Kilimanjaro
Umbwe
Route
This is the most direct and a very scenic route. The
approach is on the western side of the mountain up the steep Western
Breach and is suitable for experienced trekkers. You enter the crater at
the Great West Notch (5650 m) and need another two hours to reach Uhuru
Peak. There are no huts on route so you have to camp. It is possible to do
the climb in five days (four nights) but our program includes one extra
day for acclimatization at Barranco hut (3600 m). This extra day greatly
increases the chances of reaching the summit and also makes the climb a
more enjoyable experience. Summit day on this route is quite demanding as
the decent is along the Mweka route on the other side of the mountain and
you should be prepared for 15 hours of strenuous walking.
| Day | Outline Itinerary |
| 1 | Fly from home country to Kilimanjaro airport. Overnight in Moshi. |
| 2 | Drive to Umbwe Gate (1400 m). Hike to Forest Caves (2850 m). |
| 3 | Forest Caves to Barranco Hut (3950 m).. |
| 4 | Rest and acclimatization day at Barranco. Daytrip up the Barranco Wall towards the Heim Glacier. |
| 5 |
Barranco Hut to Arrow Glacier (4800 m). |
| 6 | Summit day! Start early around 1 AM to reach Great West Notch (5650 m) where you enter the crater before sunrise. You cross the crater floor past the northern icefields and climb up to Uhuru Peak (5896 m). Return to down the Mweka route to Mweka Hut (3100 m). |
| 7 | Mweka Hut to Mweka Village (1500 m). Drive back to hotel in Moshi. |
| 8 | Shopping/sightseeing in Moshi and return to home country. |
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