Umbwe Route

Your guide and mountain support staff will arrive at your hotel in the morning to meet you and give a briefing after which you will be driven to the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park: Umbwe Gate (1640m). After registering with an mountaineering permit and search and rescue service the group will begin the trek to your first campsite: Umbwe Camp (2930m).

This will be a long day of hiking with lots of elevation gain so dont rush it. Its important to find the right pace for your group and stick to it for the rest of the trip. You should also remember to bring a raincoat: the route involves walking through rainforests where tropical rain is likely.

When you arrive at the camp our professional mountain staff will prepare everything necessary set up your tent and prepare dinner for you. This will be your first day at altitude so from this moment on it is recommended that you pay attention to the following instructions:

• Drink no more than 4 liters of bottled water per day (small amounts several times).
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Take a Diamox tablets to help with symptoms of altitude sickness.

Most climbers take Diamox in the morning before starting their climb to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend that you consult your doctor before traveling to rule out possible allergies.

At night you may feel uncomfortable with high altitude acclimatization: your body receives less oxygen than during the day because the breathing pattern is reduced during the waking hours. You may feel uncomfortable due to altitude and may get headache. Pay attention to your body and let your guide know if you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Change in Elevation:

• Umbwe Gate (1,640 m)
• Umbwe Camp (2,930 m)
• Hiking distance: 11 km
• Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours

Wake up early for breakfast then start trekking to Barranco Camp. The rainforest will soon give way to the jungle and if the weather is not too cloudy you will be able to see Mount Meru for the first time. Umbwe route is of medium length and by lunchtime you will reach Barranco Camp (3960m) in a huge volcanic fault. Lunch is served here and you have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day which makes the acclimatization process much easier.

Change in Elevation:

• Umbwe Camp (2,930 m)
• Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
• Hiking distance: 6 km
• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

Wake up early have breakfast and start climbing the barranco walls. (We recommend leaving camp as early as possible to avoid crowds from other groups.) Climbing up the canyon walls is not difficult and only takes about an hour. After climbing you can rest and take photos in front of Kibo Volcano.

We begin the more difficult climb to Karanga camp with many ups and downs along the way. But dont worry. Our guides are experts in their field. Choose the right pace for your group. A hot meal is provided upon arrival at the camp. After a few hours you will reach back to the camp completing the 200 meter climb towards Barapu Camp.

Note: The acclimatization hike is a gentle hike with slight elevation gains to speed up the acclimatization process. You have to take climbing very seriously. It increases your chances of successfully reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro and protects you from altitude sickness. Trek from Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp.

Change in Elevation:

• Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
• Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
• Hiking distance: 5 km
• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
• Acclimatization hike

Change in Elevation:

• Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
• Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m)
• Hiking distance: 2.5 km
• Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours

After breakfast the trek begins towards Parafu Summit Camp (4640 m) which is the starting point for the evening at Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Our team will set up camp for you in advance with tents and sleeping bags so you can relax. After regaining your strength you will complete the acclimatization climb to the intermediate level Kosovo Peak Camp (4800m) and then return to Baravu Camp where you can enjoy a hot dinner. It is best to rest and sleep for the rest of the day before reaching the summit at night.

Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.

Change in Elevation:

• Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
• Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
• Hiking distance: 6 km
• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

Change in Elevation:

• Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
• Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
• Hiking distance: 2 km
• Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours

Depart Barafu Camp (4640m) overnight and begin your ascent to Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5895m). The climb is technically very easy. But the best part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers has a personal guide throughout the climb to monitor their physical and mental condition. After successfully climbing the Uhuru peak you can descend into the nearby glacier if you wish. Then return to Barafu Camp. After a 2-hour rest we continue our descent to Millennium Camp (3820m).

Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Take care of your feet as there is a risk of damaging your nails.

Change in Elevation:

• Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
• Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
• Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
• Hiking distance: 15 km
• Hiking time: 8 to 12 hours

The camp is located in the rainforest. When you wake up you will feel the relief of having lost altitude and the satisfaction of having reached the top. After a hot breakfast proceed to the park exit at Mweka Gate (1650m). After the descent the whole group gets together to celebrate and we give you the opportunity to share your thoughts about the climb through our guest book. Finally our office will give you a commemorative certificate and take you to your hotel.

Change in Elevation:

• Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
• Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
• Hiking distance: 12 km
• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours