Northern Circuit Route
7 days / 6 nights
The Umbwe Route is widely regarded as the hardest trail, a tough vertical slog through the jungle, in places using the tree roots as makeshift rungs on a ladder. Because of the high risks involved with sleeping at Arrow Glacier camp and summiting via the Western Breach, all our Umbwe route hikes are re-routed, to join with the Machame route from night 2 on the mountain. On special request, we can assist with Umbwe route hikes attempting to summit using the Western Breach/Arrow Glacier path and overnight at the Crater camp (special supplement will apply).
Itinerary
DAY 1 :
ARRIVAL IN ARUSHA
& OVERNIGHT
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to your accommodation in Moshi. Participants will be given a briefing for the climb that starts the next day. We’ll help you thoroughly check your kit and equipment. We encourage you to get a good night’s sleep in comfort at the SG Resort
Meals: dinner
DAY 2:
ARUSHA (1500M) TO
UMBWE CAVE CAMP (2850M)
Hiking time: 6 Hours
Distance: Approximately 10.3 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
After breakfast, you will be driven to the Machame gate where registration formalities will be completed. From there, we proceed to the Umbwe Gate (1641m), passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, a glimpse of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The Umbwe Cave Camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.
Meals: breakfast, lunch dinner
DAY 3:
UMBWE CAVE CAMP (2850M) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3985M)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.3 km
Habitat: Moorland
Shortly after leaving the camp the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, you will have sightings of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you – etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.
Meals: breakfast, lunch dinner
DAY 4:
BARRANCO CAMP (3985M)
TO KARANGA CAMP (4040M)
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland / Semi desert
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall, we make our way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 05:
KARANGA CAMP (3963M)
TO BARAFU CAMP (4673M)
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare to start the summit later that night At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.
The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 06:
BARAFU CAMP (4673M)
TO UHURU PEAK (5895M)
TO MWEKA HUT (3100M)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
At midnight we start our journey to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your one hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest before heading down to Mweka hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. This is our last night on the mountain so enjoy the last dinner and a well-earned sleep.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7:
MWEKA CAMP (3090M)
ARUSHA (1500M)
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
Habitat: Forest
It will be a short 4 to 6 hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make the descent longer than planned. At Mweka gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village where you will be served a delicious hot lunch. Our vehicle awaits us here to drive us back to the SG Resort in Arusha for a long overdue, hot shower, our celebratory dinner and a very comfy bed.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
