6 Days Umbwe Route – Mount Kilimanjaro Climb

Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) | Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) | Hiking time: 5 hours | Habitat: Montane forest 
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the park gate your guide and porters will meet you. You sign the register before you enter the park and take your first step in accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

(first) camp (2940m) | Barranco camp (3950m) | Hiking time: 6 hours | Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands 
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you - etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.

Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) Karanga Camp (3930m) Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert 
After breakfast you will start your hike towards the great Barranco wall. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro's little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. Climbing this part takes about 1hour and a half and you turn towards the great Barr

anco wall (4200m), then a steep descent for about 15 minutes and up a few small hills before you reach Karanga Valley. This is the last water point on this route. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black.

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3930m) | Barafu (4600m) | Hiking time: 3 hours | Distance: About 6 km | Habitat: Semi desert. 
From the Karanga camp steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring a scramble lead up to Barafu Camp (4600m). This day will be the shortest by far. After reaching Barafu Camp you will have hot lunch and a rest before an early dinner and much needed sleep.