MOSHI - UMBWE GATE - UMBWE CAMP
Your guide and climb support crew arrive at your hotel in the morning. Introductions and a last brief equipment check precede your drive to the Umbwe Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park.
This entrance, situated at 1,640 m above sea level, is where your trek starts. The head-guide will finalize the permits and registration for search and rescue services.
Your first day trekking is meant to bring you to Umbwe Camp for your first mountain overnight. Climbing up to 2,930 m is a long haul with a significant increase in altitude, so find the right pace for the whole group and stick with it. As this part of Umbwe route goes through rainforest with its probability of rain showers- do not forget your raincoat.
Your support crew will have prepared the camp and dinner by the time you get there.
Distance: 11 km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
UMBWE CAMP - BARRANCO CAMP
This day starts with an early wake-up and filling breakfast before your team starts the trek to Barranco Camp.
The rainforest will quickly give way to moorland, and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see Meru Volcano for the first time.
This day's trek is moderate in length and around lunchtime it is expected that you will reach Barranco Camp (3,900m/12795f), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault.
Lunch will be provided here, and then you will have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day, which significantly facilitates the acclimatization process.
Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA CAMP
This day begins with another early wake-up and a filling breakfast before your group starts to climb Barranco Wall. We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid other groups and crowds on the way, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to go on an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter (656-foot) gain in altitude and then descend back down to the camp.
KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
In the morning after breakfast, you will begin your hike to Barafu Summit Camp (4,673m/15331f), the starting point for the night summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m19340f).
Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax as soon as you arrive.
After regaining strength, you will need to go on an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870m/15978f) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner.
It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.
Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MILLENNIUM CAMP
The group leaves Barafu Camp at around midnight. This night you will climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19340f).
Although the trek itself is not difficult, the high altitude means that even regular physical activity feels strenuous.
For the final summit, we pair every two climbers with a personal guide whose responsibility it is to monitor their physical and mental well-being more closely. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak you may choose to walk to one of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers.
The group will then return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before the descent to the Millennium Camp at 3,950m/12959f.
Trekking time: 8-12 hours
MILLENNIUM CAMP - MWEKA GATE
Millennium Camp sits amidst a rainforest. The lower altitude, as well as the realization of having reached your goal, make for a good night's sleep.
The group will set out on the last leg of the journey towards Mweka Gate - national park exit (1,640m/5381) upon finishing breakfast.
This will be your last opportunity to share memories of the climb with your guides and support team. You will receive your certificates of accomplishment at our offices before being driven back to your hotel.
Distance:
12 km
Trekking time:
4-5 hours
