Day 1: Arrival in Moshi;
Your 8-day Umbwe route Kilimanjaro trek begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Moshi, the gateway to Kilimanjaro. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, meeting with your guide, and preparing for your trek. Overnight stay in Moshi.
Day 2: Moshi - Umbwe Gate - Umbwe Camp;
After an early breakfast, you'll be driven to the Umbwe Gate (1,800 meters), the starting point of your trek. Here, you'll meet your trekking crew and begin your ascent through the lush rainforest. The trail is steep and challenging, ascending rapidly through the forest. You'll arrive at Umbwe Camp (2,943 meters) in the afternoon, where you'll have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3: Umbwe Camp - Barranco Camp;
Today's trek takes you through the moorland zone, with increasingly sparse vegetation as you gain altitude. You'll ascend steeply, passing the first of the iconic Barranco Wall. This section involves some scrambling but offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. After reaching the top of the Barranco Wall, the trail descends into the Karanga Valley before ascending again to Barranco Camp (3,976 meters). Dinner and overnight stay at Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp;
After breakfast, you'll begin the trek towards Karanga Camp (3,995 meters). The trail traverses the alpine desert, offering panoramic views of the glaciers on Kilimanjaro's summit. You'll pass through the iconic giant groundsels and lobelias characteristic of this altitude. Upon reaching Karanga Camp, you'll have lunch and spend the afternoon resting and acclimatizing. Dinner and overnight stay at Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp;
Today's trek takes you to Barafu Camp (4,673 meters), the final camp before your summit attempt. The trail ascends steadily, crossing barren landscapes as you approach the arctic zone. As you reach Barafu Camp, you'll be greeted by stunning views of Mawenzi Peak and the glaciers of Kilimanjaro. Spend the rest of the day resting and mentally preparing for the summit bid. Dinner will be served early, and you'll have an early bedtime to prepare for the summit push.
Day 6: Summit Day - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp;
You'll wake up in the middle of the night to begin your summit attempt. The trek to the summit starts in darkness, following a steep and challenging trail to Stella Point (5,685 meters), where you'll witness a breathtaking sunrise over the East African plains. From Stella Point, it's a relatively flat but physically demanding trek along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement at the summit, you'll begin the descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and lunch. Continuing downhill, you'll trek to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters), where you'll have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi;
Today marks the final leg of your Kilimanjaro trek. After breakfast, you'll descend through the lush rainforest, enjoying the sights and sounds of the diverse flora and fauna. Upon reaching Mweka Gate (1,640 meters), you'll sign out with the park authorities and receive your summit certificates. Your transfer will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can enjoy a hot shower and a well-deserved rest. Overnight stay in Moshi.
Day 8: Departure;
After breakfast, you'll have some free time to explore Moshi or relax at your hotel before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Umbwe route Kilimanjaro trek. Depart with cherished memories of summiting Africa's highest peak and experiencing the beauty of Kilimanjaro's diverse landscapes.