Umbwe Route – 8 Days

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a member of Serengeti Clarity Team will be there to greet you and transfer you to your hotel or lodge in Moshi.

We’ll convene at the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and equipment check, ensuring you have the required mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance in place for the commencement of your Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure the following day.

The climb begins at Umbwe Gate (1400 m), leading you along a ridge between two deep valleys through the dense Montane Forest. On clear days, especially during the dry season, this section offers lush and picturesque scenery, albeit potentially muddy if recent rains occurred. The ascent to Umbwe Cave, our initial camp, is steep and rugged.

The path becomes steeper as you exit the forest, requiring some climbing and scrambling past a 10-meter rock. As the landscape opens up, the vegetation transitions to typical moorland with towering Senecios. Baranco Camp, situated in the Barranco Valley at 3950 m, provides breathtaking views of both Kibo and the plains below.

A challenging climb up the Barranco Wall leads to an undulating trail on Kibo’s South Eastern flank, offering magnificent views of the Southern Ice Fields. The terrain shifts to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows. Karanga, the last water point before Barafu, is a short distance away, providing an opportunity for rest or a brief acclimatization walk.

A short but steep climb from Karanga Camp leads to an easy path on compacted scree with expansive views. The day is dedicated to resting and preparing for the final ascent, with an early night in anticipation.

The ascent begins by torchlight around midnight, reaching the Crater Rim for a breathtaking sunrise. The climb to Stella Point at 5735 m takes about five to six hours, followed by a twohour round trip to Uhuru Peak for those feeling strong. After enjoying the accomplishment at Uhuru Peak, the descent to Barafu begins swiftly, continuing to the final campsite, Mweka Forest Camp, where you’ll spend the night.

A gradual descent through a lovely forest with lush undergrowth brings you to Mweka National Park Gate. Here, you’ll receive your certificate for conquering Mount Kilimanjaro and bid an emotional farewell to the porters, cooks, and guides from Serengeti Clarity, who have become your friends during the Umbwe Route 6 Days trek.