Full-moon & event summits 2026–2028 · join a group departure →
Trek Up Kilimanjaro
Climbers in single file on a forest trail

6 Days Umbwe Route

The steep southern challenge

6 days
Duration
5,895 m
Highest point
Umbwe
Route
camping
Accommodation
Umbwe Gate → Mweka Gate
Start / finish

Overview

Umbwe rises aggressively through the southern forest and onto a spectacular ridge before joining the Southern Circuit near Barranco. It is physically demanding and offers less early acclimatization time than longer routes; we position it for experienced, well-conditioned trekkers who understand high-altitude risk.

This trip is best for

  • Fit, experienced trekkers comfortable with steep terrain and a faster altitude profile. Not our default recommendation for first-time high-altitude climbers.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

6 Days Umbwe Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude
6 Days Umbwe Route elevation profile. Full data is given in the table below. 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m 6,000 m Umbwe Cave 2,850 Barranco Ca 3,900 Karanga Cam 3,995 Barafu Camp 4,673 Uhuru Peak 5,895 Mweka Camp 3,100
6 Days Umbwe Route elevation profile
Day Location Altitude (m) Distance (km) Overnight
1 Umbwe Gate 1,600 0 No
1 Umbwe Cave Camp 2,850 11 Yes
2 Barranco Camp 3,900 17 Yes
3 Karanga Camp 3,995 22 Yes
4 Barafu Camp 4,673 26 Yes
5 Uhuru Peak 5,895 34.5 No
5 Mweka Camp 3,100 43 Yes
6 Mweka Gate 1,640 53 No

Day by day

01

Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp

  • 1,600 m → 2,850 m
  • 11 km
  • 5–7 hrs
  • Rainforest
↑ 1,250 m gained
A steep, sustained climb through dense forest. Efficient pacing is essential from the first day.
From
Umbwe Gate
To
Umbwe Cave Camp
Sleeping altitude
2,850 m (9,350 ft)
Highest point
2,850 m
02

Umbwe Cave to Barranco Camp

  • 2,850 m → 3,900 m
  • 6 km
  • 4–6 hrs
  • Forest to moorland
↑ 1,050 m gained
Continue along the dramatic ridge as the forest opens, reaching Barranco beneath the Breach Wall.
From
Umbwe Cave
To
Barranco Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Highest point
3,900 m
03

Barranco to Karanga Camp

  • 3,900 m → 3,995 m
  • 5 km
  • 4–5 hrs
  • Alpine desert
↑ 95 m gained
Climb the Barranco Wall and traverse to Karanga. The shorter stage gives additional time for recovery.
From
Barranco
To
Karanga Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,995 m (13,107 ft)
Highest point
3,995 m
04

Karanga to Barafu Camp

  • 3,995 m → 4,673 m
  • 4 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • High alpine desert
↑ 678 m gained
Move to summit base camp, rest and complete final health and equipment checks.
From
Karanga
To
Barafu Camp
Sleeping altitude
4,673 m (15,331 ft)
Highest point
4,673 m
05

Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

  • 4,673 m → 3,100 m
  • 17 km
  • 12–16 hrs
  • Arctic summit to rainforest
↑ 1,222 m gained ↓ 2,795 m descended Sleeps 3,100 m
A midnight summit push via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, followed by a major descent to Mweka Camp.
From
Barafu
To
Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,100 m (10,171 ft)
Highest point
5,895 m
06

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

  • 3,100 m → 1,640 m
  • 10 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • Rainforest
Finish through the forest and return to Moshi after park formalities.
From
Mweka Camp
To
Mweka Gate
Sleeping altitude
1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Highest point
1,640 m

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

N Mawenzi Umbwe Gate1,600 m Umbwe Cave Camp2,850 m Barranco Camp3,900 m Karanga Camp3,995 m Barafu Camp4,673 m Uhuru Peak5,895 m Mweka Camp3,100 m Mweka Gate1,640 m
Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

What is and is not included

What is included

Transfers

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
  • Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

  • Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
  • Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Nutritious snacks during the trek
  • Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
  • Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

  • Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
  • Camping fees / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
  • All applicable government taxes & VAT
  • Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

  • Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
  • Emergency supplemental oxygen
  • Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
  • First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
  • Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
  • 24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

  • Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
  • Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
  • Professional mountain chef/cook
  • Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
  • All mountain crew wages and salaries
  • Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
  • Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek on camping routes

Camping equipment

  • Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
  • Comfortable sleeping mattresses
  • Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

  • Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
  • All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Tanzania entry visa
  • Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
  • Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
  • Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
  • Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
  • Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
  • Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
  • Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
  • Laundry services
  • Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
  • Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
  • Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
  • Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
  • Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
  • Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
  • Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

Dates and prices

Private climb prices by party size
Party size Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy. US$2,670
Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value. US$2,460
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate. US$2,250
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber. US$2,100

This climb runs on your dates

There is no fixed departure calendar for this itinerary — it runs as a private climb whenever suits you, which for most parties is the better arrangement anyway.

Ask about your dates

If you would rather join an existing group on a fixed date, our scheduled departures run on the Lemosho and Machame routes, each built around a full moon or an event summit.

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally
From

US$2,100

Plan this climb