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Moshi · Kilimanjaro Region · Tanzania
6-Day Private Guided Hiking Tour To Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
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From $2,709.53 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Embark on the most challenging and exhilarating trek to Mount Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak with the 6-Day Umbwe Route. Known for its steep ascent and direct path to the summit, the Umbwe Route is perfect for experienced trekkers seeking a faster, less crowded, and adventurous climb. This demanding route offers spectacular views and a rewarding journey through diverse ecosystems, from rainforests to alpine deserts. If you’re looking for a thrilling, high-adrenaline path to conquer Africa's highest peak, the Umbwe Route is the ultimate Kilimanjaro adventure.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Tackle Kilimanjaro’s steepest, most challenging Umbwe Route
- Perfect for experienced trekkers seeking serious adventure
- Enjoy a fast, direct path to Uhuru Peak
- Fewer crowds, more solitude on this daring ascent
- Trek through rainforests, moorlands, and alpine desert zones
- Spectacular views reward every step of the climb
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
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Umbwe Gate (1,800m) to Bivouac Camp (2,900m). After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Umbwe Gate. Here you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch.
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Eco Tour. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest.
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Hiking. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys.
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Camping. About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Bivouac Camp (2940m) in the late afternoon or early evening.
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Camping. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared.
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Overnight at Bivouac Camp.
Day 2
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Eco Tour. Bivouac Camp (2940m) – Barranco Camp (3950m). Hiking time: 6 hours Habitat: Moorland After early morning breakfast, you will start your ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel.
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Sightseeing at Mount Kilimanjaro. As you ascend, the trail provides a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The trail then flattens then descends into the Barranco Valley until you reach Barranco Camp.
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Camping. At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and the Great Barranco Wall in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
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Overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 3
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Hiking. Barranco Camp (3950m) – Lava Tower (4630m) – Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m). Habitat: Moorland/Semi-desert. Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi-desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of hiking east, you will come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m).
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Rock Climbing. Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects of the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
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Sightseeing. After eating lunch at Lava Tower, hikers will scramble up the steep Class 2 trail to the Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m). Vegetation at Arrow Glacier is sparse and hikers are surrounded by stone scree. Snacks, dinner, and washing water will be provided, as hikers stay warm in their tents at this camp.
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Overnight at Arrow Glacier Camp.
Day 4
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Hiking. Arrow Glacier (4800m) – Crater (5700m) Hiking time: 5 hours Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped glacier. After early morning breakfast, hikers will continue to scramble up the Class 2 trail on rocks. During the rain season, an ice axe and crampons are required due to icy conditions. Hikers slowly ascend up the Western Breach to the Crater (5700m).
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Sightseeing at Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon reaching the top of the crater, you will be amazed by the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier directly in front of you. At the campsite, you have the option of completing a day hike to the infamous Ash Pit (1.5 hours) of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The ash pit is 340m across and 120m deep.
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After hiking, you will enjoy a warm dinner and be one of the few and fortunate hikers to stay at the inner, snow-covered crater of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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Overnight at the Crater.
Day 5
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Rock Climbing. Summit Attempt. Crater (5700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m) Hiking time: 2 hours to Uhuru and 7-8 hours to Mweka Distance: Approximately 7-kilometer ascent and 23-kilometer descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit. Your guide will take you around 0400 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb.
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Hiking. For about 2 hours, you will hike on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime.
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Relaxation & Fun. You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.
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Eco Tour. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
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Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 6
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Leisure. Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m) Hiking time: 3 hours Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers Habitat: Forest Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters.
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Eco Tour. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
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Relaxation & Fun. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
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Overnight at Your Hotel in Moshi or Arusha or depart for the Airport.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
All Fees and Taxes Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi and Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport Hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summit aid) and the Basic first aid kit Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook & Their Wages Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress) Fresh Water for drinking & Hot water for a wash daily
Not Included
Visas & Flights Travel & Health Insurances Gratuities Personal hiking/trekking gear–you opt to rent the gears from equipment stores in Moshi Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet Personal medicine and water purifying tablets + Meals & drinks not specified and snacks Items of Personal Nature
What to Bring
Passport required
Restrictions
Not stroller accessible Not suitable for pets No public transportation nearby Infants must not sit on laps Infant seats are unavailable Not recommended for pregnant travelers Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Meeting & Pickup
Moshi Urban - Moshi Urban, Kilimanjaro Region.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 1 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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