7-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Umbwe Route 

7 Days
From $2068
/ Adult
    • Unbeatable Value Assurance - ( Discover extraordinary adventures )
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Join one of our certified guides and trek to the top together. This route is fairly steep and includes some scrambling. Doing it over seven days helps us to acclimatize a bit better. However, if you don’t have much experience hiking or acclimatizing quickly, this is not the hike for you. If you do have the experience, this is pretty epic. There are much fewer people on this trail so you’ll get to experience solitude and peace on your way to the summit.
  • Budget Camping
  • Arusha
  • Arusha
  • As Described on Day by Day itineraries
  • Minimum age of 10 years
  • Can be customized
  • Can start any day
  • Private tour

Itinerary

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

At 8 am 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, (Umbwe Cave Campsite). 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.

2 hours
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 Senecio and lobelias. As Barranco is in a valley, the sun rises later than at the other camps.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget camping

This Campsite is Located right at the edge of the moorland vegetation zone of Mount Kilimanjaro near the beginning of the alpine desert, just a short distance away from the valley.

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

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget camping

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.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget camping

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.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget camping

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.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning after breakfast, you will be trekking down to Mweka gate. The trek is a pleasant one through the lower rain-forested slopes and down to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). Although you cover 9km / 5.5 miles, the trek only takes 3-4 hours. Assuming you successfully reach Stella Point or Uhuru Peak you will be presented with official certificates – a green certificate for the former and a gold certificate for the latter. It is customary to tip your trekking crew before being transported back to your hotel in Moshi.

A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

What is included in this package?

  • Porterage
  • Park fees
  • All activities
  • All accommodation
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals
  • Drinking water

What is Excluded in this package?

  • International flights
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips
  • Personal items
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Included and Excluded in Every Tour?

The inclusions and exclusions vary by tour. Each tour has its specific set of inclusions and exclusions. Please refer to the individual tour page to see what is specifically included in that tour.

How fit do I have to be

Many texts state that Kilimanjaro is “easily accessible”. However, you should not underestimate this mountain. There are no technical mountaineering skills required, but general fitness is necessary. However, the biggest problem for climbers is the effects of high altitude, which seem to be unrelated to fitness, age, or gender.

It is a good idea to start some physical training prior to the trek, which might include aerobic cross training and hiking to familiarise your body with the rigors of the trek. The fitter you are, the easier the climb will be for you. Determination and will power is another important factor.

Please use the main menu on the left to browse through our section “Resources>Health information for Kilimanjaro climbers”.

What luggage should I pack?

It is important to keep luggage to the barest minimum when on trek, as this will ease the burden of the drivers, vehicles and porters. Baggage should be of the round squashy type rather than hard suitcases that are difficult to fit into jeeps. Try to use something that is both lockable and waterproof as luggage can often end up sitting on the roof of the vehicle.It is a good idea to bring another smaller bag so that unwanted clothes can be kept in it at the hotel when you go on a trek. This also helps to keep city clothes clean and free from dust. You should also bring a small day pack which can be carried while hiking or riding or can be readily accessible when you are traveling in the vehicles on long drives.

On camping trips, all equipment will be provided except for a 4-season sleeping bag. You do not need to provide any other camping gear; only personal belongings. See our Kilimanjaro packing list and Safari packing list.

It should be noted that the luggage limit per person on domestic flights is 15-20 kg per person (checked-in and hand luggage).

On your inbound flight, don’t check in items that you absolutely need (such as medicines), as it is not uncommon that checked-in luggage gets misdirected and arrives in Tanzania a couple of days after you. It is better to have such items in your hand luggage.

preference, let us know, and we will offer alternatives from our vast network of company-owned and partner accommodations. Booking with us allows you to enjoy discounted rates as we have special agreements with our partners.

What route should I climb?

Around 80% of climbers choose the Marangu Route (5 or 6 days), which is commonly referred to as the “Tourist” or “Coca Cola” Route. The rest usually goes for the Umbwe, Rongai, or Machame Route (6 or 7 days). The other two routes (Shira and Lemosho) are far less frequented and therefore allow for a more remote and natural experience.

Please note that many of the routes meet on a mid-way point and there are only three routes to the summit.

Please see our route comparison table, read the descriptions of the routes, and ask us if you have any questions.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year.

January to March is a very good month with mild temperatures and almost no clouds in the morning and late afternoon. During the day, however, there might be few short rain showers or little snow on the summit. The main rainy season starts end of March and lasts until the end of May. For Kilimanjaro climbers, this means that clouds may block visibility and there might be heavy rains on the lower altitudes and snow on the summit. June, July, and August can be cold, but visibility is usually very good. Temperatures rise in September and October, however, during this time of the year, there is often a belt of mist on the middle altitudes, leaving the summit’s peak through the clouds. November and December usually have perfect visibility in the nights and morning, but short rains during the day and thunderstorms in the late afternoon are common.

For Kilimanjaro climbers, a factor to take into account is the full moon – it is a unique experience to climb the roof of Africa lit under the shining moonlight only without having to use headlights.

Where can I get a visa for Tanzania?

Where in Tanzania is Moshi/Kilimanjaro and how do I get there?

Who will be my guide?

Will I be able to speak to people in English in Tanzania?

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

We accept various payment methods, including card payments. For more information on acceptable payment methods, please visit our payment information page.

What If I Have Special Needs or Requirements?

We strive to cater to all requirements, such as providing wheelchair-friendly accommodation or rooms on the first floor if stairs are a challenge. Please communicate with us in advance about your needs.

Will I be able to speak to people in English in Tanzania?

The official and spoken languages of the country are Swahili and English. Many people have English as their second language as they were taught this at school. All Tanzanian working in the tourism field can communicate in English.
In the countryside, or when communicating with children, local women, or individuals of lower school education, it might, however, be difficult to speak in English.

It is appreciated by locals if travelers can speak some words in Swahili. A few words are surprisingly easy to master. It is a good idea to spend a few dollars to purchase a Swahili phrasebook.

What About My Special Diet and Food Preferences?

We cater to all diets, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, among others. Please inform us in advance about your dietary preferences.

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7-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Umbwe Route 

Godson Silas David

Tour Guide

Call an expert!

With over 20 years of experience as a professional safari guide, Godson Silas David combines unparalleled expertise with a deep love for nature. His passion for wildlife and dedication to creating unforgettable experiences make him a trusted companion for every safari adventure.

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