Umbwe Route Trek

Elevation: 9514 ft - 13044 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 6 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Heath

On the second day, the trail slowly starts becoming more rocky and bare undergrowth with occasional mossy trees. The higher up we go, the more often the view of Kilimanjaro bursts through. It flattens when we reach the Barranco Valley; from Umbwe Ridge, the path starts descending on the route through the spectacularly different Senecio Forest to the Barranco Camp.

Elevation: 9,498 ft - 11,500 ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 8 km | 5 miles
Habitat: Heath

We follow the trail as it skirts the edge of the rainforest and enters the tropical savannah. The landscape resembles the Serengeti, with the trail winding its way around massive Outward Bound-type rocks, heather, and tall grasses. Still headed uphill, we cross numerous small streams as the vegetation thins out, becoming more rolling hills and less rainforest. After several hours of walking, we reach the broad expanse of the Shira Ridge, from which we trace a broad, gentle path leading to Shira 1 Camp. Here, across the plateau, we can see Kibo for the first time.

Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We drop down into a gorge to the bottom of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we rise up the non-technical but precipitous, almost 900 ft wall. From this summit of the Barranco Wall we traverse a succession of hills and valleys until we drop abruptly into Karanga Valley. One final steep rise up delivers us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day intended for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,106 ft. to 15,331 ft.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Leaving Karanga, hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail onward and up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit and have amazing views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day. From this point on, both peaks-that of Mawenzi and that of Kibo-are visible.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
Our summit push begins around midnight. The most mentally and physically demanding portion of the trek looms in front of us. The wind and cold at this altitude and hour are intense. We now start going uphill in the dark, with short frequent stops. At Stella Point-18,900 ft, a spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi Peak greets us as one of the most spectacular views you're likely to see. We finally arrive at Uhuru Peak-the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent.

After a celebration brunch at the summit we start descending having reasonably direct route downwards to Mweka Camp, with a lunchtime stop at Barafu. The rocky trail may be hard on the knees and trek poles useful. Mweka Camp is in the upper forest, so mist or rain is to be expected from the late afternoon onwards.

In the evening, the last dinner is served on the mountain, and a well-deserved night's rest.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest

On our final day, we make the descent to Mweka Gate, where we pick up our summit certificates. The trail can be wet and muddy at these lower elevations. From Mweka Gate, we continue for another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will meet us to drive back to our hotel in Moshi.