Kilimanjaro: Shira Route
The Shira route, approaches Kilimanjaro's summit from the west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before heading beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes. ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Arusha, Tanzania; Tanzania
- Trip Length:
- 6 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Group Retreat, Mancation, Summer Vacation
Detailed Trip Description
The Shira route, approaches Kilimanjaro's summit from the west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before heading beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes. The remainder of the route joins in with the routes from Lemosho and Machame. Your starting altitude is higher than your end point altitude.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Tanzania
Shira Gate to Shira Camp.
Hotel
Book into your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for overnight and briefing by your guide.
Camping
Shira Gate to Shira Camp.
2300m to 3840m.
7550ft to 12,600ft.
Distance: 18km.
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
The drive from Moshi to the trailhead takes about 3 hours. We walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Shira Camp.
Day 2 - Tanzania
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp.
Hiking
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
.
3840m to 4630m to 3860m.
12,600ft to 12,700ft.
Distance: 15 km.
Walking Time: 5-7 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 4876 meters (15,997 ft). We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860 meters (12,664 ft).
Camping
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 3 - Tanzania
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.
Hiking
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.
3860m to 4200m.
12,700ft to 13,800ft.
Distance: 7 km.
Hiking Time: 4 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.
Day 4 - Tanzania
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp.
Hiking
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp.
3860m to 4600m.
12,700ft to 15,100ft.
Distance: 13km.
Hiking Time: 8 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 14,770 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Camping
We continue up to the Barafu Hut. 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 - Tanzania
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut.
Hiking
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut .
4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m).
15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft).
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent.
Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent.
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
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 (5685m / 18,652 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. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. 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.
Camping
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 - Arusha
Mweka Camp to Moshi.
Hiking
Mweka Camp to Moshi.
3100m to 1830m.
10,200ft to 6000ft.
Distance: 15 km.
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: 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, continue another hour to Mweka Village.
Private Car Service
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
Not the trip you were looking for?
Click here to find experts to book your trip (it's free!)
Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist
Trips you may also be interested in
- 8 Day Tanzania Highlights Safari
- A high-value road safari featuring both luxury tented camps and traditional safari lodges, this memorable Tanzanian safari offers two nights in the undiscovered wilderness of Tarangire National Park, a sensational three-night stay in the world-famous Serengeti National Park, and a visit to the ‘eighth wonder of the world', the magnificent ...
- 12 Day Tanzania Safari & Beach
- A comprehensive Tanzania safari featuring both luxury tented camps and traditional safari lodges. This memorable safari offers two nights in the undiscovered wilderness of Tarangire National Park, a sensational three-night stay in the world-famous Serengeti National Park, and a visit to the ‘eighth wonder of the world', the magnificent Ngorongoro ...
- 16 Day Game & Gorillas
- This is the ultimate safari for wildlife lovers! Staying in very comfortable lodges, we visit the major parks of Kenya & Tanzania including Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara in Kenya and Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Taragire in Tanzania. We then head out to Rwanda and the Parc ...
- 15 Day East Africa Romance Safari
- A great private safari for two with a combination of East Africa's parks and the wonderful warm and sunny beaches of the Spice Island of Zanzibar. This cross-border safari includes Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara National Parks before crossing the border with a visit to the shores of Africa's ...
