Shira Route

PACKAGE PRICE:

Tour overview:

The Shira Route is a difficult route that begins in the west, at Shira Gate. What is unque about Shira is that the first section of the trail is not hiked, but rather driven. Therefore, climbers using Shira will miss out on hiking up one of Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones, the rain forest.

An off road vehicle transports climbers to the Shira gate, located at 11,500 feet, where the hike begins to Simba Camp. This is a sizable altitude gain for someone who slept at Moshi on their previous night. Complications from altitude can occur due to failed acclimatization.

Scenicaly, Shira is beautiful because it crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau, and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Shira has low traffic until it combines with Machame.

Shira is ideal for those who are confident in their ability to acclimatize to altitude, and to walk over steeper paths for extended periods.

Itinerary:

Arrival,

This day you will be picked up from the Airport and then transferred to the hotel in Moshi town for one night before trekking, there you will meet you guide for gear checkup and other issue.

Day 1: Shira Gate to Simba Camp  

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba Camp.

•  
• Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ftDistance: 4 kmHiking Time: 1-2 HoursHabitat: HeathMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2: Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Today is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization. We begin by exploring the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Then we take a scenic path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles, before settling at Shira 2 Camp.

•  
• Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ftDistance: 6 kmHiking Time: 2 hoursHabitat: Heath
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Shira 2 camp to Lava Tower

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 3 km
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 4: Barranco camp (3960m) to Karanga camp (3963m)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

• Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
• time taken: 5 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3963m) to Barafu camp (4640m).

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

• Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
• time taken: 3 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Barafu camp (4640m) to Uhuru peak (5895m)

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic
• Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
• Distance: 12 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7: Mweka camp to Mweka Gate

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest