The UMBWE ROUTE probably the most hardest, the shortest and the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. A thoroughly tough uphill struggle liked by most mountaineers. As a reward for your Endeavour’s, however a clear day will provide you with views that many guides and porters insists are the best there are at Kilimanjaro.

Umbwe Gate 1800m- Umbwe Cave ,Bivouac Camp OR The First Camp 2940m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Distance: 8km
Habitat: Montane Forest

You shall drive from your hotel in Moshi to Machame Gate where you shall complete all your registration formalities and continue to Umbwe Gate. From Umbwe Gate you ascend through forestry track before it narrows and steepness to climb a ridge between Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. This is the steepest part of the entire trek. Eventually after hours of this exhausting exercise, and again in altitude of 1050 approximately, you reach a rocky overhang. This is Umbwe Cave (2940m) a popular first night campsite with plenty of water sources available.

Umbwe Cave-Bivouac camp 2940m – Barranco Hut 3860m .
Hiking Time – 6hours
Distance 6km
Habitat: Heather and Moorland

Roughly 45 minutes after breaking camp, you emerge from the forest gloom onto the heather, to be presented with two awesome sights. The breathtaking Breach Wall – all 1000m of it – and the glory of the Kibo summit. Sighting of Lammergeyer are quite common. F rom the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Camp. The Barranco Camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset. Finally the gradient eases and the day is spent ambling through moorland vegetation to the Barranco Hut Campsite nestling on your right time to enjoy your dinner and camp overnight

Karanga valley Campsite (4200m) – Barafu Camp (4600m)
Hiking Time: 3hours
Distance: 8km
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After Breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Valley campsite at (4200m), for the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views for the summit from many different angles. there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids Here you can, rest, enjoy dinner and go to bed for a few hours of your precious sleep..

Barafu Camp – (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3100m)
Hiking Time :– 8hrs to reach Uhuru Peak 7-8 hrs down to Mweka camp.
Distance:- 8km - 23km
Habitat:– Stone scree and ice capped summit

Early morning, you continue towards the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp at 3100m, is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected during the late afternoon. This part of the descent takes about 7 to8 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.

Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1500m)
Hiking Time: 3 -4hours
Distance: 15km
Habitat: Forest

After Breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.