9-day trip, climbing Kilimanjaro via the steep 6-day Umbwe Route. There are several ways to get to the top of Kilimanjaro, but the Umbwe path is the shortest. As a result, the daily rise in elevation is very high. The trail goes steeply through the valley and up to the top. This tough path is also called the “Double Whiskey Route” because it requires a lot from your body. Climbers can only use the Umbwe route if they have been to a similar level before and know how their body responds to such a big drop in elevation.

Of course, you can and should add another day to the Umbwe trip if you want to. For more chances to avoid altitude sickness, you should add one more day to your trip. This will give your body more time to get used to the higher elevation.

Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
Day 2: Umbwe Route (1/6) | Umbwe Gate (1,600 m/5,249 ft) – Umbwe Cave Camp (2,900 m/9,514 ft)
Day 3: Umbwe Route (2/6) | Umbwe Cave Camp (2,900 m/9,514 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft)
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)
Day 5: Umbwe Route (4/6) | Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)
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)
Day 7: Umbwe Route (6/6) | Millenium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel
Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Tanzania Zanzibar Safari gives a one-of-a-kind service during the climb.

The hardest thing you can do is climb Kilimanjaro. Little things can make a big difference, that’s why we send you up with trained guides, porters, and a cook. The people who work on the Umbwe road take care of you by checking on your health twice a day and giving you tasty food. Does that sound like too much? Not if you want to get to the top! Because we know that altitude sickness can sneak up on you and that good eating is important to keep you going on a tough climb.

You can also get a lot of information from us to help you get ready for your climb via the Umbwe way. It tells you about Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, how to get ready, and what you can buy or rent. Another thing we want to bring up is that we work with the Kilimanjaro Responsible Travel Organization (KRTO). That means that while we climb, we look out for our team and the mountain. This way, you can climb without worrying. Are you ready for an event you’ll never forget?

*We can send you the menu ahead of time if you’d like to see it.

How fit do you have to be to go up Kilimanjaro the Umbwe Way?

Kilimanjaro is very hard to climb because of its high elevation, fast ascent rate, and changing weather. You will walk for six to seven hours every day on average when you climb. It is definitely possible if you are healthy and fit. You can do many things to improve your chances of making it to the top and to make sure you enjoy the hike.

Take your time. Allow your body time to adjust and get used to the altitude by hiking slowly.
Get ready. Also, being in good shape helps a lot with the climb. Hiking a few months before the climb is a great way to prepare, especially walks that last more than one day. But running and other physical activities are also good ways to get ready.

Add one more day. There is no way to know ahead of time who will get altitude sickness. This risk will go down if you climb for one more day. Because the climb is spread out over more days, your body has more time to get used to being taller. We really think you should do this to improve your chances of getting to the top.

Day by day breakdown

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Tanzania Zanzibar Safari 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!