6 Days Umbwe Route
6 Days | 5 Nights
Trip Days
Destinations
Nalemoru Gate, Simba Camp, Kikelewa Camp, Mawenzi Tarn Camp, Kibo Hut, Uhuru Peak, Horombo Hut & Marangu Gate.
Accommodation
Camp
Full itinerary
Day By Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nalemoru Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation: 6,398 ft (1,950 m) to 8,530 ft (2,600 m) | Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Montane Forest
Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins after a scenic drive from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi to the Nalemoru Gate, where the Rongai Route starts. After completing registration, you’ll embark on a gentle trek through farmlands and pine forests. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including colobus monkeys. As the day progresses, you’ll continue toward Simba Camp, where the terrain starts to change, offering beautiful views of the Kenyan plains.
Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Elevation: 8,530 ft (2,600 m) to 11,811 ft (3,600 m) | Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours | Habitat: Moorland
After an early breakfast, you’ll resume your trek with a gradual ascent through the heather and moorland zone. The trail becomes more rugged and the views more dramatic as you ascend higher. You’ll stop for lunch at Second Cave, where you’ll have your first clear sight of Kibo Peak. The journey continues to Kikelewa Camp, where the landscape transforms into an alpine desert with impressive views of Mawenzi Peak.
Day 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Elevation: 11,811 ft (3,600 m) to 14,160 ft (4,315 m) | Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today’s trek is shorter but steeper, as you leave the moorland behind and enter the alpine desert zone. The rugged landscape is breathtaking, and you’ll approach Mawenzi Tarn Camp, nestled under the towering Mawenzi Peak. Once at camp, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the area and acclimatize to the altitude while enjoying the serene views.
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 14,160 ft (4,315 m) to 15,430 ft (4,703 m) | Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today, you’ll cross the lunar landscape of the saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The terrain is barren, scattered with volcanic rocks, giving the area a unique, otherworldly feel. The trek is steady, leading you to Kibo Hut, the final base camp before the summit. You’ll arrive in the early afternoon, giving you time to rest and prepare for the challenging summit attempt that begins later that night.
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, then Descent to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 15,430 ft (4,703 m) to 19,341 ft (5,895 m) (Uhuru Peak), then down to 12,205 ft (3,720 m) (Horombo Hut) | Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles (ascent and descent combined)
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours | Habitat: Arctic, Alpine Desert
Your summit day begins around midnight with a challenging push to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. The climb is steep, with loose volcanic scree underfoot, but your efforts are rewarded as you watch the sunrise over Africa from the top of Kilimanjaro. From Gillman’s Point, you’ll continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the continent. After soaking in the views at the summit, you’ll descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut for the night.
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation: 12,205 ft (3,720 m) to 6,046 ft (1,843 m) | Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours | Habitat: Rainforest
On your final day, you’ll descend through the moorland and rainforest zones, enjoying the lush greenery and wildlife along the way. Upon reaching Marangu Gate, you’ll check out and receive your Kilimanjaro climbing certificate. A vehicle will then transfer you back to Arusha or Moshi, where you can relax and reflect on your incredible journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro Trekking
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