Kilimanjaro Trekking Shira Route
The Shira Route is used by very few mountain visitors who climb Kilimanjaro. It has been largely replaced by the Lemosho Route, which is almost identical, but starts lower down.A long approach drive to the west with stunning views of the epic highlands brings you to Shira Gate at 2250 meters.
This is where you start your trek till you reach 3050 meters in remote heathland, but the trail can become impassable in wet weather. You need some previous acclimatization to begin at this height. It is a tough seven-day climb, with a high possibility of early altitude sickness since you start high and camp at Forest Camp at the same height on the first night. Shira has a low summit success rate as being one of the shortest routes up and down the summit (56 kilometers) though we always offer it with an extra acclimatization day to increase your probability.
ITINERARY, PRICE, INCLUDE & EXCLUDE :
Arrival:
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
-
DAY 1: LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP •Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft •Distance: 6 km •Hiking Time:3-4 hours •Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
DAY 2: FOREST CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA CAMP 2
•Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 12,500ft
•Distance: 18 km
•Hiking Time 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Moorland
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. From here, it is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP 2 TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT
•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP TO MOSHI
•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
6 days shira price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2280 | $ 2070 | $ 1960 | $ 1870 |
Day 1: Starting Point (3,600m/12,100ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,500m11, 500ft)
Distance: 4km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 1 to 2 hours
Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Londorossi Gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (the drive takes 3 hours). Arrive at the gate then complete all the park entry formalities. Enjoy lunch which will be served before continue drive for about 1hrs further up to where you’re hiking trail begins (Starting Point). The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until you reach Shira 1 Camp.
Day 2: Shira 1 Camp (3,500m11, 500ft) – Shira 2 Camp (3,900m/12,800ft)
Distance: 10km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 5 to 6 hours
On this day, you’ll get to cross the Shira Ridge by traversing its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. You’ll find that the walking is much more easy and leisurely as the terrain is comparatively flatter. You’ll enjoy the views of the Great Rift Valley and nearby Mount Meru.
Reach the junctions between Moir and Shira 2 camp and continue to the main trail and get to Shira 2 Camp.
Arrive at the camp for lunch then depending on the weather, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon followed by dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp (3,900m11, 500ft) – Lava Tower (4,600m/15,090ft) – Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft)
Distance: 12km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 6 to 7 hours
After having your breakfast, you’ll start an important day for acclimatization by ascent to Lava Tower Today. In the distance, you can get sightings of Kibo which will encourage you to continue uphill. After making it to the Lava Tower at 4600 meters, you’ll have lunch break and acclimatize properly with the altitude. Then a downward journey to Barranco Camp will follow.
This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea on how your body reacts to changes in Altitude.
As you ascend, you’ll notice a sharp change in scenery and suddenly you’ll be surrounded by giant Senecias and relatively smaller Lobelia plants.
The Trek will lead you to beautiful and green Barranco Camp. From here, you can get a good view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft) – Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100)
Distance: 7 km
Environment: Alpine Desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand.
The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy
Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 4 to 5 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.
Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft) to Barafu Camp (4,673m15, 330ft)
Distance: 4km
Environment: Alpine desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – the Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry deserted terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side.
After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,673m/15,330) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Millennium Camp (3,950m/12,950ft) –Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft)
Distance: 18 km
Environment: Alpine desert/stone scree/ice-capped summit/Montane forest
Time: 14 to 16 hours
You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight. Ascend to the Stella Point which is located at the rim of Kilimanjaro’s crater. From there, you can see the sun rise over the peak of Mawenzi, and after a short break, you’ll ascend further to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Descending from the peak will lead you to Barafu camp for a short rest, after the meal and some rest, and then continue down to Mweka camp to sleep overnight.
Depends with how you will be feeling, you will sleep at Millennium camp instead, so less descent today, but means more descent tomorrow.
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650m/54,200ft) – Moshi (900m/2,950ft)
Distance: 10km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 3 to 4 hours
The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after your last breakfast on the mountain followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 3 to 4 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you to drive back to the Hotel accommodation in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.
7 days Shira price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2290 | $ 2080 | $ 1970 | $ 1870 |
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek. Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).