10 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Trek

Arrive in northern Tanzania, where a Hartebeest Safaris representative welcomes you and provides a private transfer to your Arusha accommodation. Settle in, recover from the flight and go through the plan for the days ahead.

Travel rhythm

Approximately 45–75 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport, depending on traffic.

Meals

Dinner, depending on arrival time

Accommodation

Hotel in Arusha, confirmed in the final quotation.

Stretch your legs on a ranger-guided walk among giraffe and buffalo near the Momella Lakes, beneath Mount Meru. Back at your hotel, your guide checks your gear and goes through the climb.

Travel rhythm

Usually about 1 hour by road each way, and 2–3 hours of easy walking.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Hotel in Arusha, confirmed in the final quotation.

Start straight up a steep ridge through thick rainforest, with tree roots for handholds and the forest falling away on either side.

Travel rhythm

Usually 5–7 hours of steep walking.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Umbwe Cave Camp, about 2,940 m.

Climb out of the forest along a narrow ridge with big drops, then join the southern circuit at the great Barranco valley.

Travel rhythm

Usually 4–6 hours of walking.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Barranco Camp, about 3,950 m.

Scramble up the famous Barranco Wall, then follow a rolling path around the mountain. This shorter day leaves the afternoon free to rest.

Travel rhythm

Usually 4–5 hours of walking.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Karanga Camp, about 3,995 m.

Walk through stark alpine desert to Barafu, the base for your summit attempt. Eat early, prepare your gear and rest before the midnight start.

Travel rhythm

Usually 3–5 hours of walking.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Barafu Camp, about 4,673 m.

Set off around midnight from Barafu, climbing by headlamp to Stella Point and on to Uhuru Peak at about 5,895 m, ideally around sunrise. Then descend for a long rest at Mweka Camp.

Travel rhythm

Usually 11–15 hours in total. Your guide may turn back if conditions or your health require it.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Mweka Camp, about 3,100 m.

Walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate to collect your summit certificate, then transfer to Arusha for a hot shower and a comfortable bed.

Travel rhythm

Usually 3–4 hours of walking, then the road transfer.

Meals

Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation

Hotel in Arusha, confirmed in the final quotation.

Give your legs a gentler day. Visit the Materuni waterfall in the Kilimanjaro foothills, see Chagga coffee being roasted and ground by hand, then rest at your hotel.

Travel rhythm

Usually 1.5 hours by road each way, with a short, easy walk.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Hotel in Arusha, confirmed in the final quotation.

Enjoy a relaxed final breakfast before your private transfer to the airport, or continue to a safari or Zanzibar extension.

Travel rhythm

Transfer timing is confirmed once final flight details are supplied.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

No accommodation included unless an extension is requested.