Kilimanjaro climb · Private crew
Kilimanjaro: Umbwe Route, 7 Days
The steep, direct Umbwe Route with an extra acclimatisation day at Barranco and a climb to Lava Tower: still demanding, but a better chance of the summit. With a private crew.
- 7 days
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Private guide and crew
From$2,860per climber, group of six
Climb overview
Your climb at a glance
- Length7 days on the mountain
- SummitUhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- DifficultyChallenging
- DistanceAbout 57 km
- Starts and endsUmbwe Gate → Mweka Gate
- SleepingTents pitched by your crew
- Best monthsJan – Mar, Jun – Oct
- The steepest and most direct route, with very few other climbers.
- An extra acclimatisation day with a climb to Lava Tower.
- Joins the scenic southern circuit at Barranco.
- Private guide and porter crew throughout.
Where you walk
Route map
Your route, camp by camp
- 1Start Umbwe GateDay 1 · start · 1,600 m
- 2Umbwe Cave CampDay 1 · Night 1 · 2,940 m
- 3Barranco CampDay 2 · Night 2 · 3,960 m
- 4Lava TowerDay 3 · acclimatisation stop · 4,630 m
- 5Barranco CampDay 3 · Night 3 · 3,960 m
- 6Karanga CampDay 4 · Night 4 · 4,035 m
- 7Barafu CampDay 5 · Night 5 · 4,673 m
- 8Uhuru PeakDay 6 · summit · 5,895 m
- 9Mweka CampDay 6 · Night 6 · 3,100 m
- 10End Mweka GateDay 7 · finish · 1,640 m
Approximate route between camps.
Itinerary
Day by day
Register with the park, start at Umbwe Gate and climb steeply up a narrow ridge through the rainforest, using tree roots as steps in places, to Umbwe Cave Camp. Around 5–6 hours of walking.
TonightUmbwe Cave Camp (2,940m)Full boardKeep climbing the ridge into moorland, with Kibo straight ahead, then drop into the Barranco Valley to camp below the Barranco Wall. Around 4–5 hours of walking.
TonightBarranco Camp (3,960m)Full boardWalk up to Lava Tower (4,630 m) and come back down to Barranco to sleep a second night: climb high, sleep low. Around 4–5 hours of walking.
TonightBarranco Camp (3,960m)Full boardScramble up the Barranco Wall, easier than it looks and with no ropes, then follow the trail along the southern slopes to Karanga Camp. Around 4–5 hours of walking.
TonightKaranga Camp (4,035m)Full boardA short climb to Barafu, the base camp for the summit. Rest in the afternoon, eat early and sleep a few hours before the summit night. Around 4 hours of walking.
TonightBarafu Camp (4,673m)Full boardLeave around midnight and climb by headlamp to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), usually reaching the top around sunrise. Then descend all the way to Mweka Camp. Around 12–14 hours of walking.
TonightMweka Camp (3,100m)Full boardWalk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, collect your summit certificate and transfer back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
Want an extra acclimatisation day or a safari after the climb? Ask us to adjust it
Where you sleep
Camps on this climb
Mountain camp · 2,940m
Umbwe Cave Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,960m
Barranco Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
2 nightsMountain camp · 4,035m
Karanga Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,673m
Barafu Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,100m
Mweka Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 night
On every climb: a head guide, a cook, a waiter, a toilet porter and four porters per climber.
What it costs
Climb pricing
| Climb | 1 climber | 2 climbers | 3 climbers | 4 climbers | 5 climbers | 6+ climbersBest value | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private climb, full crew | $4,318 | $3,391 | $3,114 | $3,049 | $2,993 | $2,860 | Get quote |
- Per climber. Crew size depends on group size, so the price per person falls as more of you climb together.
- Deposit to confirm: 20% for camping safaris, 40% for lodge safaris.
The fine print
What the price covers
Included
- Your own guide and porter crew for the full climb
- Park entry & camping fees
- Tents, sleeping mats and camp meals throughout the trek
- Transfers between your hotel and the gates
- Summit certificate on completion
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Sleeping bag & personal trekking gear
- Tips for your guide and porter crew
- Travel & medical/evacuation insurance
Tipping your crew Tipping guide
- Head guideUS$20–25 per day
- Assistant guideUS$15–20 per day
- CookUS$15–20 per day
- Assistant cookUS$10–15 per day
- PorterUS$10–15 per day
In pictures
Photo gallery
Good to know
Questions about this climb
Do I need climbing experience?
No. It is a long walk at altitude with one easy scramble (the Barranco Wall). Good fitness and a steady pace matter more.
Which route should I choose?
Lemosho for the best acclimatisation and a quieter start. Machame for great scenery in fewer days. Marangu if you prefer huts to tents.
When is the best time to climb?
January to March and June to October are the driest months on the mountain.
What if I feel ill at altitude?
Your guide checks your oxygen and pulse every evening. If symptoms get worse, you descend with a member of the crew; going down is the treatment.
Is a sleeping bag included?
No. Bring a four-season bag, or ask us to rent one in Moshi.
How much should we tip the crew?
Roughly US$20–25 a day for the head guide and US$10–15 a day per porter. The full table is on our tipping page.
Before you go
What to pack
Mountain packing listSleeping and warmth
- Four-season sleeping bag (rated −10 °C or lower)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated down jacket for summit night
- Warm hat, gloves and buff
On your feet
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- Trekking poles
Gear
- Head torch with spare batteries
- 2–3 litres of water capacity
- Daypack of about 30 litres
Sun and health
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
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Make this climb your own
Tell us your dates and how many are climbing. We’ll send the plan back with your price, and add a safari or Zanzibar if you’d like.