6 Days: Kilimanjaro Hiking via Umbwe Route

After breakfast, you will trek through the remaining rainforest to a rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see a glimpse of Meru Volcano for the first time. Trekking on the Umbwe Route for this day will be of a moderate length. As you gain elevation, you will have sightings of Kilimanjaro rising majestically in front of you. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp (3,960 m), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault. Dinner will be provided, and then you have the opportunity to relax and getting ready for the next day. • Elevation: 2,930m - 3,985m • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Distance: 6 km | 4 miles • Habitat: Moorland

Today you will wake up early have breakfast and the start of summiting Great Barranco Wall, the climb to this steep cliff normally turns out to be easier than anticipated, only takes around an hour. After the climb you will have a rest before starting a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After lunch you will have a short rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the screed slopes towards the Southern ice field, then you will return to the camp for dinner and overnight. • Elevation: 3,960m - 4,035m • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Distance: 5 km | 3 miles • Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Today’s trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walking hours are few because is steep, so it needs slowly walk to avoid fatigue as well as high altitude sickness. You will walk across alpine desert with strong cold wind blowing because there are no trees around. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. You will camp, have an early dinner and prepare for the summit. • Elevation: 4,035m - 4,640m • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Distance: 4 km | 2 miles • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (around midnight), you will leave Barafu Camp (4,640 m) and begin your push to the summit Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Most climbers find the 6-hour walk to Stella point as the most mentally and physically challenging. You will ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you have arrived at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. The view up there is unbelievable. You will spend some time taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, you will then descend back to the Barafu Huts campsite, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue your walk down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts campsite, then dinner and overnight at Mweka hut campsite. Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak • Elevation: 4,640m - 5,895m • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours • Distance: 5 km | 3 miles • Habitat: Arctic Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp • Elevation: 5,895 m to 3,820 m • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours • Distance: 12 km | 7 miles • Habitat: Rain Forest

Today is your last day on the mountain, when you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. You will then descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane Forest this descent will take 3-4 hours. At the Mweka Gate you will collect the summit certificates, then continue another hour to Mweka Village. The driver will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Arusha. • Elevation: 3,820m - 1,650m • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours • Distance: 10 km | 6 miles • Habitat: Rain Forest