6-Day Kilimanjaro climbing adventure: The Umbwe route via Barafu and Barranco Camps

DAY 1 UMBWE GATE ~ UMBWE FOREST CAMP

The climb commences at the small gate above Umbwe Village, then for an hour winds along a gentle track until a signboard announces “Umbwe”. Six hours ascending through the dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees, scrambling up steep sections of roots and rock will bring you to a forested campsite, with some caves nearby. No water available at this campsite, so you must carry from the gate all the water needed for drinking, food preparation and cleaning. Arrive to a hot dinner in your mess tent.

DAY 2 UMBWE FOREST CAMP ~ BARRANCO CAMP

You will be woken with a steaming cup of tea or coffee at around 6am, and then after breakfast continue steeply through the forest. Soon the taller trees will give way to Giant Erica and Heather, and the air will become drier. The ridge line forms steeply on this day, and on either side of the trail, the terrain drops away steeply. At some point the forest and the clouds will part to give you a fabulous view of Uhuru Peak, seemingly “overhead”. After lunch, you will encounter giant groundsels, seemingly guardians of untouched treasures. After 5 to 7 hours of trekking you reach camp.

DAY 3 BARRANCO CAMP ~ KARANGA CAMP

Today you trek to Karanga Valley Camp, at 13,000 feet, between Barranco and Barafu Camps. This day has proven to be very important for acclimatization. The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then traversing up and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face. You reach the Karanga Valley after 3-4 hours of trekking for a hot lunch.

DAY 4 KARANGA CAMP ~ BARAFU CAMP

From here the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight. Total trekking time is 4-5 hours, with a hot lunch upon reaching camp. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring early to your tent for rest and sleep.

DAY 5 BARAFU CAMP ~ UHURU PEAK ~ MWEKA CAMP

The steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 1am. The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers at early dawn. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, at Stella Point (at 19,000 ft), which marks the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Mweka Camp for the night.

DAY 6 MWEKA CAMP ~ MWEKA GATE

Descend straight to the gate (2-3 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates.