Climb Kilimanjaro via Umbwe Circuit Route with Berg Adventures
Umbwe Northern Circuit Route Itinerary
The Umbwe Trail through the forest zone of Kilimanjaro is legendary as being the most isolated, beautiful and challenging approach to the upper mountain. Acclimatization will be critical for our success in reaching our Crater Camp 18,700 feet, spending the night there and reaching the top of the mountain at Uhuru Peak, at 19,340 feet.
Berg Adventures has done the Umbwe Trail many times and we find that it is not as difficult as many people imagine. It is steeper than the other forest trails, but it is also easier to walk on the Umbwe than on other trails because it is much less travelled and crowded. And the beauty is unmatched.
Day 1 – Depart from home country.
Day 2 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. BAI trip starts.
- Altitude at Arusha: 4,500ft/1,371m
- Overnight: Arusha, Mount Meru Hotel
Welcome to Tanzania!
Day 3 – Team orientation in the morning, packing and trip preparation; spend the afternoon visiting the markets of Arusha with your guides, or sleep off jet lag.
- Altitude at Arusha: 4,500ft/1,371m
- Overnight: Arusha, Mount Meru Hotel
A guide gives packing advice.
Visiting a market in Arusha
Day 4 – 1 ½ hour transfer by Land Cruiser to the Umbwe Gate entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. The emptiest and most beautiful forest trail on Kilimanjaro will lead us to our first camp, Umbwe Cave Camp.
- Altitude at Umbwe Cave Camp: 9,760ft/2975m
- Distance: 6 mi/9.5 kmTrekking Time: 6-8 Hours
- Overnight: Umbwe Cave Camp
We begin our climb in the forest
To Cave Camp we go
Day 5 – Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp, elevation 13,080ft/3,985m. The camp is beneath the spectacular Breach Wall, some of the most thrilling views on the Kibo circuit are here.
- Altitude at Barranco Base Camp: 13,080ft/3987m
- Trekking Time: 4 – 6 hours
- Trekking Distance: 3mi/5km
- Overnight: Barranco Base Camp
Thrilling views as we leave the forest
Beautiful scenery of the scrub lands
Day 6 – Today we will hike to Lava Tower.
- Altitude at Lava Tower: 14,900ft/4542m
- Trekking Time: 3 hours
- Trekking Distance: 2mi/3.5km
- Overnight: Lava Tower Camp
Rocking our stylish helmets
The Lava Tower
Day 7 – We will hike from Lava Tower to Pofu Camp 13,200ft/4,025m.
- Altitude at Pofu Camp: 13,200ft/4,025m
- Trekking Time: 5 – 7 hours
- Trekking Distance: 8mi/13km
- Ovenight: Pofu Camp
A perfect place to reflect
Day 8 – Today is a gradual walk no hills. Our destination is Third Cave Camp, on the Rongai Trail.
- Altitude at Third Cave Camp: 12,713ft/3,875m
- Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Trekking Distance: 6mi/9.5km
- Overnight: Third Cave Camp
Getting comfortable at camp
Showers on Kilimanjaro!
Day 9 – Today you will cross through the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, our destination will be the old Outward Bound School Hut where we will set up camp.
- Altitude at School Hut: 15,584ft/4,750m
- Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Trekking Distance: 3mi/5km
- Overnight: School Hut
Climbing through the alpine desert
The summit is drawing near
Day 10 – We climb during the daylight hours to Berg Adventures Crater Camp, surrounded by walls of glacial ice at 18,700ft/5,700m. Camp will already be established when we arrive.
- Altitude at BAI Crater Camp: 18,700ft/5,700m
- Trekking Time: 5 – 6 hours
- Trekking Distance: 4mi/6.5km
- Overnight: Crater Camp
Day 11 – Summit Day! Summit will be only 1-11/2 hour from Crater Camp. After a beautiful sunrise we will descend to Mweka Camp (10,000ft/3,407m) at the top of the forest.
- Altitude at Mweka Camp: 10,000ft/3,407m
- Trekking Time: 9 hours including ascent to summit
- Trekking Distance: 8mi/13km
- Overnight: Mweka Camp
Summit Day!
Day 12 – We walk through the forest to the park gate, where our Land Cruisers are waiting to take us back to Arusha. After a festive and relaxing celebration with our mountain staff at the gate, we will return to our hotel in Arusha for hot showers and comfortable beds.
- Altitude: 4,500ft/1,371m
- Trekking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Trekking Distance: 4mi/7km
- Overnight: Arusha, Mount Meru Hotel
A party including acrobats and delicious food welcomes us off the mountain.
Day 13 – Depart Kilimanjaro International Airport. BAI trip ends.
Day 14 – Arrive home