The steep, wild Umbwe route with an extra acclimatisation day at Barranco, for a better chance of reaching the summit.
Umbwe is the shortest and steepest route on Kilimanjaro. It climbs a narrow ridge through dense rainforest, then joins the southern circuit at Barranco for the Barranco Wall, Karanga and Barafu.
The 7-day version adds an acclimatisation day at Barranco, a walk up towards Lava Tower and back, which makes up for the fast start and gives you a better chance on summit night. A hotel night before and after the climb is included.
From Umbwe Gate, the trail climbs steeply along a narrow ridge through dense rainforest, with tree roots as steps. A hard first day on the quietest route on the mountain. About 11 km, 5–7 hours.
Continue up the ridge, now through giant heather with steep drops on both sides, to the Barranco Valley beneath the Western Breach. About 6 km, 4–5 hours.
After two steep days, this day helps your body catch up. Walk up towards Lava Tower for a few hours, then come back down to sleep at Barranco Camp again. About 6 km, 4–5 hours.
Start the day on the Barranco Wall, a short hands-on scramble that looks harder than it is: your guides show you every step. Then follow the ridges and valleys below the southern glaciers to Karanga Camp, with a quiet afternoon to rest. About 5 km, 4–5 hours.
A short climb over rocky ground to Barafu, the base camp for the summit. Arrive by lunchtime, check your gear with your guide, have an early dinner and sleep for a few hours before the summit attempt. About 4 km, 3–4 hours.
Wake around 11 pm for tea and biscuits and start climbing by headlamp at midnight. After 6–7 hours you reach Stella Point on the crater rim as the sun rises, then walk about an hour more to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa. After photos at the summit sign, walk down to Barafu for a rest and a meal, then on to Mweka Camp. About 17 km, 12–15 hours.
An easy walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and say goodbye to your crew. We drive you back to your hotel for a hot shower and a celebration. About 10 km, 3–4 hours.
Two people share a four-season mountain tent with sleeping mats. Your crew carries and sets up camp, and you eat in a mess tent with a table and chairs. Hot water for washing is brought to your tent each morning and evening.
Per person, it costs $2,100 for 1 person, $1,700 each for 2–4 people, $1,695 each for 5–7 people and $1,600 each for 8 or more people. The final price depends on your travel dates, so ask us for an exact quote.
2 nights in a hotel in Arusha or Moshi, before and after the climb, All nights on the mountain, with tents and camping equipment, Professional, experienced mountain guides, Guides', porters' and cook's salaries, All park fees and rescue fees, All meals on the mountain: large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food, Clean, purified drinking water, Arrival and departure transfers and Fair and ethical treatment of porters.
International flights, Tanzania visa fees, Travel insurance that covers trekking up to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation, Tips for your guides, cook and porters, Personal climbing gear (sleeping bags, poles and warm jackets can be rented) and Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses.
January to mid-March and June to October, the driest months. Climbs run all year.
It starts and ends in Moshi or Arusha.
Yes. Every itinerary can be adjusted to your pace and interests: add a night, swap a lodge, or combine it with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar. Just ask.
Kilimanjaro's most popular route, with the extra night that gives you a much better chance of reaching the summit: rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall.
The scenic western Lemosho route in seven days: quiet rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall.
The only route from the north: drier, quieter and gentler, with a night by the lake beneath Mawenzi's peaks.
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