Umbwe Uplift – Kilimanjaro’s Most Direct Route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), a friendly staff member from Serengeti Landmark Tours will be there to welcome you. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you can relax after your journey before beginning your Umbwe Uplift adventure.

In the evening, you will have a safari briefing, where our team will go over your itinerary, answer any questions, and ensure you are well-prepared for your Umbwe Uplift experience. Get a good night’s rest—your unforgettable safari begins tomorrow.

Accommodation

✓  Name: Tulia lodge
✓  Type: Hotel
✓  Level: Mid-range

Your guide and climbing support crew will arrive at your hotel in the morning to begin your Umbwe Uplift journey. Introductions and the final brief equipment check will precede your drive to the Umbwe Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. This entrance, situated at 1,800 m / 5,904 ft above sea level, is where your trek starts. The chief guide will finalize the permits and registration for search and rescue services before your Umbwe Uplift ascent begins.

Your first day of trekking is meant to bring you to Umbwe Camp for your first overnight camping. Climbing up to 2,850 m / 9,348 ft is a long haul with a significant increase in altitude, so find the right pace for the whole group and stick with it. As this part of the Umbwe route goes through the rainforest, there is a high probability of rain showers—do not forget your raincoat! Your support crew will have prepared the camp and dinner by the time you arrive, ensuring a smooth and comfortable Umbwe Uplift experience.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
• To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and inform your guide immediately if you notice any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Trekking time:

5-7 hours

Distance:

11 km (6.8 miles)

This day starts with an early wake-up and a filling breakfast before your team begins the Umbwe Uplift trek to Barranco Camp. The rainforest will quickly give way to moorland, and if it is not too cloudy you will be able to see Meru Volcano for the first time along your Umbwe Uplift journey.

This day's trek is moderate in length, and around lunchtime it is expected that you will reach Barranco Camp (3,900 m / 12,792 ft), which is nestled inside a huge volcanic fault. Lunch will be provided here, and then you will have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the day—an important part of acclimatization during your Umbwe Uplift experience

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

6 km (3.7 miles)

After breakfast, your group will depart Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,628 ft) and continue your Umbwe Uplift journey toward Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,088 ft).

This route offers a challenge for climbers, and many find this day more physically demanding than previous days on the Umbwe Uplift. Therefore, your team will enjoy a well-deserved lunch break at Lava Tower.

After lunch and a rest, your group will climb slightly higher and then descend to Moir Hut Camp, continuing your acclimatization process on the Umbwe Uplift.

Trekking time:

5-7 hours

Distance:

14 km (8.7 miles)

On this day of your Umbwe Uplift journey, you will have a rather long but relatively easy trek. Climbing out of Moir Valley (where you camped for the night) is a steep but short ascent, and then the rest of the day you will hike around the northern slope of Kilimanjaro as part of your Umbwe Uplift experience. Most of the day includes gradual up-hill and down-hill sections, with no extreme altitude gains.

This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli valleys, making this stretch of the Umbwe Uplift both scenic and rewarding.

Trekking time:

5-7 hours

Distance:

12 km (7.4 miles)

You will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro as part of your Umbwe Uplift journey and stop for the night at 3rd Cave Camp, where the route meets up with the classic Rongai route. This stage of the Umbwe Uplift is shorter than the previous day, allowing your body to recover and adjust more comfortably.

By this time, your body should have become well acclimatized to the altitude of 3,800 m / 12,464 ft, which will contribute to your overall well-being and readiness for the next phase of the Umbwe Uplift adventure.

Trekking time:

4-6 hours

Distance:

8 km (4.9 miles)

On this day of your Umbwe Uplift journey, you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,800 m / 15,744 ft). The trekking itself is not very hard, but it is important to choose an appropriate pace to conserve your strength for the final push on the Umbwe Uplift to Kilimanjaro's summit.

When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep early, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much water as possible. This night you will wake in the dark and begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,336 ft), marking the unforgettable climax of your Umbwe Uplift adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

On the summit night, your safety is our number-one concern; therefore, we will assign one guide for every two climbers. The responsibility of a guide is to watch the climber's health as they summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). The climb starts at School Hut Summit Camp(4,800 m /15,744 f) around midnight, Technically, it is an easy climb, but because of the high altitude, it will feel more strenuous.

Upon successful summiting, you can walk to the nearest glaciers. The group then descends to Barafu Camp for a two-hour lunch and rest break. You will then continue to descend to Millenium Camp (3,950 m /12,956 f) where you will spend the night.

PLEASE NOTE:Please keep in mind that 9/10 accidents occur during descent. Mind your step to avoid potential falls, injuries, and damaged toes.

Trekking time:

10-13 hours

Distance:

16 km (9.9 miles)

Millennium Camp sits amidst a tropical rainforest. The lower altitude and feelings of accomplishment from having reached the summit make for a good night’s rest. Hot breakfast is followed by your final descent to the park’s exit gate: Mweka Gate (1,640 m /5,379 f). This is the final stop before you are taken to our office to receive your summit certificates. It also provides a good opportunity to recap the adventure with your support team and take a final team photo. Finally, you will be taken to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

12 km (7.4 miles)

Accommodation

✓  Name: Tulia lodge
✓  Type: Hotel
✓  Level: Mid-range

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE: Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.