Shira route is located to the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro that starts in green healthy plants, fertile rainforest. It is the first ecological zone you will encounter way up to Kilimanjaro. The route heads up Mti Mkubwa, shira one, across the Shira Plateau, which was Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Then, we make our way north East to Shira II Hut, which serves as a great acclimatization day due to short hikes
Next, we climb high up and over Lava Tower before dropping into Barranco Valley, one of the prettiest areas on the entire trail. We climb the intimidating Barranco Wall and then circle along the southern circuit to Karanga and high camp Barafu Hut which is base campsite and rest for the summit.
The summit attempt is made from Barafu in the early morning hours, often during the full moon. This is the coldest area right on starting, windiest section of your adventure. But once the sun comes up, so can most of your extra layers. After the summit, the descent follows to Barafu again then Mweka trail to mweka hut, this will be begning the end your trek in Kilimanjaro, Please click the link below to get full Itinerary.
DAY-1 : MOSHI TOWN-LONDOROSSI GATE TO SHIRA ONE.
Starting elevation 900m Moshi Town.
Ending elevation 1800m Londorosi Gate.
Altitude gain 900m.
Driving distance 85kms.
Driving hours 2-3 Hours.
In the morning after breakfast we will departure Moshi and drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Lemosho gate, as we arrived Lemosho Gate we will make the registration for our Kilimanjaro trekking.
Here it will take a little bit time before the team of Guides, Chefs and Porters, start trekking , because they have to sort out each and everything to be used on the mountain all days eight days, except the meals because we will have more fresh food from the town after three days on the mountain. It will be also the good time to have your lunch out there before starting our trekking, it can take average maximum time is 1 hour-2 hours before carry on.
Starting elevation 1800m to Londorossi starting point.
Ending elevation 3600m to Shira one (1) Camp
Altitude gain today to 1800m
Trekking distance 3kms
Walking hours 1hours
Overnight hut Shira one (1) Camp
Elevation Zone Rainforest/Montane Forest and moorland
After registration and once the team is ready for the hiking, they will call you and take a jeep again drive back to the starting point of Shira route crossing over the thick forest of pine plantations then after starting point get off from jeep , ready to start hiking .
From the way in moorland zone to the caldera of Shira volcano, we explore the fascinating rock formations on the Shira plateau where it will be our camp for the night, also the camp provide the best views of the mountain from western side.
From the shira barrier 3400m where the walking begins, we will keep moving to the shira one camp which is 3600m that will take half an hour to one hour of walking,
After get in shira one the team will prepare hot drinks such as coffee, tea, and chocolate drinks warm up your body and then waiting for the dinner.
Starting elevation 3620m Shira One (1) Camp
Ending elevation 3950m Shira Two (2)Camp
Altitude gain today 330 m
Trekking distance 9 km
Walking hours 4-5 hours via Shira peak 3820m
Overnight hut Shira Two (2) Camp
Elevation Zone Moorland and Alpine Desert zone
This part our walk is short and enjoyable; it will be less tiring than the day before. the way cross a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations, Shira peak which will allows a great views of the Mt.Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru. The ever changing landscape will again surprise you with a different terrain.
Also pass the big Senecieo Kilimanjari that can grow more than 9 meters in high and other more strange plants like lobelia, gladiolas and wild protea kilimanjari, From the top of the Shira peak 3820m, will be above the clouds and be rewarded with best views of the Shira plateau and beautiful landscape, the rest of walk from Shira one to Shira two,. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization, that increase chance to conger the top point of the mountain.
Starting elevation 3950m Shira Two Camp
Acclimatization point 4600m Lava Tower Camp
Ending elevation 3920m Baranco Camp
Altitude gain today 980m
Trekking distance 10kms
Walking hours 6-7 hours
Overnight hut Baranco Camp
Elevation Zone Moorland and semi-desert zone
From the Shira Two camp the team will continue east up a steep and rocky trail to Lava Tower Camp 4600m the trek is longer and tough for some of the tourist.
The Lava Tower is the big stone left after glaciation to take place. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers start to feel symptoms acute mountain sickness such as breathlessness, irritability and headaches.
The lunch will be at Lava Tower then descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camp 3920m. Barranco Camp is the camp where you will be rewarded with beautiful landscape where offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs, Barranco camp is the most beautiful camp all over Kilimanjaro, is the huge camp junction about four route joining together to the same route all the way to the summit, Barranco camp is unforgettable.
Starting elevation 3920m Baranco Camp
Acclimatization point 4280m Top of Barranco Camp
Ending elevation 4010m Karanga Camp
Altitude gain today 270 m
Trekking distance 5 km
Walking hours 4-5 hours
Overnight hut Karanga Camp
Elevation Zone Moorland and Alpine Desert zone
Today our walk is short being only 5km and enjoyable afternoon views, the beginning will encounter the hardest part of this day stage on Barranco wall evolves a bit of rock climbing, it looks scared but it is easy as you approach it, because its offer many zig-zaga that makes it easy (also commonly referred to as the ‘Breakfast Wall’ as tourist will be right there after breakfast!)
From the top of the Barranco wall we will be above the clouds, also rewarded with best views of the Heim glaciers Kerstin glaciers and beautiful landscape, rest of today’s walk from the top of Barranco wall becomes a bit easier because its evolves many uphill and down hills , Walking along the ridge you can experience the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching at the Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization again, that will increase chance to conger the highest point
Starting elevation 4010m Karanga Camp
Ending elevation 4600m Barafu Camp
Altitude gain today 590m
Trekking distance 4kms
Walking hours 3-4 hours
Overnight hut Barafu Camp
Elevation Zone alpine-desert zone
Today walking is the shortest being only 4kms, great day very close to the summit. the air become dry due to the high altitude and may lead to your heavy breathing, stay positive the leader of the team aware to this so they will slow down the speed just to catch up breathing while going uphill, Barafu camp is located on an exposed ridge which is rough and rocky with the beautifully landscape.
On arrived at Barafu camp have a lunch and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night walking, early dinner will be served to you thereafter we will go to sleep as the attempt for summit will begin the same night from mid-night to UHURU.
Starting elevation 4600m Barafu Camp
Via Stella elevation 5720m Stella point
Ending elevation 5895m UHURU PEAK
Altitude gain today 1295m
Trekking distance 5-7kms
Walking hours 6-8 hours
Elevation Zone desert zone ice-capped summit
From Barafu hut to Stella point is the most mentally and physically challenging part of your trek to mount Kilimanjaro but hopefully with the great sense of achievement to reach a goal and will realize that this is Kilimanjaro time make the most of it. Normally a starting time is 12.00am midnight as a departure.
We will start our hike with long and tough climb from Barafu camp 4600m to Stella Point 5720m, making your trek more difficult, after you made to the Stella point the hardest part will be done. The Stella point is the top of the ridge but it is not the highest point of the mountain, the highest point of the mountain is UHURU PEAK 5895M.(UHURU means FREEDOM).
From Stella point is easy to reach UHURU PEAK, it will take just maximum of 45min to 1 hour to accomplish the dream and say wow!!, I made to Kilimanjaro!, the highest free-standing mountain in the world and the peak of Africa! Well done. It will not be safe to stay at the top (UHURU POINT) for the long time because some time acute mountain sickness can attack tourist after they made to the top recomended time 10min to 15min will be enough to enjoy the views and taking more pictures way back.
From UHURU PEAK we will switch back downhill to Barafu camp on the same way, where it will take the maximum of 2hrs-3hrs hours downhill and we will short break and barafu Camp before wake up for the lunch and starting walking down to Mweka Hut.
Starting elevation 4600m Barafu Camp
Ending elevation 3100M Mweka Camp
Altitude Lost today 1500m
Trekking distance 7kms
Walking hours 3-4 hours
Overnight hut Mweka Camp
Elevation Zone moorland and alpine-desert zone
After rest and lunch at the Barafu hut, we continue back downhill to the Mweka Hut. Today’s walk takes us back downhill through the alpine desert, heath and moorland zones until we again enter the Rain forest zone via Millennium Camp (3770m).
The walking almost around 16 hours, less breaks! Exhausting, that started from mid-night. But if tourist made it to the top, they will think it was worth training they ever made in their lifetime, and shout up they will never ever again some used to say that! “Please to Climb Kilimanjaro Is Not Difficult Train To be scared , It Is All About Your Mindset , If You’re Ready To Climb It Please Stay Positive”
Starting elevation 3100M Mweka Camp
Ending elevation 1820M Mweka Gate
Altitude Lost today 1280m
Trekking distance 8kms
Walking hours 2-3 hours
Overnight hut Moshi Town
Elevation Zone Rain forest zone
The Great day has come yet, seven days without shower, today everyone think about the hot showers.
the walking will take us again through the lush rainforest, where deference species of Monkey and the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjari flower grows.
On arrived at the gate , tourist will be required to sign-out , for all successful climbers, they will be able to receive the certificate of completion.
Climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and Climbers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
After receiving certificates, Driver will take us back to the Hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where it is definitely time for hot shower and celebration! Departure to the airport or safari tour and other destination.
The tourist will have to pay $2395.00(P/P) price based on 2 person include the following services as it listed on the table below. for any query please call us or send us a message for clarifications from our team. Book This Package Now
Airport pickup on arrival and return on departure time .
2 Nights hotels, meaning full one before climb and after climb.
All transfers to the mountain and back to Moshi town.
Professional, experienced, mountain guides, cookers, and porters
Guides, Porters, and Cooker salaries.
waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis).
Sleeping Mattress.
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder.
Three meals on Mountain (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Purified or Boilled drinking water while on the Mountain.
Mess tents with tables and outdoor chairs.
VAT (18% ) and All government fees.
Tanzania Visa.
Hotels and Transfers (available as an optional add-on).
Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for rent in here Tanzania too; don't stress if you forget some of the trekking equipment).
Tips and gratuities( This is traditionally for all Mt Kilimanjaro climbers after finish their treks Guides, Cookers and Porters will expect this and the end of the trip).
Portable flush toilet with the toilet tent as an add-on, please see we will need you to pay an extra 150$ per toilet.
Travel insurance.
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.).
Meals not listed in the itinerary.
Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages.
Lemosho is extremely beautiful and offers a partly untouched landscape as well as varied flora and fauna. Also for the best successful climb.
Machame Route is the second most popular route to summit Mt.Kili after the Lemosho route, the route approaches from south-west.
Marangu route is widely known as a Coca-Cola route due to its easiest and comfortability, the only way offer hut and beds on the mountain.
The Rongai route the easiest route and best during the rainy season since it receives less rainfall compared to other routes.
The Shira route starts relatively high above sea level and is, therefore, a less frequented route as it offers the poorest acclimatization.
Umbwe route is the very Challenging and hardest route to Mount Kili, It is for experienced hikers want to test their fitness.
Definitely climb Kilimanjaro in 7 days Lemosho routes or 5 days Marangu route and 6 days for for other routes like Shira, Rongai, Machame, and umbwe route, Most clients are attached to the shortage of time to spend on the mountain, and very few clients can mention that is Cost savings, again very few of them fall to this point.
Most of the client make the wrong choice due to the lack of enough information about a significantly of acclimatization protocal and summit success rate. Others are fit and they just about to test their fitness and do not like to waste much time on Mount Kilimanjaro, Anyone can pick up this options for their own risk of difficulties and failure to reach the destinations but you need to enjoy from the enterace gate to the end of your climbing, not just the top of the mount Kilimanjaro.
short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly as reach a camp.
The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike but has less acclimatization protocol.
Very challenging, steepest, and hardest of all Mount Kilimanjaro routes. this is for experienced hikers want to test their fitness.
Lemosho Route considered to be the most scenic trail on Mount Kilimanjaro but 7 days, in a second day of our climb will be challenging.
Machame route is considered a difficult choice for 6 days since is very challenging and offers the poorest acclimatization protocol.
5 days Marangu route is a shortest and most Cheapest options to climb mount Kilimanjaro but hard and has high risk of failure to climb.