This route is the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. It follows a forested ridge to the moorlands, and then traverses below the Southern Ice-fields to reach the Barafu Route which is followed to the summit. An early start is made on the summit day to reach Stella Point, on the Crater Rim at dawn. Uhuru Peak lies a further 40 min. along the rim. The Mweka Route is used for the descent. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents that our team will pitch for you. This is a steep, tough and in places slightly exposed trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas.
Day 1 Distance: 11km
Umbwe Gate (5,905 ft/1,800 m) to Umbwe Camp (9,190 ft/2,800 m) 5-7 hours
Following an early breakfast, you will have a briefing from your guide. At 9 am, our staff will take you on the hour-long drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Umbwe Village where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies. Kilimanjaro Park registration will be completed here and you will also receive your lunch pack. After registration, you will begin your ascent from the Umbwe Gate and continue on a small vehicle path until you reach the signage notifying you have reached the Umbwe Trail. You will then climb for 5-6 hours through dense rainforest. It is impossible to miss the giant fig trees and rubber trees as in some places, their roots have overtaken the path. Although, sometimes slippery themselves, they can make for good footholds when the path becomes sloppy with mud after a rain. Umbwe Camp is inside the forest and will your first stop. When you arrive, you will find your camp and tent is already set up by the porters who ran ahead. They will bring you boiled drinking water and washing water in preparation for dinner.
Day 2 Distance: 6km
Umbwe Camp (9,190 ft/2,800 m) to Barranco Camp (12,800 ft/3,900 m)
4-5 hours Rise early for coffee or tea. After breakfast, pack up for the day’s trek. Your trek will begin steeply through the disappearing rainforest glades before ascending into drier air of Giant Erica and Heathland terrain where the vegetation is sparse with small shrubs. You will continue on an exposed ridge that offers you with your first view of Uhuru Peak if the clouds have parted enough. After lunch, you begin to enter into the semi-desert terrain when you trek through a garden of Senecio plants. These odd looking groundsels resemble something like a pre-historic cactus. Once you reach Barranco Camp, your porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving dinner. While you wait for your dinner, you will have a chance to experience one of the most memorable sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops through the valley. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.
Day 3 Distance: 4km
Acclimatization Day at Barranco Camp
You will spend Day 3 exploring near Barranco Camp for much-needed acclimatization. Keep your camera handy to capture the scenery of the groundsel-clad campsite. Many trekkers rank this as their favorite camp on this trail, which another reason this is perfect spot for your acclimatization day. If you are highly confident in your body’s ability to acclimatize well, you can choose the 6-Day Umbwe Itinerary. Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio kilimanjari, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
Day 4 Distance: 5km
Barranco Camp (12,960 ft/3,950m) to Karanga Camp (13,780 ft/4,200m)
4 hours after sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Do not worry…It’s much easier than it looks. Continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier. Then head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.
Day 5 Distance: 4km
Karanga Camp (13,780 ft/4,200m) to Barafu Camp (14,930 ft/4,550m)
3-4 hours after breakfast, you will head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut. You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. Also, have your headlamp/flashlight handy if you need to leave the tent after dark. You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 PM and try to catch a few hours of shuteye before your summit attempt!
Day 6 Distance: 17km
SUMMIT DAY! Barafu Camp (14,930 ft/4,550m) to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft/5,895 m) to Mweka Camp (10,170 ft/3,100 m)
8 hours up, 9-10 hours down Wake at 11:30 PM for tea or coffee and biscuits and then depart Barafu on your bid for the peak. You will climb 6 hours through thick scree following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m). You have just completed what most climbers consider the most challenging part of their trek. Depending on your pace to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold. At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route. You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak. Congratulations, you are now standing on the Roof of Africa! You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon in order to allow yourself enough time to rest at the Barafu Camp. After a 3-hour descent down sliding scree, you will reach Barafu to have a short rest while you collect your gear and then continue down the path back into the forest camp of Mweka. You might experience a little rain in the afternoon, so be sure to have your rain gear in your daypack. Enjoy some dinner and some well-deserved sleep. At Mweka Camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, candy bars, and beer.
Day 7 Distance: 10km
Mweka Camp (10,170 ft/3,100 m) to Mweka Gate (6,500 ft/1,980 m)
3-4 hours Wake up for breakfast as usual, pack, and descend through a short, scenic, 3-hour hike to Mweka Gate. Wait until you and all of your gear has reached the gate before you tip your staff. After registering at the gate, you will wait to receive your summit certificates (green for those who reached Stella Point and gold for those who reach Uhuru Peak). From the gate, if the road is too muddy for vehicles, you will continue your hike for 1 hour to the Mweka Village, 3km away. There you will enjoy a hot lunch before being driven back to Moshi where you can have your first hot shower in days!
The climb cost includes:
Transfers:
- Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Arusha;
- Return transfer from accommodation in Arusha to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Entry fees:
Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Accommodation:
- Two nights Hotel accommodation for the pre and post trek night (At a 3 Star hotel in Moshi). You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
. Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
. All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
. All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
. 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
. All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
. Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
. GPS-tracking service;
. Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Climbing crew:
. Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 5+years of successful experience;
. Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
The climb cost excludes:
. International flights;
. Visa fee;
. Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
. Personal gear rentals;
. Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
. Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3-4 people);
. Mountaineering insurance. You will need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m.
When can I climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, although inclement weather and uncomfortable conditions in the Wet Seasons (April-May and November – mid-December) mean that most people climb in the Dry Seasons, from January to mid-March and June to October. The optimal climbing conditions mean that this is the busiest time for expeditions. For those who are more experienced and prefer some solitude, a Wet Season climb can be a rewarding challenge. Expeditions can encounter extreme weather events at any time, so be prepared.
Who can climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
The minimum age limit to climb Kilimanjaro is 10 years old. A special exemption may be issued for younger persons at the sole discretion of the Parks Authority. The authorities do not impose restrictions on who may attempt to climb the mountain, and numerous individuals with special needs or disabilities have successfully summited. While not technical, the trek is strenuous and participants should consult their doctor if they have pre-existing conditions that may be affected by extreme exertion or altitude.
How much does it cost to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
While it is possible to climb for as little as $1500, we strongly advise against this. Operators charging low prices generally have numerous ethical shortcomings, including the mistreatment of staff. Depending on the time of year and the route you choose, you should expect to pay upwards of $2000 per person, with some “luxury” options exceeding $6000. Note, that these rates generally do not include transport, pre- and post-trek accommodation, staff gratuities or other expenses.
What overnight arrangements should I expect when climbing Mt Kilimanjaro?
Aside from the Marangu Route, all routes require sleeping in tents. Given the physical challenges, your tent is a sanctuary and an established nightly routine will refresh you. Have comfortable, warm clothes to change into and take measures to retain body heat and avoid getting yourself or your gear wet. Eat plenty to aid recovery and stamina. Visit the toilet before you go to sleep. Note that toilet facilities are basic at best.
Do I need to bring a tent and camping gear for Mt Kilimanjaro?
Tents and equipment for meal preparation are provided with quality varying between operators. All luggage and camping gear is carried by porters This necessitates large support teams. Typically, two people share a tent and they also have a large mess tent, complete with tables and chairs where meals are prepared and served. We highly recommend that you bring your own tried and tested gear, such as an expedition-quality sleeping bag (rated to -18 deg. Celsius) and walking poles.
Do I need to bring a tent and camping gear for Mt Kilimanjaro?
Good food is essential to maintain stamina on the trek. Most operators provide ample food, starting with a large breakfast of porridge and cooked items. Packed lunches are provided to be carried by participants The day’s walking ends with light snacks while dinner is prepared All dietary requirements/restrictions can be catered to, provided advanced notice is given at the time of booking your trek.
Do I need a guide and support team to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
All people wishing to climb Kilimanjaro are required by law to retain the services of a registered and licensed professional guide. All climbers must register with the Parks Authority prior to departure and sign in at each camp. Your guide and support team are essential to ensure your safety and comfort during the expedition. They are there to assist with their expertise, porterage of equipment and belongings and ensure compliance with relevant protocols.