Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and get driven to Moshi, which takes about 40 minutes. Check into your hotel and spend some time getting comfortable with the facilities like the pool and internet. Before the day ends, take a moment to sort through your gear and pick up anything you need, such as bottled water. Your guide will come find you in the late afternoon to walk through what's coming on the trek.
Included Activities
- Trek briefing with registered guide
Optional Activities
- Explore hotel swimming pool
- Use hotel internet access
- Visit hotel gear rental section
- Purchase bottled water and supplies
Landmarks/POIs Kilimanjaro Airport - Day 2
Umbwe Gate to Forest Camp
After breakfast, head to Umbwe Gate starting at 1800m. The drive passes through villages with banana and coffee plantations clustered at Kilimanjaro's base. At Parks Gate, you'll meet your guide and porters before starting up the Umbwe Route through montane forest. The trail climbs steeply through rainforest between two rivers, with deep gorges visible and the mountain rising above. Temperatures start warm but drop as you gain elevation, and muddy sections are likely. Your camp sits among tall trees and thick undergrowth.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Umbwe Gate to forest camp along Umbwe Route
- Breakfast at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Umbwe Gate - Day 3
Forest to Barranco Valley
The forest starts opening up as you move into rockier ground with less vegetation and trees covered in moss. You'll follow a narrow ridge through heath, moving through different vegetation zones as altitude increases. Keep an eye out for Lammergeyer birds, which show up regularly along this section. The terrain levels off as Barranco Valley approaches, and you'll descend slightly from the Umbwe ridge to reach camp. The valley location below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall gives you a really nice sunset from camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from forest camp to Barranco Valley
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Barranco Valley Barranco Wall - Day 4
Acclimatization Day at Barranco
Today is a rest day at Barranco Valley for your body to adjust to the altitude. Walk around the Barranco Wall if you feel up to it, or check out the Senecios plants in the area. Many people choose to take it easy and just recover. This break before continuing higher is really important for how you'll feel going forward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization day at Barranco camp
Optional Activities
- Walk around and explore surrounding areas
- Visit Barranco Wall
- Observe Senecios plants
- Rest at camp
Landmarks/POIs Barranco Wall - Day 5
Barranco to Barafu Camp
Start early with a slow climb up toward the famous Barranco Wall and below the Heim Glacier. After taking in those views, continue through Karanga Valley passing three ridges and valleys. You'll see Karanga Camp, then keep going up another 2 to 3 hours to Barafu, which is a rocky and narrow camp spot. It's a long push today, but the summit sits 1345m above where you're stopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Barranco to Barafu camp via Barranco Wall and Karanga Valley
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Barranco Wall Heim Glacier Karanga Valley - Day 6
Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Hut
Get going before midnight heading northwest for the summit attempt. You'll trek 5 to 6 hours reaching Stella Point at 5685m on the crater rim, which is physically taxing. Take a short break there, then push the final 200m up to Uhuru Peak at 5895m, taking another 1 to 2 hours. After summit photos, you'll head back down to Barafu and continue to Mweka Hut at 3100m. This whole day runs 13 to 16 hours with about 6 to 8 hours going up and 7 to 8 hours coming down.
Included Activities
- Trek from Barafu to Uhuru Peak (5895m summit)
- Trek from Uhuru Peak descent to Mweka Hut
Landmarks/POIs Stella Point Uhuru Peak Kibo Crater - Day 7
Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
A 3-hour walk down through montane forest from Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate finishes your trek. At the gate, you'll get your certificate. If you reached Stella Point, it's green. If you made it to Uhuru Peak, you'll get a gold one for completing the Umbwe Route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
- Certificate presentation ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Mweka Gate - Day 8
Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport Departure
Get driven to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight home, bringing your Kilimanjaro climb to a close.
Landmarks/POIs Kilimanjaro Airport
