Introduction
The Umbwe Route used to be the steepest, shortest and most direct route to Uhuru Peak. Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep, direct climb and reaching Barranco Camp. The trail follows the southern circuit to the summit and descending via the Mweka Route. Umbwe route considered to be very difficult due to its steepness in the first two days and its short time of acclimatization.
Day 1: Umbwe Gate (1,600 meters) to Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 meters)
- Distance: 10.5km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitant: Rainforest
After the early Breakfast in your hotel, get driven from Moshi or Arusha to the Machame Gate, for registration formalities. The climb starts from Umbwe Gate, where the path follows a forestry track through the rainforest before steepening between the Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers.The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. On arrival your tents will already be assembled and dinner will be served in your mess tent.
Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850 meters) to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters)
- Distance: 6.5km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitant: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
After your early breakfast you will hike though the rainforest to moorland, with rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation. The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest along the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp situated in the valley.
Day 3: Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters)
- Distance: 6km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitant: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
In this day climb up the 257 meter Barranco Wall. The Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, No technical skills are required but you will need to use all four limbs to scramble up to the top. From here you will follow an up and down route along the Southern Circuit through the Karanga Valley and up to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters).
Day 4: Karanga Camp (3,960 meters) to Barafu Camp (4,670 meters)
- Distance: 3.5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitant: High alpine zone
Day four is short climb from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp at 4,670 meters.Barafu Camp is very exposed to the elements, especially the gale force winds that are common at this altitude. You will arrive at the camp around lunchtime and after lunch you will relax but you will need to get to your bed early for your summit tonight and you be awoken around 23.
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,670 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
- Distance: 4.5km
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitant: Glacial zone and the all preceding zones
At 23:30 after being aweken with hot tea and chocolate you will commence hike towards slopes of Kibo.Around dawn you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) at the top of the crater rim where you will have a little rest before continue to the peak.From Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) it will take 1-2 hrs.
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
- Distance: 9km
- Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
- Habitant: Rainforest
Early in the morning after your breakfast you will start to descend down through the thick undergrowth of the lower slopes Mweka Gate.At the Gate you will be presented with your certificate for Uhuru Peak. It is customary to tip your trekking crew before being transported back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
