8 Days Umbwe Route - Mount Kilimanjaro Tour

Duration : 7 Nights / 8 Days

Destination Covered : Arusha

Tour Activities : Trekking

Tour Themes : Adventure Tours, Wildlife

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Arusha Tour Overview

The 8-day Umbwe Route is one of the most challenging and direct paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its steep and demanding ascent. Starting from the Umbwe Gate, this route quickly gains altitude, passing through dense rainforest before emerging into alpine desert. The trail is less traveled, offering solitude and breathtaking views but requires excellent physical fitness and acclimatization.

An extra day is typically included for acclimatization at Karanga Camp, improving the chances of a successful summit. The route converges with the Machame Route near Barranco Camp, and from there, trekkers continue to Barafu Camp before making the final push to Uhuru Peak. The descent follows the Mweka Route, offering a different and more gradual way down.

Arusha Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at JRO/ Arusha

Arrival in Kilimanjaro International Airport or arrive in Arusha from Nairobi, Meet and assist at the airport and after going through Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs, Transfer to Arusha town to overnight at Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 2

Machame Gate

Machame Gate to Machame Hut (2,850m)
Hike time: 7.5 hrs, Elevation change: +1200 M
Estimated distance: 10km, Final elevation: 3100 M
an early pick up from hotel and then drive to Machame gate (5,400) where trekking formalities take about 30 minutes. From the gate, we begin our trek following an easy track for the first hour through the dense forest. The path continues to follow the ridge, rising steadily with several steep sections. The gradient eases slightly as the forest merges into heather covered ground we will reach Machame Campsite in 10 km (6.2 miles) after a 1,200–meter (3,936) ascent and 5–7 hours of walking.

Day 3

Shira Hut (3,840m)

Hike time: 7 hrs, Elevation change: +800 M
Estimated distance: 6km, Final elevation: 3,840 M
From the Machame Hut we cross the stream onto its west bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge crises-crossing a few times before reaching Shira Hut at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. We will have ascended 900 meters (3,000) in 5–7 hours and about 6 km (3.72 miles) of walking.

Day 4

Barranco Hut (3,976m)

Hike time: 5 hrs, Elevation change: +100 M
Estimated distance? Final elevation: 3900 M
From Shira Hut hike to Lava Tower (15,000) and then proceed to Barranco via the Great Barranco Wall. This route offers panoramic views of Kibo through Karanga Valley as we hike high and sleep low, dropping back down to Barranco after lunch. Today hike will take most of the day Barranco campsite located on elevation of 3950m.

Day 5

Barafu Hut (4,600m)

Hike time: 3.5 hrs, Elevation change: +600 M
Estimated distance: 4km, Final elevation: 4600 M
Today involves gaining a little more elevation, acclimatizing and resting for the summit attempt the next morning. This day will take us 4 to 6 hrs of walking.

Day 6

Summit and then Mweka Camp (3,068m)

SUMMIT DAY! Summit time: 7 hrs, Elevation change: +1300 M
Estimated distance: 5km, Final elevation: 5895 M
Descent time: 5 hrs, Elevation change: -2800M
Estimated distance: 12km, Final elevation: 3100 M
We will start trekking early before sunrise (1–2 am) as the walk today will take 10-14 + hours. We will avoid the mist that sets in later in the day; the scree and snow will still be safely frozen. The 1,100-meter (3,600) ascent in just over 3 km (1.86 miles) will take us about 6-8 hours. After a brief stay at the summit of the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, at over 5,898 meters (19,340′), we descend via the Barafu Route roughly 2,500 meters (8,200) in 12 km (7.44 miles) in about 4–7 hours to Mweka Camp.

Day 7

Mweka Gate (1,640m) and then Drive back to Arusha

Descent time: 4 hrs, Elevation change: -1250M
Estimated distance: 10km, Final elevation: 1828 M
Today we descend about 1400 meters (4,592) through the forest on a jungle path for about 10 km (6.2 miles) in 3 – 4 hours to reach Mweka Gate where you will be picked by our driver and transferred back to Arusha. Stay overnight overnight at Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 8

Departure Transfer

After breakfast Relish Enthusiast Adventures can organize a private departure transfer to Arusha Airport or to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home or flying to Zanzibar Island.

End of Trip