The Umbwe Route is one of the shortest and most challenging routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It's known for its steep and demanding trails, offering a more remote and less crowded experience. The Umbwe Route is a challenging and steep route that requires excellent physical fitness and prior high-altitude trekking experience. It's crucial to ensure proper acclimatization and consult with a reputable tour operator for a safe and successful climb.
Day 0
Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a dreamscape Travel representative, and transfer you to Moshi town
where you will spend the first night at the hotel.
- Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
- Accommodation: Hotel
Day 1
Umbwe Gate (1,640m/5,380ft) to Umbwe Camp (2,940m/9,646ft)
Activity: Your Kilimanjaro adventure starts at Umbwe Gate, and the trail immediately begins to ascend steeply through dense rainforest.
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Distance: Approximately 11km
- Elevation Gain: 1,300m (4,266ft)
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2
Umbwe Camp (2,940m/9,646ft) to Barranco Camp (3,960m/13,000ft) via Barranco Wall
Activity: You'll ascend through the moorland zone, gaining elevation steadily. The highlight of the day is climbing the Barranco Wall, a challenging but exhilarating rock scramble.
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Distance: Approximately 6km
- Elevation Gain: 1,020m (3,346ft)
- Habitat: Moorland
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Barranco Camp (3,960m/13,000ft) to Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,254ft)
Activity: Today's hike takes you through the Karanga Valley, which offers fantastic views of the Southern Icefield and the Heim Glacier.
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: Approximately 5km
- Elevation Gain: 75m (246ft)
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,254ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091ft)
Activity: You'll continue ascending to Barafu Camp, your base for the summit attempt. The landscape becomes more barren as you approach the arctic zone.
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: Approximately 4km
- Elevation Gain: 565m (1,855ft)
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,171ft)
Activity: Summit Day! You'll start your ascent to Uhuru Peak very early in the midnight to reach the summit at sunrise. Descend to Mweka Camp for the night.
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours to the summit, then 4-6 hours descent
- Distance: Approximately 5km to the summit, 12km descent
- Elevation Gain: 1,295m (4,249ft) ascent, 2,795m (9,170ft) descent
- Habitat: Arctic (summit), Moorland (Mweka Camp)
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,171ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft)
Activity: Your final descent takes you through the rainforest zone back to Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificates. Transfer to your hotel.
- Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: Approximately 10km
- Elevation Loss: 1,460m (4,790ft)
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Accommodation: Hotel
Departure
After a much-needed nights rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
- Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Trekking Cost:
- 1Pax: $1,700 pp
- 2Pax: $1,670 pp
- 3Pax: $1,600 pp
- 4Pax: $1,540 pp
- 5Pax: $1,490 pp
- 6Pax: $1,440 pp
- 7Pax & Above: $1,400 pp
NOTE: Additional day on mountain costs extra of $300/person
Price includes:
- Transportation from & to Kilimanjaro international airport
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Camping and kitchen facilities
- Wages of professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, crew fees and all government tax
- Warm water for washing every day
- English speaking mountain guide and assistant.
- All meals while on the mountain
- First Aid Kit includes Oxygen Kit
- 2 nights at the hotel (accommodations); one before and after the trek
Price excludes:
- Tips
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Any private expenses
- Personal gear rentals
- Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Optional tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
- Local and international flights
- A doctor for the group