Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking - Umbwe Route

7 Days | 6 Nights - Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

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 fewer crowds this is a good choice. The at Umbwe gate and ascending via Stella Point. Note that it joins the Machame route at Barranco valley, and hence has similar levels of people on trail as the Machame route thereon. There is a night time ascent to the summit and descent is via Mweka camp.

Day-by-day Itinerary

08h00: After breakfast leave the hotel for the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Londorossi Park Gate for entry registration then start trekking through the forest to Simba camp for overnight. 19h00: Dinner and retire for the day at Simba campsite.

08h00: Trek across several streams in the heather zone of the mountain and cross the Shira Ridge on to the Shira Plateau where we camp for the night. 12h30: Have lunch at the camp. 14h00: The afternoon will be used for walks on the plateau up to Shira hut (12,470ft/3800m) which helps climbers to acclimatize. 19h00: Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 plateau camp.

08h00: This day’s trek is a gentle one across the plateau and through the heather moorland zone. 12h30: Have hot lunch at Scott Fisher’s camp. 14h00: Afternoon trek further up to Moir camp. 19h00: Dinner and overnight at Moir camp.

08h00: Head eastward to a junction where we continue to Lava Tower Campsite (14,760ft/4500m), then descend to Barranco camp thus allowing your body to adjust to altitude change. 12h30: Have packed lunch at a picnic site along the trail. 19h00: Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp.

08h00: After breakfast, hike across the Karanga Valley and ascend to Barafu campsite. 13h00: Picnic lunch along the trail.17h00: Have dinner and take the day’s rest ready for the hike to the summit.Note: An extra day for acclimatization can be added by staying overnight at Karanga camp then proceed to Barafu camp the next day.

00h00: Have a cup of coffee/tea and start the midnight trek to the summit via Stella Point. 06h00: Reach the summit, Uhuru peak, have a short period of photo taking then descend to Barafu camp for breakfast/Brunch and a little rest. 12h00: Continue down to Mweka hut for the days and night’s rest.