Compared to the Machame Path, this route is both steeper and shorter. You carry on with the other Machame trekkers after arriving at the Barranco Hut. The Mweka track is used for the descent.
People with limited experience traveling at altitude shouldn’t choose this route because it is so quick and direct.

Day 1 – Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp

Driving to the Umbwe Gate from Moshi (about 1 hour). Start the ascent through the rain forest while carrying a packed lunch. Additionally, you can view certain animals, such as Colobus monkeys.

You will take a lunch break halfway up the trail and arrive at the Bivouac Camp (2940m) in the late afternoon or early evening.

Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 – Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

After breakfast, we will leave the wooded glades and travel to Barranco Camp through an ascent on open moorland. Exotic flora like giant lobelia and groundsel can be found in the moorland. The trek offers a breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro as you ascend.

Up until you reach Barranco Camp, the trail flattens out and descends into the Barranco Valley. You can camp here with a beautiful view of the Great Barranco Wall in the east, the Western Breach, and a nearby creek.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

We leave Barranco after breakfast and proceed over a ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the intersection with the Mweka Trail.
It is typical for hikers to begin experiencing the affects of the altitude at this point in the trek, including headaches and shortness of breath.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

We keep going until we reach Barafu Camp. The South Circuit, which gives views of the summit from numerous viewpoints, will be finished.
We set up camp here, take a nap, eat dinner, and get ready for the summit day.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

We shall proceed to the peak between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers very early in the morning. In order to reach Stella Point on the crater rim, we shall move northwest and climb through steep stone scree. The hardest part of the walk both physically and mentally is this section.
We’ll take a quick break at Stella, where we’ll be rewarded with the most breathtaking sunrise ever.

On your hour-long journey from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit and the highest point on the African continent, you can run into snow the entire way.

After lunch at Barafu, we start our descent from the mountain by going straight down to the Mweka Camp. For the loose gravel coming down, gaiters and trekking poles can be useful. We reach Mweka Camp and take in our final night on the mountain.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

We continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate after breakfast so you can pick up your summit certificates there. It could be muddy and damp at lower altitudes. Trekking poles and gaiters will be useful. Most likely, there will be enough to wear: shorts and t-shirts (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Continue on for another hour from the gate to Mweka Village. You will be met by a car at the Mweka gate and driven back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Breakfast