9-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the steep 6-day Umbwe Route.

Many people want to see everything that Tanzania has to offer. Tanzania has it all: amazing safaris where you can see Africa’s “Big Five,” climbing Kilimanjaro, or just relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. Good news: Adventure In The Wild Safaris can make a schedule just for you that includes everything you want to see and do.

This list of our most popular trips might give you some ideas. Some of our clients really enjoy taking it easy on one of Zanzibar’s beautiful beaches after an exciting tour. Would you also like that?

We are here to help you, whether you choose one of our famous Tanzania itineraries or want to make your own. Here you are! Get ready to enjoy Tanzania at your own pace, the way you like it!

9-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the steep 6-day Umbwe Route – Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Adventure In The Wild Safaris guide will be there to meet you. After the trip, he drops you off at your hotel where you can rest.
Getting ready for your climb: Before you start your climb, you meet your guide. He tells you about the climb and gives you important tips on what to wear, what to bring, and how to make it as easy as possible.

Day 2: Umbwe Route (1/6) | Umbwe Gate (1,600 m/5,249 ft) – Umbwe Cave Camp (2,900 m/9,514 ft)

Today, your driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the Umbwe Gate to finish the registration process. The first part of the Kilimanjaro climb goes through a thick jungle where you can hear and see many animals. The path gets steeper as you get closer to the Umbwe River. From the top, you can see Kibo Peak in the distance and deep slopes all around you. At Umbwe Cave Camp, the climb is over after 5 to 7 hours.

Day 3: Umbwe Route (2/6) | Umbwe Cave Camp (2,900 m/9,514 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft)

Now you are in the heather, leaving the jungle behind. There are rocks and valleys all around you. At the Umbwe Route Ridge, the climb gets harder. Near the Barranco Valley, it gets flatter again. You sleep at the Barranco Camp in the valley below the Barranco wall after a 4- to 5-hour walk. Dinner is served there.

Day 4: Umbwe Route (3/6) | Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft) – Barranco Wall (3,977 m/13,047 ft) – Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft)

You walk to the Barranco Wall this morning. From there, you can see Mount Meru to the right and Kibo volcano to the left. After that, there is a tougher path to Karanga Camp that has a lot of ups and downs. You get lunch and some time to rest when you get to camp. After that, you can take a 300-meter acclimatization walk to Barafu Camp. At night, you can go back down to Karanga Camp.

Day 5: Umbwe Route (4/6) | Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)

When you get to Barafu Camp on the fourth day on the mountain, you begin your climb to the top of Uhuru Peak. When you get to the camp around noon, have lunch and rest for a while. After that, take another walk to get used to the altitude to Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870 m) and then return to Barafu Camp. After a hot dinner, take it easy for the rest of the day and prepare to start the climb to the top of Kili at midnight.

Day 6: Umbwe Route (5/6) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)

You start your last push to Uhuru Peak around midnight. As you climb along good trails, your guide will keep an eye on you to make sure you’re staying healthy and mentally prepared for the high altitude. When you get to the top, you can see a beautiful sunrise over Africa. After celebrating at the top, go down to the nearby glacier. Then, go back through Barafu Camp and keep going down to Millennium Camp after a two-hour break.

Day 7: Umbwe Route (6/6) | Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel

There is a tropical jungle where Millennium Camp is located. Here, at a lower elevation, you feel relieved and proud that you made it to the top the day before. You walk to the end of the national park after breakfast, and then your driver takes you back to the hotel so you can rest after the hard climb.

Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

It’s time to go home now that your vacation is over. Have fun in Tanzania for a few more hours before our driver picks you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your trip home. Do you still want more? You can also add a few days of hiking or a trip to the beach to your Kilimanjaro trip!