About Shira Route
Shira route approaches from the West of Kilimanjaro and is nearly identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original Lemosho Route on this western side of the mountain. While Lemosho Route starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this segment by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge. On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from (3,400 m) and end at Shira One Campsite, (3,500m). The remainder of the route follows the southern circuit route, traversing beneath the Southern ice fields before summiting from Barafu or Western Breach Route.
You will be picked up from airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek.
Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking
gears.
Elevation: 1,830m to 3,850m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Drive from Moshi to the trail head takes about 3 hours. We hike through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Drive from Moshi to the trail head takes about 3 hours. We hike through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.
Elevation: 3,800m to 3,950m
Distance: 10km
Walking Time: 5-6 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 goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Distance: 10km
Walking Time: 5-6 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 goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3,950m to 4,235m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today is short day of trekking. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4,235m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a bit of rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the scree slopes towards the Southern ice field. You will then return to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Elevation: 4,235m to 4,600m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walk takes few hours because of short distance but is steep which need slowly walk so to avoid tiredness. You will completely walk across alpine desert with strong and cold winds blows from the ever closer Kibo peak and its ice. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when we you commence your push for the summit.
Distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walk takes few hours because of short distance but is steep which need slowly walk so to avoid tiredness. You will completely walk across alpine desert with strong and cold winds blows from the ever closer Kibo peak and its ice. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when we you commence your push for the summit.
Elevation: 4,600m to 5,895m to 3,100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photo’s. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your belongings, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photo’s. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your belongings, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.
Elevation: 3,100m to 1,640m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
- Private transport from the hotel to the Park s gate (starting point for the climb), and transport back to the hotel after the climb.
- All National Park entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Qualified medical guides.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters..
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees).
- Government taxes.
- Pickup and drop off to Airport.
- Evacuation services.
- Hut fees [ Marangu route }.
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
- Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts).
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only).
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides.
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb..
***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)**
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (Recommended $20 per guides, $15 per cook, $10 per porter all per day).
• Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent).
• Extra days in hotel.
- All National Park entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Qualified medical guides.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters..
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees).
- Government taxes.
- Pickup and drop off to Airport.
- Evacuation services.
- Hut fees [ Marangu route }.
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
- Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts).
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only).
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides.
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb..
***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)**
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (Recommended $20 per guides, $15 per cook, $10 per porter all per day).
• Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent).
• Extra days in hotel.
