Mount Kilimanjaro: The Roof of Africa by the Umbwe Route

• Expedition Type [ Mountain Trekking ]
• Difficulty [ Strenuous ]
• Activities [ Camping, Hiking, Rock Climbing ]
• Duration [ 7 Days ]

Expedition Timeline

Ascend Africa's highest peak via the Umbwe Route, one of the mountain's most challenging route. As you make your way up this breathtaking direct route to the summit, marvel at landscapes that shift from montane forests to alpine desert to icy summit. This strenuous Kilimanjaro trek is best suited for strong and serious climbers with experience in high altitudes. Your efforts on this ultra-steep climb - completed in a mere six days - yield handsome rewards: Not only do witness some of the most dramatic views on the continent, but you do so in near privacy, with few trekkers crossing your path.

Day 1

Arrive Arusha, Tanzania

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you are met by an A&K representative and transferred to your hotel.

Rivertrees Country Inn

DAY 2

Arusha/Umbwe Caves

After breakfast this morning, collect your permits at the Machame gate. Continue to the Umbwe gate where, after checking in, you set off through the forest zone. The first day of hiking is not overly difficult, but certainly steepens toward the end. In the late afternoon, arrive in the first camp for dinner.
Hiking Time: 6 hours (Road to Trailhead, 3 hours; Trailhead to Umbwe Caves, 3 hours)

Umbwe Caves Camp [ B L D ]

DAY 3

Umbwe Caves/Barranco Camp

Start your ascent from the forest zone, encountering very steep sections. Taking it easy is essential to allow your body to acclimatize. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route, and arrive into Barranco Camp in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to take in the changed scenery and relax before dinner.
Hiking Time: 6 hours (Umbwe Caves to Lunch Point, 4 hours; Lunch Point to Barranco, 2 hours)

Barranco Camp [ B L D ]

DAY 4

Barranco Camp/Karanga Camp

From Barranco Camp, famous for the giant groundsels that grow nearby, ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking; you eat lunch at Karanga Camp. In the afternoon, take a walk with your guides for stunning views of the Southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.
4 hours (Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp)

Karanga Camp [ B L D ]

DAY 5

Karanga Camp/Barafu Camp

Today is another half day of ascent to Barafu Camp. Once again, you arrive at the next camp in time for lunch, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid the following day. Desolate alpine desert and occasional strong winds rip over this camp, and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the mesmerizing norm. Enjoy a relatively early dinner before heading to rest for the evening for your early morning call.
Hiking Time: 3 hours (Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp)

Barafu Camp [ B L D ]

DAY 6

Barafu Camp/Mount Kilimanjaro/Mweka Camp

Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit by dawn, as the first rays of light start to appear. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, 19,325 feet above sea level. After savoring your successful ascent to the Roof of Africa, descend to Mweka Camp.
Hiking Time: 14 hours (Barafu Camp to Mount Kilimanjaro Summit, 7 hours; Summit to Barafu Camp, 3 hours; Barafu to Millennium Camp, 2 Hours; Millennium Camp to Mweka Camp, 2 Hours)

Mweka Camp [ B L D ]

DAY 7

Mweka Camp/Mweka Gate/Depart Arusha

After breakfast, descend once again through montane forest. Around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, meet your A&K driver/guide and transfer to Rivertrees Country Inn for lunch. A dayroom is available after lunch. Later, transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Hiking Time: 3 hours (Mweka Camp to Main Mweka Gate)

[ B L ]

I stood at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, breathing the thin air of a crystal blue sky. Below me stretched the flat plain of Tanzania, almost overwhelming in its vastness. I looked in vain for the tiny spot, thousands of feet down, where our climb had begun.

Departure Dates & Pricing

Prices are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy. Alternate Departure Dates can be arranged. Prices are subject to change.