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6 day itinerary

6 Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Umbwe Route

Umbwe in six days — the steep southern ridge, sold only to fit trekkers who understand the short acclimatization.

From $10,800 per personFinal quote depends on travel dates, lodge choice and group size.

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Route map

From start to finish

Starts in Mount Kilimanjaro and ends in Arusha.

Start: Mount Kilimanjaro End: Arusha

Tanzania

  1. Start Mount Kilimanjaro (Day 1-5)
  2. End Arusha (Day 6) Land Cruiser

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Digital itinerary

Day by day

Every package has a shareable digital itinerary: overnight notes, the route, and a print-ready PDF view.

  1. Day 1 Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp in a mountain tent at Umbwe Camp
  2. Day 2 Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp in a mountain tent at Barranco Camp
  3. Day 3 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp in a mountain tent at Karanga Camp
  4. Day 4 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp in a mountain tent at Barafu Camp
  5. Day 5 Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp in a mountain tent at Mweka Camp
  6. Day 6 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

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Kilimanjaro & Trekking

Umbwe is the steep southern ridge onto the Barranco circuit. Six days: Umbwe Camp, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, summit, Mweka. We sell it to fit trekkers who already know the mountain or who want the direct line. If you want a first Kilimanjaro, choose Machame or Lemosho.

Camping, crew and park fees are included.

Lava Tower on the steep southern circuit

Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp

Steep forest on the Umbwe Route

A steep forest ridge. There is little small talk on this afternoon. Umbwe is the direct southern line, sold to fit trekkers who already understand the mountain. Overnight in a mountain tent at Umbwe Camp.

Day 2: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp

Barranco Valley

Onto the Barranco Valley under the icefields. The ridge delivers you to the same hidden camp Machame reaches in three days. Overnight in a mountain tent at Barranco Camp.

Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Karanga Camp

Barranco Wall to Karanga. A scramble, not a climb, then a lower sleep than Barafu. Overnight in a mountain tent at Karanga Camp.

Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Barafu Camp

To Barafu on the rocky ridge. Rest before midnight. Overnight in a mountain tent at Barafu Camp.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Uhuru Peak

Summit night, descend to Mweka. Stella Point, Uhuru Peak, then a long way down. Overnight in a mountain tent at Mweka Camp.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

Mweka descent

Gate, transfer to Arusha or Moshi, which ends the climb.

The package

What is included — and what is not

Two separate lists, so you can see what the itinerary price covers before you request a quote.

Covered

Included in this itinerary

In the package price, for the dates and lodge or camp class on your quote.

  • Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping or hut fees, and rescue fees for this route.
  • Certified mountain guide, assistant guides, cook and porters as required for the group size.
  • Transport between Arusha or Moshi and the gate.
  • Mountain tents, sleeping mats, dining tent and all meals on the mountain.
  • Purified drinking water on the mountain.
  • All meals cooked and served on the mountain.
  • A live-music and traditional-dance farewell evening in Arusha or Moshi after your descent.
  • Two nights in Arusha or Moshi on a bed-and-breakfast basis — one before the climb and one after — unless the quote uses a different hotel plan.

You arrange these

Not included

Budget separately, or ask us to add them to your proposal.

  • International flights
  • Airport taxes and visa or eTA fees
  • Alcoholic drinks and any specialty dining not named on your quote
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature, laundry and souvenirs
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional extras such as a hot-air balloon, Maasai village visit or spa, unless added to the quote
  • Sleeping bag, trekking poles and personal climbing clothing (rent in Arusha if needed)
  • Tips for the mountain crew, paid on the mountain

When to travel

Season and routing

Dry months (January–March and June–October) are the usual climbing window. April–May and November are wetter, with heavier trail mud. We still run climbs in the rains if you accept that. Summit night is cold on every route. Umbwe is steep. We will steer first-time climbers to Machame or Lemosho unless you specifically want this ridge.

Where you sleep

Choose your stay style

Four ways to travel the same parks. Pick one style for the whole safari, or mix nights — we quote what you actually want. Names below are properties we often confirm. The lodge or camp on your quote is the booking; nothing here is reserved until you approve it.

  1. Camping Safari tents, a cook, the night sounds of the park. The honest, close-to-the-ground way to safari.
  2. Mid-range En-suite lodges and tented camps we use most — a proper bed, a shower, and the game still at the door.
  3. Luxury Pools, full-service dining, the better rooms in the same parks.
  4. High-end Suite camps and private houses when the trip is built around silence and space.

Arusha or Moshi — the night before and after the climb

Camping

We do not camp in town. You need a proper bed, a shower and a breakfast before the gate.

Mid-range

Planet Lodge, Mvuli Hotel, or a similar Arusha / Moshi hotel on bed and breakfast.

Luxury

Gran Meliá Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge — a quieter garden night before Machame or Marangu.

High-end

Legendary Lodge, Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge — small, private houses when the climb is part of a longer high-end safari.

Before you book

Practical notes

  • This is a trekking itinerary, not a technical climb. You still need fitness for six to eight hours a day and a summit night that starts around midnight.
  • We follow park altitude rules. If the guide turns you back, that decision stands.
  • Tips for the mountain crew are not included. We send a suggested tipping sheet with the quote.
  • Town nights before and after the climb are camping-to-high-end hotels in Arusha or Moshi. On the mountain you sleep in park huts (Marangu) or mountain tents (all other routes).
  • This is not a scenic-walk route. Expect a hard first two days and a summit from Barafu like Machame.

OUR AFFILIATES

Singita Elewana Collection Meliá Karibu Africa Safaris Legendary Expeditions