6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Itinerary
Distances, elevations and walking times below follow the published package itinerary and should be treated as approximate. Weather, trail conditions, group pace, park procedures and guide safety decisions can change the daily schedule.
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
After registration at Umbwe Gate, the climb begins on a narrow trail through montane rainforest near the Umbwe River. The route gains elevation steadily toward the first night's camp.
- Elevation: about 1,600 m to 2,900 m
- Approximate distance: 11 km
- Approximate walking time: about 6 hours
- Habitat: Montane forest
- Overnight: Umbwe Camp
Day 2: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp
The trail leaves the dense forest and continues higher toward the Great Barranco area. The Western Breach wall may be visible as the group approaches Barranco Camp, depending on cloud and weather.
- Elevation: about 2,940 m to 3,970 m
- Approximate distance: 6 km
- Approximate walking time: 4–5 hours
- Overnight: Barranco Camp
Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day begins with the Barranco Wall. This is a steep trekking obstacle where careful hands-and-feet movement may be needed in places. After the wall, the trail continues through the Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp.
- Elevation: about 3,950 m to 3,930 m
- Approximate distance: 7 km
- Approximate walking time: about 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Overnight: Karanga Camp
Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
The group leaves Karanga and climbs toward the junction with the Mweka descent trail before continuing to Barafu. At camp, the priority is food, hydration, warm clothing, equipment preparation and rest before the summit attempt begins late at night.
- Elevation: about 3,930 m to 4,600 m
- Approximate distance: 6 km
- Approximate walking time: about 3 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Overnight: Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then Descend to Mweka Camp
The summit attempt normally starts during the night. The route climbs through scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim and, if your health, weather and your guide's safety assessment allow, continues toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. Reaching the summit is the objective, but it is not guaranteed.
After the summit attempt, the route descends toward Barafu and continues to Mweka Camp for the final mountain night. This is the most demanding day of the itinerary.
- Stella Point: about 5,732 m
- Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m / 19,341 ft
- Descent camp: Mweka Camp, about 3,100 m
- Overnight: Mweka Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, then Transfer to Moshi
After breakfast, the group descends through lower-elevation forest toward Mweka Gate. Wet and muddy conditions are possible on this section, so trekking poles and suitable rain protection can be useful.
Park exit formalities are completed at the gate, and certificates are issued according to the point reached rather than assuming every climber reached Uhuru Peak. Your driver then transfers you to the agreed Moshi drop-off point.