, including Colobus monkeys.

Halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Bivouac Camp (2940m) in the late afternoon or early evening
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: LD
Budget Lodging: Umbwe Cave Camp

DAY 2 | UMBWE CAVE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

After breakfast, we will leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp. In the moorland you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. As you ascent, the trail provides a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The trail then flattens and descends into the Barranco Valley until you reach Barranco Camp. At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and the Great Barranco Wall in the East.
Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: BLD
Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp

DAY 3 | HIKE BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

DAY 4 | HIKE KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. South Circuit will be completed, this circuits offers views of the summit from many different angles.

Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: BLD
Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp

DAY 5 | HOROMBO HUT TO MANDARA HUT

After breakfast, a descent takes us down through Moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National park gate at Marangu. At lower elevation it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.

Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hr drive).

Elevation: 3700m/12200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B

DAY 6 | HIKE MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE, DRIVE TO MOSHI

After breakfast we continue the descent down 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 probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B