Moshi
Your Moshi hotel
Budget, midrange or luxury — your base for the briefing before the climb and a hot shower after it.
Kilimanjaro · Umbwe Route
6-Day Umbwe
Route
The steep, direct and rarely walked way up Kilimanjaro, joining the Southern Circuit for a sunrise summit from Barafu.
- 6 days on the mountain
- Very challenging
- Steep and direct
- Private climb
The climb
Steep, direct
and uncrowded.
Umbwe is the steepest and most direct line up Mount Kilimanjaro. It climbs fast through untouched forest and along narrow ridges, with dramatic scenery and very few other climbers.
The route is not technical, but the quick height gain leaves little time to acclimatise, so we recommend it for fit hikers with altitude experience. For better summit odds, consider adding a day with the 7-day version.
Route & elevations
From the gate
to the Roof of Africa.
Every climb is led by a professional mountain guide with a full support crew.
- Day 01 Moshi Arrival & briefing
- Day 02 Umbwe Cave Camp 2,850 m
- Day 03 Barranco Camp 3,900 m
- Day 04 Karanga Camp 3,995 m
- Day 05 Barafu Camp 4,673 m
- Day 06 Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
- Day 07 Mweka Gate 1,800 m
Day by day
Your climb, step by step
Times and distances are a guide — your lead guide sets the pace on the mountain.
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi
Welcome to Kilimanjaro
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi (budget, midrange or luxury)
Our team meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you to your hotel in Moshi, the gateway town to the mountain.
In the evening your lead guide talks you through the climb, checks your gear and answers your questions. The rest of the day is for resting and drinking plenty of water.
- Stay
- Hotel in Moshi (budget, midrange or luxury)
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2: Umbwe Gate → Umbwe Cave Camp
Straight into the forest
Overnight: Umbwe Cave Camp (tents)
After registering at Umbwe Gate, the trail heads steeply up a narrow, forested ridge.
Moss-draped trees close in on both sides and the path can be slippery after rain, so good boots matter. You camp beneath giant trees at Umbwe Cave.
- Stay
- Umbwe Cave Camp (tents)
- Elevation
- 1,600 m → 2,850 m
- Walking
- 11 km · 5–7 hrs
Day 3: Umbwe Cave → Barranco Camp
Above the trees
Overnight: Barranco Camp (tents)
The ridge keeps climbing until the forest gives way to moorland and dramatic views open up.
You join the Machame trail at Barranco Camp, below the famous Barranco Wall, with time to relax at one of the mountain's finest campsites.
- Stay
- Barranco Camp (tents)
- Elevation
- 2,850 m → 3,900 m
- Walking
- 6 km · 4–5 hrs
Day 4: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
The Barranco Wall
Overnight: Karanga Camp (tents)
The day opens with a scramble up the Barranco Wall — steep and thrilling, but with no technical climbing.
From the top the trail rolls across alpine valleys and ridges to Karanga Camp. The short distance leaves time to rest and acclimatise.
- Stay
- Karanga Camp (tents)
- Elevation
- 3,900 m → 3,995 m
- Walking
- 6 km · 4–5 hrs
Day 5: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
To base camp
Overnight: Barafu Camp (tents)
A steady climb across bare, windswept alpine desert brings you to Barafu, the final base camp.
You arrive in time for an early dinner and a summit briefing, then sleep before the midnight start.
- Stay
- Barafu Camp (tents)
- Elevation
- 3,995 m → 4,673 m
- Walking
- 4 km · 3–4 hrs
Day 6: Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Summit day
Overnight: Mweka Camp (tents)
Around midnight you begin the slow climb over loose scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim.
The rim leads to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), Africa's highest point, ideally at sunrise. After celebrating you descend to Barafu for brunch and continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Stay
- Mweka Camp (tents)
- Elevation
- 4,673 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m
- Walking
- 17 km · 12–14 hrs
Day 7: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Back to Moshi
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi (budget, midrange or luxury)
A final walk down through the rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate.
There you receive your summit certificate and say goodbye to your crew before the drive back to Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration.
- Stay
- Hotel in Moshi (budget, midrange or luxury)
- Elevation
- 3,100 m → 1,800 m
- Walking
- 10 km · 3–4 hrs
Day 8: Departure
Farewell from Tanzania
Depending on your flight time, we drive you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your journey home.
Continuing on safari or to Zanzibar? We arrange the connection so your next adventure begins smoothly.
Where you will sleep
Rest well,
climb strong.
On the mountain
Mountain camps
Two-person sleeping tents, a dining tent with table and chairs, hot washing water and three meals a day — all set up by your crew.
Included
Your climb includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Return transport to and from the trailhead
- Two nights in a Moshi hotel (before and after the climb)
- Park, conservation and rescue fees, plus VAT
- Professional mountain guide and full crew, wages and allowances included
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Rescue vehicle on standby
- Sleeping tents and a dining tent with table and chairs
- Three meals a day on the mountain
- Morning wake-up call, hot washing water and ginger tea on summit night
Not included
Not included
- Flights
- Travel and health insurance
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Drinks at the hotel
- Personal items and gear
- Taxis and extra transfers
Good to know
Extras, transfers
& tipping.
Optional extras — private toilet $150 per trip · private tent $5 per day · Kailas X3 alpine tent $10 per day · thicker sleeping mattress $10 · Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad $15.
Private transfers — Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi (or back) $50 · Arusha to Moshi (or back) $100. Pre-booking recommended.
Suggested crew tips per climber — lead guide USD 20–25 · assistant guide USD 15–20 · cook USD 12–15 · porter USD 8–10.
Make more of your trip — add a wildlife safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Tarangire, a few days on Zanzibar's beaches, or a cultural visit to Maasai and Chagga communities and a coffee tour near Moshi.
Prices for this route are quoted on request for your dates and group size.
Start planning
Tell us when
you want to climb.
Every climb is private and planned around your dates, fitness and pace.
Send us the details below and our team will put together your 6-Day Umbwe Route proposal.
Good to know: Your enquiry does not commit you to a booking. It simply gives our team what we need to plan your climb.
Request your climb proposal
Ready for the Roof of Africa?
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a climb plan and a clear price.