- Lemosho Crater Route
- Lemosho Route
- Machame Route
- Rongai Route
- Northern Circuit Route with Crater
- Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route is the most physically taxing and least used up Mount Kilimanjaro. On the first two days you will have a steep uphill climb almost the whole way and breathtaking views off the ridges, all without the clutter of other climbers – sweet reward for the physical demands on your legs that the route makes. You eventually join trails with those coming from the Machame route and Lemosho route, and carry on up the Great Barranco Wall to Karanga Valley and Barafu Camp before your summit push to Uhuru Peak in the wee hours of the morning of your 5th day on the mountain.
per person, double occupancy (single supplement US $400)
• On days 1 and 2 enter a dense rain forest to a steep climb on a narrow ridge which follows the route used by all record-setting speed ascents.
• A challenging and exhilarating rock scramble up the Great Barranco Wall.
• From Barafu incredible views of Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro’s remnant volcanic cone.
• Satisfaction of an accomplishment few have achieved in the short timeframe.
| Day | Activity Location | Hiking Distance | Hiking Time | Elevation Start | Elevation Finish | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival. Mbahe Farm Cottages. | 6,000’ 1830m | ||||
| 2 | Village cultural walk, rest, climb preparation. Mbahe Farm Cottages. | 6,000’ 1830m | ||||
| 3 | Hiking day 1. Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp. | 6.8mi 11,0km | 5 hours | 5,450’ 1660m | 9,350’ 2850m | 3,900' 1190m |
| 4 | Hiking day 2. Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp. | 3.9mi 6,3km | 4 hours | 9,350’ 2850m | 13,070’ 3980m | 3,720' 1130m |
| 5 | Hiking day 3. Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp. | 3.3mi 5,3km | 4 hours | 13,070’ 3980m | 13,250’ 4040m | 180' 60m |
| 6 | Hiking day 4. Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp. | 2.4mi 3,9km | 4 hours | 13,250’ 4040m | 15,360’ 4680m | 2,110' 640m |
| 7 | Hiking day 5. Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp. | 3.0mi 4,9km - 5.3mi 8,5km | 6-7 hours to Uhuru - 4 hours to Millennium | 15,360’ 4680m - 19,340' 5895m | 19,340' 5895m - 12,530’ 3820m | 3,980' 1215m - -6,810' -2075m |
| 8 | Hiking day 6. Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate. Ameg Lodge or Pink Flamingo Hotel, Moshi Town. | 8.5mi 13,7km | 4 hours | 12,530’ 3820m | 5,380’ 1640m | -7,150' -2180m |
| 9 | Moshi Town tour. Departure. |
Your trip leader will pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to Mbahe Village, located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, approximately 2 hours from the airport. Accommodations are in SENE ’s private cottages at Simon Mtuy’s Mbahe Village farm.
Overnight: Mbahe Farm Cottages.
Meals: D.
Day 2: Mbahe Village, Kilimanjaro
You have the morning to rest and relax. Enjoy delicious “homebrew” coffee, grown and roasted on the farm, and meals made with fruits and vegetables from the garden. Your trip leader will provide a climb orientation and equipment check. This is also a day to take a guided tour around Mbahe Village, the Mtuy family farm, and to swim in the river and waterfall running through Simon’s land.
Overnight: Mbahe Farm Cottages.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 3: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
After breakfast and obtaining climb permits from the Marangu Gate nearby Mbahe, we drive to the Umbwe Gate, just a few kilometers west of Mbahe as the crow flies, but a two-hour drive by road off the mountain, through Moshi Town and back up the mountain. Here you will meet your other guides and mountain crew and enter the Kilimanjaro National Park. We begin our climb by walking through a stunning rainforest on a steep and rugged trail, using the many tree roots across the path as steps up the slope. Eventually, we reach a ridge and begin hiking along it before coming to the cave where our first night’s camp is located.
Overnight: Umbwe Cave Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 4: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
Another steep uphill climb along several ridges, including a rock scramble over Jiwe Kamba. We move from the forest, through a beautiful stretch of lichen-laden heather, and into the moorland zone, where you encounter the giant groundsels and senecios, two of the more unusual species of flora on Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Barranco Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Today we start by climbing the Great Barranco Wall – not too steep but still an exhilarating challenge – which our guides make safe and accessible for everyone by ascending pole pole (meaning “slowly” in Kiswahili). You will be able to see the remarkable Heim Glacier from the top of the Wall. Descend into the Karanga Valley and then climb again to our camp on a ridge above the Valley, where you will enjoy a well-deserved rest and your daily afternoon tea and snacks.
Overnight: Karanga Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
As we begin hiking today the trail turns steadily uphill. Temperatures are noticeably colder and the landscape more sparse as we work our way to Barafu camp. Barafu means “ice” in Kiswahili. Hiking time is 4 to 5 hours. The camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point for our push to the summit. After an early dinner, we have a summit briefing and prepare our equipment before resting.
Overnight: Barafu Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Rise at midnight for a warm and hearty early breakfast in preparation for the long day ahead. We ascend pole pole under the stars on the steep switchback trail, drinking plenty of water and refueling with small snacks, and enjoying the trek to Uhuru, the summit of Kilimanjaro, which we expect to reach shortly after daybreak. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, you will have spectacular views of Africa in all directions. After a brief stay for photos, hugs, and high fives, we descend 2 to 3 hours to Barafu Camp for lunch, rest, and to pick up belongings. Continuing downhill 3 to 4 hours to the edge of the Mweka Forest, we reach the final night’s camp – 7,000 feet below the summit! Eat, share your experiences of the climb, and sleep soundly. Congratulations, you touched the Roof of Africa!
Overnight: Millennium Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 8: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate; Moshi Town
Our last day is another descent of 7,000 feet with 4 to 5 hours of hiking to the exit at Mweka Gate. The trail is steep in places and within the forest may be slippery if wet. After a hearty celebration lunch with the whole team on private SENE land near the exit gate to say goodbye to the mountain crew, the trip leaders bring you to your hotel in Moshi Town to relax, have dinner, and enjoy its spacious garden and swimming pool. (Those going on safari tomorrow will overnight at a hotel in Arusha, closer to the wildlife parks.)
Meals: B,L,D.
Overnight: Chanya Lodge.
Day 9: Moshi Town
Those heading out on safari or to Zanzibar will depart after breakfast to continue your African adventure. For those returning home, we offer you a guided tour of Moshi Town with its colorful market and curio shops. You may eat lunch in town or back at the lodge (lunch not included). Transfer by SENE to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Meals: B.
- All accommodations for 9 days / 8 nights.
- All meals as indicated (B,L,D).
- On climb, filtered water (by Katadyn Expedition® filter) and coffee, teas, cocoa.
- Services of trip leader, climbing guides, and mountain crew.
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance, camping, and rescue fees.
- All camping and dining equipment (excluding sleeping bag and pad).
- Portable private toilet with bio-degradable waste system (Cleanwaste®) at all camps.
- Gamow bag (portable hyperbaric chamber) and supplemental oxygen for emergency descents.
- Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport and to/from park entrance/exit gates.
- Guided Mbahe Village walking tour.
- Guided Moshi Town walking tour.
