Umbwe Route in 6 Days

On the second day of the trek, we traverse rougher terrain characterized by scattered vegetation and scattered, moss-draped trees. As we ascend, occasional views of Kilimanjaro emerge. The trail levels out as we near Barranco Valley. Descending from the Umbwe ridge, we enter Barranco Camp via the peculiar yet stunning Senecio Forest.

Overnight: Barranco Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Our day starts with a descent into a ravine towards the foot of the Great Barranco Wall. Subsequently, we ascend the nearly 900-ft cliff, which, though non-technical, is steep. After conquering the Barranco Wall, we traverse a sequence of hills and valleys until we sharply descend into Karanga Valley. Another steep ascent brings us to Karanga Camp. Designed for acclimatization, this is a shorter day's journey.

Overnight: Karanga Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Departing from Karanga, we reach the intersection linking to the Mweka Trail. Proceeding onwards, we ascend through the rocky terrain toward Barafu Hut. Upon reaching this juncture, you've traversed the Southern Circuit, providing panoramic views of the summit from various perspectives. Here, we establish camp, rejuvenate, and partake in an early dinner in readiness for summit day. The towering peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this vantage point.

Overnight: Barafu Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

In the wee hours of the morning, just around midnight, our journey to the summit commences. This leg of the trek proves to be the ultimate test, both mentally and physically. The biting wind and piercing cold at this altitude and hour can be formidable. We steadily climb through the darkness, pausing briefly for short breaks along the way. As we near Stella Point (18,900 ft), a breathtaking sunrise unfolds, casting its brilliance over Mawenzi Peak.

Our destination, Uhuru Peak, awaits us - the pinnacle of Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa itself. From the summit, we embark on our descent, heading straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, with a pit stop at Barafu for lunch. The path is strewn with rocks and can be taxing on the knees, making trekking poles invaluable. Nestled in the upper forest, Mweka Camp often sees mist or rain in the late afternoon. As evening falls, we savor our final dinner on the mountain before retiring for a well-deserved rest.

Overnight: Mweka Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

On our final day, we proceed with the descent towards Mweka Gate to retrieve our summit certificates. As we descend to lower elevations, the terrain may become wet and muddy. Upon reaching the gate, we trek for another hour to reach Mweka Village. A vehicle will be waiting for us at Mweka Village to transport us back to the hotel in Moshi | Arusha.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included