7 Days Hiking Kilimanjaro’s Umbwe Route

Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Country

The Umbwe Route is a lesser-known trail that deserves attention. Once considered a difficult path, it is indeed steeper during the first two days but remains accessible to many hikers. Starting from the southern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, it merges with the Lemosho and Machame routes on the third day, just before the Barranco Wall. One notable feature of the Umbwe Route is the solitude you’ll experience during the first two days, as you’ll rarely encounter other trekkers.

The route is available in 6- or 7-day itineraries, with the 7-day option being recommended for beginners without prior acclimatization. This scenic trail offers some of the best views on Kilimanjaro, takes you through all of the mountain’s climatic zones, and allows you to observe its unique flora and fauna.

Day 1 | Umbwe Gate to Cave Bivouac Camp

At 8am, leave Moshi for Umbwe Gate, where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next six days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. After arriving, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day’s destination is Cave Bivouac Camp, approximately 6 hours from the gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery in some places. Hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin later in the hike, and heathers, tall grasses, and wildflowers will come into view. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival.

Elevation: 1,800m/5,905ft to 2,850m/9,350ft
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: ~11 km
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (steep and slippery in places)
Habitat: Cloud forest, moss-covered trees, heathers, tall grasses, wildflowers

Day 2 | Cave Bivouac to Barranco Camp

The first section of the trail continues following the ridge. After leaving the forest, continue through open moorlands until reaching Barranco Camp. Barranco is generally regarded as the most scenic campsite on the Umbwe Trail as it’s surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.

Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft to 3,950m/12,960ft
Hiking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Distance: ~8 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Habitat: Moorland, giant senecios, lobelias

Day 3 | Barranco Camp (Acclimatization Day)

Extra day for acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort and amplify your acclimatization.

Elevation: 3,900m/12,800ft
Hiking Time: N/A (Rest and Acclimatization)
Distance: N/A
Difficulty: N/A
Habitat: Moorland

Day 4 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5-hour scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day, and in some places, you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the green Karanga River Valley.

Elevation: 3,950m/12,960ft to 4,200m/13,780ft
Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Distance: ~5 km
Difficulty: Moderate (scramble up Barranco Wall)
Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert

Day 5 | Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During the hike, pass by the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep after finishing dinner as you will wake before midnight for your summit hike.

Elevation: 4,200m/13,780ft to 4,600m/15,100ft
Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Distance: ~4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 6 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Hike by the light of your headlamp for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point. The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds, and glaciers. At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.

Elevation: 4,600m/15,100ft to 5,895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3,100m/10,170ft (Mweka Camp)
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours to Uhuru Peak, then 3-5 hours to Mweka Camp
Distance: ~18 km total
Difficulty: Very Difficult (steep ascent to summit)
Habitat: Arctic summit zone, then descent through alpine desert to moorland

Day 7 | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

After breakfast, finish the trek with a hike through the forest to Mweka Gate. The trail may be slippery following rain. Our vehicles will meet you at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.

Elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft to 1,500m/4,920ft
Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Distance: ~10 km
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (downhill)
Habitat: Forest

Day 8 | Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi or Arusha town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport.

Safari, Cycling Adventures and other add-on are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania