Climb Kilimanjaro via Umbwe-Barafu Route with Berg Adventures
Umbwe-Barafu Route Itinerary
This Berg Adventures seven-day alternative to some of the more overcrowded Kili routes traverses the most beautiful sections of Kibo’s southern flanks. Reach the summit at Uhuru Point via Stella’s Point. The climb begins with a walk through pristine forest and includes two nights camped at the beautiful heights of Barranco to allow for acclimatization at the critical elevation of 12,800 feet.
Itinerary is for the climb only portion of your trip. Safari itineraries begin the day after your climb ends. See detailed descriptions of three-day and six-day safari options.
Day 1 – Depart North America.
Day 2 – Depart Europe. Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our BAI staff will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight Arusha.
Day 3 – Team orientation at 8 a.m. The morning is for packing and trip preparation. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax at the hotel or visit a local market and see the sights in the city of Arusha. Overnight Arusha.
Day 4 – Drive to the isolated Umbwe Gate entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park (5,440 ft.) and set off on the most beautiful and unspoiled forest route on Kilimanjaro to Umbwe Cave Camp (9,760 ft.) 5-6 hrs. Overnight Umbwe Cave Camp.
Day 5 – Climbing alongside steep forest gorges, our trail winds higher toward the timberline of Kilimanjaro. 
We arrive at Barranco Camp at the base of Kibo’s spectacular Breach Wall (12,800 feet) 5-6 hrs. This will be our camp for two nights as we acclimatize to the higher elevations and take time to enjoy one of the most remarkable mountain locations in the world. Overnight Barranco Camp.
Day 6 – Hiking with just a day pack is one of the most effective and enjoyable means of acclimatizing that we know. After breakfast we can set out on conditioning hikes to the Lava Tower (15,000 ft.) and beyond to Arrow Glacier or the Natural Bridge feature called “The Window” at the base of the Breach Wall. Our day will conclude with a second restful night at Barranco Camp. Overnight Barranco Camp.
Day 7 – A relatively short hiking day takes us across the Great Barranco to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft.) 3-4 hours. Beneath the massive Heim Glacier, Karanga Camp allows for more acclimatization and puts us in perfect position for our ascent to the highest reaches of Kibo. Overnight Karanga Camp.
Day 8 – We climb through the morning to a lunch stop at the busy Barafu Camp. After lunch we’ll continue upward another 800 vertical feet to the clean, open expanse of Kosovo, our Berg Adventures special-use campsite. After an early supper in our dining tent, the team will settle down for 8 hours of rest before beginning our climb to the summit (15,900 ft.) 5-6 hrs. Overnight Kossovo Camp.
Day 9 – Up just before midnight, we set off for the starlit ascent to Stella Point on the Crater Rim (19,000 ft.) From Stella it is a magnificent one-mile walk (1.5 kilometers) along the edge of the volcanic rim to the very top of Africa, Uhuru Point (19,340 ft.). After celebrating our success on the summit, we will descend back to Kosovo for lunch, then hike down the Mweka Trail to Mweka Camp at the top of the forest (10,000 ft.) 10-14 hrs. Overnight Mweka Camp.
Day 10 – The long descent continues as we travel through the forest to the park. After a festive and relaxing celebration with our mountain staff at the gate; our Land Cruisers will be waiting to take us to our hotel in Arusha for hot showers, cool drinks, great food, and a good night’s rest. 5-6 hrs. Overnight Arusha.
Day 11 – Depart Kilimanjaro international Airport
Day 12 – Arrive in North America