This 7 day version of the Umbwe Route includes an acclimatisation day at Barranco where guests can walk up and visit Arrow Glacier before heading back to Barranco Camp. Generally recommended for more fit and adventurous types, this route is very steep in the first 2 days. For those that want more of a challenge with less crowds this is a good choice.

7 DAYS UMBWE PROGRAM

Arrival
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
DAY 1: HOTEL – UMBWE CAVES
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. Your first stop is atMachame Gate to collect your permits before getting back in your vehicle and driving to Umbwe Gate. After checking in you set off up through the forest zone. The first day hiking is not overly difficult but certainly steepens towards the latter end of the day. In the late afternoon you arrive in the first camp in time for dinner.
START – 5,906FT / 1800M
END – 9,351FT / 2850M
DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

DAY 2 – BARRANCO CAMP
The second day ascends from the forest zone into the heath zone and there are some very steep sections here. Taking it easy is essential to allow your body to acclimatise. A picnic lunch is taken on route. Later that afternoon you arrive into Barranco Camp in time to relax for a while before dinner. The views of the Barranco wall and Western breach pertain to events some 60,000 years ago when this whole part of the mountain collapsed.
START – 9,351FT / 2850M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 6KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH

DAY 3 – BARRANCO CAMP (ACCLIMATISATION DAY)
This day is used as an acclimatisation day but has the option to walk up the Barranco Valley, walking against the direction of all the other hikers, to Lava Tower, then heading back to Barranco Camp for hot lunch, dinner and Overnight .
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 5 MILES / 8KM
TIME – 6-8HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – HEATH / ALPINE DESERT

DAY 4 – KARANGA CAMP
From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to summit in.
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 13,108FT / 3995M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 6KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

DAY 5 – BARAFU CAMP
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the remainder of the evening.
START – 13,108 / 3,995M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

DAY 6 - KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.
START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH

DAY 7 – BACK TO HOTEL
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Summits Africa Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

MAP OF UMBWE ROUTE