Kilimanjaro & treks
Arusha, Umbwe Gate, Umbwe Camp, Barranco, Barranco Wall, Karanga, Barafu, Uhuru Peak, Mweka
your journey
Umbwe is one of Kilimanjaro's steepest and most direct routes. From the gate on the southern slopes you walk through villages, coffee farms and banana plantations, then climb hard up a narrow forest ridge between two river valleys. By the second afternoon you are at Barranco, where Umbwe joins the Southern Circuit.
From there the climb follows the classic line over the Barranco Wall to Karanga and Barafu, with views of the glaciers, valleys and surrounding peaks, before a midnight start for Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). You descend via the Mweka route. The trail is quiet, but the height gain is fast and there is less time to acclimatise than on longer routes.
Umbwe is a camping route: you sleep in tents at the mountain camps, and our guide, crew and porters look after camp and meals.
Fit walkers with previous hiking experience who want a demanding, quieter route and are comfortable on steep ground. If this is your first time at altitude, a longer itinerary with more acclimatisation may suit you better.
Parks visited
Mount Kilimanjaro
what makes it special
day by day
After breakfast we drive you from Arusha to Umbwe Gate. After registration you walk through villages, coffee farms and banana plantations before entering the forest. The trail then climbs steeply through dense rainforest along a narrow ridge between two river valleys, and grows more demanding as you gain height. You arrive at Umbwe Camp for dinner and the night. From about 1,600 m to 2,900 m, about 11 km, 5–7 hours.
The rainforest gives way to heath and moorland as you keep climbing. The trail becomes rockier and the landscape opens up, giving you your first big views of Kilimanjaro's upper slopes. You continue towards the Barranco Valley and drop slightly into Barranco Camp, surrounded by the scenery of the Southern Circuit, for dinner and the night. From about 2,900 m to 3,960 m, about 6 km, 4–5 hours.
The day begins by dropping into a ravine to the foot of the Barranco Wall. You climb the wall with help from your mountain crew; it is steep, but it is a trekking route, not a rock climb. From the top you cross a series of valleys and ridges, descend into the Karanga Valley and climb up to Karanga Camp. The short distance gives you more time to acclimatise. From about 3,960 m to 4,035 m, about 5 km, 4–5 hours.
After breakfast you climb on towards Barafu Camp as the landscape turns rocky and barren in the high alpine zone. Barafu is the last base before the summit, with the summit area of Kibo above you and, depending on conditions, views towards Mawenzi Peak. Once in camp, rest and prepare your equipment. An early dinner and sleep are important before the midnight start. From about 4,035 m to 4,673 m, about 4 km, 4–5 hours.
Around midnight, after a light snack, you start the slow climb to Stella Point on the crater rim. Altitude, cold, darkness and steep ground make this the hardest part of the climb. From Stella Point you follow the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After time at the top you descend to Barafu for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp for dinner. About 5 km up in 7–8 hours, then 12 km down in 4–6 hours.
After breakfast you walk down through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, watching for monkeys in the trees. At the gate your guide completes the park formalities, and you continue on foot to Mweka village, where our vehicle meets you for the drive back to Arusha. Your six-day Umbwe climb ends on arrival in Arusha, with time for a hot shower and a well-earned celebration. About 10 km, 3–4 hours.
the price
Price on request
before you ask
Kilimanjaro needs no ropes or technical climbing skills, but it is a serious high-altitude trek. You walk for several hours a day on uneven ground, nights are cold, and summit night starts around midnight in thin air. Walking regularly on hills before you come, with a loaded daypack, is the best preparation.
We choose routes and itineraries with enough days on the mountain, and we follow the principle of climbing high and sleeping low. On the Machame route, for example, you take short walks above camp at Shira, Lava Tower, Karanga and Barafu before returning to sleep lower. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide straight away about any headache, nausea or dizziness.
Many climbers use acetazolamide (Diamox) to help with acclimatisation, but it is a prescription medicine and not right for everyone. Talk to your own doctor before the trip, especially about allergies and side effects, and tell your guide if you are taking it.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the driest months are mid-January to mid-March and late June to October, which are also the busiest. The long rains from late March to early June bring wet trails and cloud, and we generally advise against climbing then unless you are experienced in those conditions. November brings short rains, often in the afternoon.
On our Kilimanjaro packages with hotel nights, you stay at our partner hotel, Weru Weru River Lodge near Moshi, or a similar hotel, on the night before and the night after the climb. Your guide holds the pre-climb briefing and gear check there.
You need good broken-in hiking boots, warm layers including a down jacket, waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, a warm hat, a headtorch and a daypack. Tents, mats and all group and cooking equipment are provided. Your specialist will confirm what can be rented locally, including sleeping bags, and send you a full packing list.
Via the Mweka route: from the summit back to Barafu, down to Mweka Camp for the night, then through the forest to Mweka Gate. You see a different side of the mountain on the way down.
Enquire
Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.
Your journey
Price on request
6 days · 5 nights
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Call us on +255 784 281316, email sales@aaaexpressadventure.com or send an enquiry. Our team in Arusha will get back to you.
Price on request
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Enquiry about: 6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Umbwe Route
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