6-Days Shira Route

Mount Kilimanjaro/Shira Route

• ideal for those who are confident in their ability to acclimatize to altitude, and to walk over steeper paths for extended periods.
• the route merges with Lemosho at Shira 2.
• Shira offers a higher starting point compared to Lemosho and poorer acclimatization
• Fully catered camping only

The Shira Route is a path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. What is unique about Shira is that the first section of the trail is not hiked, but rather driven.

Day 1 Shira Gate (1830m) - Shira camp 2 (3840m)

Hiking time: 5-7h
Habitat: Montane forest

Register at Londrosi gate and continue driving up to Moram (11,800ft/3,600m), the trek starts on the Shira plateau for a flat and short hike to Shira 1 Camp (11,800ft/3,600m). Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.

Day 2 Shira 2 camp (3840m) – Lava Tower(4630m) – Baranco camp (3976m)

Hiking time: 6.5h
Habitat: semi desert

After breakfast, leave Shira behind and head up towards the Lava Tower(15,190ft/4,630m) where we will have lunch before descending into the Barranco Valley(13,045ft/3,976m) for camp. Enjoy the amazing sunset on Kibo and the Great Barranco Wall.

Day 3 Baranco Camp(3976m) – Karanga camp (4200m)

Hiking time: 4h
Distance: Approximately 7 kms
Habitat: Alphine desert

After breakfast, leave Barranco camp and scramble up the spectacular Barranco Wall.
Once over the wall, it is an undulating walk to Karanga Camp. Enjoy the views of Kibo above and the plains below, from this point you can see Moshi Town far below.

Day 4 Karanga Camp (4200m) - Barafu camp (4673m)

Hiking time: 7.5h
Distance: Approximately 13kms
Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast head upwards towards the final camp at Barafu(15,330ft/4,673m). This day is steep but short and you will have a hot lunch. Enjoy the short day, as you will wake around 11 pm to leave for the summit. Mawenzi dominates the view from Barafu.
Day 5 – the big day (Summit Day)
Barafu camp (4673m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3068m)

Hiking time: 8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 - 8h to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kms ascent and 23 kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Wake at 11pm to get ready for summit attempt. Hike upwards on very steep trail in the dark, reaching Stella point(18,958ft/5,745m) after ~6hrs at dawn. Continue on the more gradual incline to Uhuru Peak (19,341ft/5,895m), 1hr from Stella point. After pictures and congratulations, head back down to Barafu for 2-3 hrs rest and lunch before continuing down to Mweka camp (10,065ft/3,068m).
Day 6 Mweka camp (3068m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)

Hiking time: 3h
Distance: Approximately 15 kms.
Habitat: Forest

Final day on the mountain, head from Mweka Camp down through the forest to Mweka gate(5,380ft/1,640m) for certificates. Congratulations, you made it! Duration 2-3hrs. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!

• Walking Moshi city (50$ pp)

The following meals include:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

• Gluten-Free
• Hallal
• Fruitarian
• Lactose-Free

• Parking fees (for non-residents)
• All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
• Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
• All accommodations mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrades)
• A professional driver/guide/porters
• All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
• All Taxes/VAT

• International flights (from/to the client's home country)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips: tipping guideline of US$ 10.00
• per person per day for the guide and crew
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
• Government imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees

• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival