KILIMANJARO - UMBWE ROUTE
UMBWE - 10 Days
Though the Umbwe Route may be the shortest path up Kilimanjaro (just 27.9-miles/45-km gate to gate), it’s not short on adventure. Your unforgettable 10-day climb starts in villages through banana and coffee plantations. It follows the winding trail up through the rain-forest and tests your will on the Barranco Wall.
Take a full day to acclimatize to the higher altitudes before you sunrise summit to Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m). The warm daylight and majestic views create a more enjoyable hike up the mountain’s steepest and most demanding path.
ROUTE STATS
-
-
-
- Distance: 27.9-miles or 45-km gate to gate.
- Duration: 10 days total, 7 days climbing gate to gate
-
-
- Daily trekking time: 4 to 10 hours (12-14 summit day)
- Tusker's Umbwe route success rate: 95%
DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1 - MOSHI
3,000-ft/914-m
The flight to Kilimanjaro sets your heart racing with anticipation. After your arrival, as you pass through immigration, your driver whisks you away to the Bristol Cottages Hotel in Moshi, your base for the next two nights. Here, you'll recharge your batteries and focus on the ultimate challenge ahead. As you settle into your comfortable room, the prospect of the climb fills you with excitement.
A sumptuous meal, a refreshing shower, and a cozy bed beckon, providing the perfect respite before embarking on this epic adventure. The palpable anticipation of what lies ahead fuels your spirit, and you're ready for anything.
• Meals : Dinner - Lodging at Bristol Cottages Hotel.
Day 2 - MOSHI
3,000-ft/914-m • Meet Your Expert Guides
You meet your Tusker Mountain Guides for your climb orientation and a final equipment check. This is a great opportunity to get to know your team leaders, talk about the climb, and gather any extra gear or supplies you may need. After gear check one your guides takes your group for lunch in Moshi.
This is a nice chance to wander around town getting a taste of Moshi, the bustling Tanzanian town of the north. He'll also show you around the colorful Moshi market at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
• All Meals - Lodging at Bristol Cottages Hotel.
Day 3 - UMBWE CAVE
9,360-ft/2,853-m • 6.83 miles/11 km • 5-6 hours
We set out from our hotel after a hearty breakfast. Our destination? The Umbwe Gate, sitting at 4,590 feet above sea level. Our journey takes us through remote villages bursting with the sweet aroma of coffee plantations and luscious banana groves.
We hit the winding trail, hiking through the rain-forest's dense canopy and over the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. As we reach our scenic campsite, perched amidst towering trees and thick undergrowth, you get the feeling you're in for an unforgettable night.
• Majestic Meals in Tusker's Mountain Camp.
Day 4 - BARRANCO CAMP (2 Nights)
12,950-ft/3,950-m • 4 miles/6.4 km • 4-5 hours
As we set out from camp, the forest gradually thins, giving way to rocky terrain cloaked in twisted undergrowth and shrouded by witch's beard. We trace the undulating ridge, climbing higher and higher, our eyes occasionally drawn to the towering Kibo peak in the distance.
As we near the fabled Barranco, the path levels out somewhat before plunging down into the heart of Barranco camp. Our tents are nestled snugly beneath the Western Breach and the imposing Barranco wall, a stirring reminder of the epic day that lies ahead.
• Sublime Meals in Tusker's Mountain Camp.
Day 5 - BARRANCO CAMP
12,950-ft/3,950-m
At almost 13,000 feet, Barranco is our oasis of rest, a place to acclimatize and steel ourselves for the challenging journey ahead. As we pause to catch our breath, we're awestruck by the breathtaking vistas of Kilimanjaro's majestic slopes, a mere foretaste of what's to come.
Today, we push ourselves to the limit to acclimatize, ascending 1,500 feet towards the towering Lava Tower. Our efforts are rewarded with sweeping views of the awe-inspiring Barranco and its curious flora, including the towering Giant Senecio and the majestic Lobelia. As we bask in this natural wonder, you know you're truly alive.
• Magnificent Meals in Tusker's Mountain Camp.
Day 6 - KARANGA CAMP
13,230-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours
We kick off the day with a bang - our first major challenge - the mighty Barranco Wall. While not an overwhelmingly difficult scramble, it certainly tests our stamina and agility.
Throughout the day, we marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Kibo peak, which looms above us on the left side. We take a steep descent into the serene Karanga Valley, catch our breath, and then make the last push up the steep climb to Karanga camp, at the foot of Kibo. As we rest for the night, we savor the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering yet another leg of this exhilarating journey.
• Splendid Meals in Tusker's Mountain Camp.
Day 7 - BARAFU HIGH CAMP
15,790-ft/4,813-m • 2.6 miles/4.18 km • 5 hours
As we ascend the steep terrain towards Barafu camp, the air grows thin and our breathing becomes labored. It's a challenging uphill climb, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Named for the Swahili word for "ice," Barafu camp is aptly named, as the frigid temperatures at this altitude are not to be underestimated. Yet despite the chill in the air, there's an electric energy that pulses through the camp as climbers gear up for the toughest day of the journey - to the summit tomorrow.
As the clouds drift in and out, we catch glimpses of the awe-inspiring Mawenzi peak at our backs, its eroded slopes bathed in the vibrant colors of the African sun.
• Fantastic Meals in Tusker's Mountain Camp.
Day 8 - UHURU PEAK - MILLENNIUM CAMP
Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hours
Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours
With the adrenaline pumping through your veins, you start climbing Kilimanjaro before the sun rises. The steep and demanding ascent is no match for your determination as you reach the Crater rim by mid-day. The sight of Mawenzi Peak over your shoulder and the towering ice-walls of the crater ahead fuel your excitement.
The ultimate prize is Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, just an hour away. At the summit, you bask in the breathtaking views during this unforgettable moment. Descending to Millennium camp for your final night is a thrilling rush of euphoria, as the memories of this incredible adventure will stay with you forever.
• Sumptuous Meals in Tusker's Mountain Camp.
Day 9 - MOSHI
Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours ~ Drive Moshi • 30 mins
With a sense of accomplishment, you embark on the final leg of your climb. The downhill hike from Millennium Camp to the National Park Gate marks the end of your incredible journey. As you sign out, you revel in the memories of the challenging climb, the stunning views, and the camaraderie with your climbing team.
A short ride back to the Bristol Cottages Hotel in Moshi awaits, where a well-deserved hot shower and a cold drink will refresh you. In the evening, you gather for a celebratory group dinner, reflecting on your extraordinary feat with pride and satisfaction.
• All Meals - Lodging at Bristol Cottages Hotel.
Day 10 - Join an exciting SAFARI - Explore ZANZIBAR - or fly home.
SAFARI
Get ready to venture out on an unforgettable adventure as you explore some of the world's most spectacular animal reserves on a Wildlife Safari. From the Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks, you'll encounter a stunning array of wildlife in their natural habitats.
ZANZIBAR
After your Kilimanjaro climb it's time to embark on an equally enchanting adventure – a journey back in time to the magical island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. Lose yourself in the historical maze of ancient alleyways and indulge in the beauty of the most pristine beaches on earth.
YOUR EXPERT GUIDES
YThe triumph of your Kilimanjaro summit challenge rests upon the expertise of your WORLD-CLASS GUIDES,, the heart and soul of your journey. At Tusker, our founder Eddie Frank utilized the same techniques he used when training the US Army’s Special Forces to train our elite team of guides. With almost five decades of experience, our exclusive team has successfully led tens of thousands of triumphant Tusker climbers to the summit. Rest assured that with Tusker's guides at your side, your climb to the top of Kilimanjaro will be nothing short of a resounding success.
EDDIE TALKS...
"I first climbed the Machame route after climbing Kilimanjaro for a few years. I realized that camping on the great mountain uncovered a different facet of Kilimanjaro’s ethereal character, as I was able to see, smell and hear Kilimanjaro’s spectacular ambience – 24 hours a day, under cover of a billion stars, when nature really stirs."
YOUR CLIMBING CREW
One of the keys to the success of your climb is your climbing crew. They are the backbone of your adventure and ensure that your camp and gear is set up at each new location on the climbing route. The team is made up of porters and chefs that are fiercely loyal to Tusker Trail and who have been part of our family for decades.
Your porters and chefs also provide an incredible window into Tanzanian culture. They introduce you to the inspiring music of Kilimanjaro which will inspire you to put one foot in front of the other. All in all, you and your team are part of one big family, on a trek to the top of Africa.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Professional guides & dedicated crew
- Airport Transfers on arrival and departure
- Transfers to and from the mountain
- Activities & Lodging as per daily itinerary
- All meals
- National Park Fees
- Free Field Guide to the Flora of Kilimanjaro
- Official Summit Certificate
- 4-season WALK-IN all weather tents
- 2-inch comfortable air/foam mattresses
- 4-season base-camp dining tents
- Dining tables & comfortable folding chairs
- Gas lighting in dining tents
- Purified water
- Private toilet tents
- Dry-bag (to protect your duffel)
PHOTO GALLERY
CLIMB REVIEWS
NEXT • 4 of 4
CHECK AVAILABLE DATES
Limited Group Sizes
ROUTES QUESTION?
+1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919