6 Days Western Breach Route

Day 0: Arrival

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met with our ground handling team and after greetings and introduction you will be transferred to your delightful accommodation in Arusha/Moshi for evening rest and overnight.

Day 1: Transfer to Umbwe gate + Trek from Umbwe gate to Umbwe cave Camp

Wake up early and after breakfast and briefings board a transfer car to the start point of your hike which will take us around 3hrs. The climb starts from Umbwe Gate (1,400 m.) The path follows a ridge between two deep valleys up through the dense montane forest. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! It’s a steep and rough walk up to our first camp, Umbwe Cave at 3,000 m.  [6-8 hours walking]                 

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco camp

The path gets steeper on this section, as you get out of the forest. One place it’s necessary to do a bit of climbing / scrambling past a 10-meter rock, but after that the path gets easier. The views start to open up, and the vegetation is now the typical moorland, with giant senecios around, and the icefields at Kibo is now clearly visible. Camp is in the Barranco valley (3,950 m.), which has spectacular views to both Kibo and the plains beneath. [4-6 hours walking.]      

Day 3: Barranco Camp – Lava Tower (4,600 m) – Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800 m)

Trek Distance: ~7 km |Hiking Time: 4–6 hours | Elevation Gain: +840 m | Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800 m)

This is a key acclimatization day. You hike through alpine desert terrain past the famous Lava Tower, where you rest and have lunch. Afterward, ascend further to Arrow Glacier Camp, located just below the Western Breach Wall.

Day 4: Arrow Glacier Camp – Summit (5,895 m) – Crater Camp (5,700 m)

Trek Distance: ~6.5 km (to Uhuru Peak and Crater Camp) | Hiking Time: 6–9 hours | Elevation Gain: +1,095 m to summit, then -195 m to Crater |Vegetation Zone: Arctic | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Crater Camp (5,700 m)

Summit attempt day! You start early (around 3–4 AM) to climb the Western Breach. This route is steep, with loose rocks and occasional ice patches (helmet and gaiters advised). After reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – the highest point in Africa – you descend slightly into the crater for a rare overnight stay near the Furtwängler Glacier.

Day 5: Crater Camp – Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

Trek Distance: ~12 km | Hiking Time: 5–7 hours | Elevation Loss: -2,600 m | Vegetation Zones: Arctic to Forest | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

After optional sunrise at Uhuru Peak (for those who missed it the day before), descend via Barafu Camp onto the Mweka Route. The path becomes easier as you go lower. You pass through alpine desert into moorland and eventually back to forest.

Day 6: Descend from Millenium Camp to Mweka gate + Transfer back to hotel   

A sustained descent on a well-constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m). Here we sign out from the national park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits ready to transfer you back to your hotel. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalisingly close! [4-6 hours walking]

The Western Breach is a steep, rocky, and less-traveled path that ascends directly to the crater rim of Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. Unlike the more popular Marangu or Machame routes that use Stella Point or Gilman’s Point to reach the summit, the Western Breach offers a more direct and technical ascent to Crater Camp—the highest campsite on Kilimanjaro at 5,790 meters.

The name “breach” refers to a volcanic rupture in the mountain’s crater rim, formed by ancient lava flows and glacial erosion. This breach provides a natural passage up the mountain’s western face.

The highlight (and greatest challenge) of this route is the steep rock wall known as the Western Breach Wall. It’s not technical in the sense of needing ropes or harnesses, but you’ll need to use your hands for scrambling over boulders and navigating narrow rock gullies.

The ascent from Arrow Glacier Camp to the crater rim takes around 5–7 hours, depending on conditions and acclimatization. The altitude gain is significant—about 1,000 meters—so a pre-acclimatized body is essential.

The Western Breach gained popularity in the 1990s among climbers looking for an alternative to the crowded standard routes. However, it became controversial following a tragic rockfall in 2006 that resulted in fatalities. This led to the temporary closure of the route.

After implementing additional safety measures and route modifications, the park authorities re-opened the Western Breach. Today, experienced and reputable operators can guide trekkers safely up this challenging path—but it remains off-limits to solo climbers and less-equipped teams.

Price Per Person in US Dollars

• $2,800 per person when Solo trekker
• $2,700 per person when 2 people treks together
• $2,600 per person when 3 people treks together
• $2,500  per person when 4 people treks together
• $2,400 per person when 5 people treks together
• $2,300  per person when 6+ people treks togethe8

What’s Includes

• Transport from/to park gate & airport transfer
• Pre and post climb accommodation (B&B) in Moshi
• Park, camping & rescue fees
• Mountain tent & mattress
• Professional English speaking guide(s), porters & chef
• breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Water; tea and coffee with meals

What’s not included

• Flights
• Lunch & dinner in Moshi
• Travel insurance
• Visa and passport fees
• Increases in park fees where applicable
• Personal equipment
• Sleeping bag
• Tips for guide(s), porters & cook
• Soda and Alcoholic beverage