The Shira route is one of the older Kilimanjaro routes, and is very similar to the Lemosho route. The only differences between them is the trail walked on first couple of days, and that the starting point of the Shira is higher.
The Shira route approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro from the west, starting at Morum Barrier. It starts relatively high above sea level.
The route takes six days minimum to complete, although seven days is recommended. The descent is down Mweka, in the south-east. Because the starting point is far from Moshi and Arusha, it is more expensive to climb this route due to the added transportation cost of getting climbers to the gate. 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.
WHY SHIRA ROUTE
• Scenery view
• Low traffic
• Higher starting point
ITINERARY OF 6 DAYS OF CLIMBING KILIMANJARO SHIRA ROUTE
8 DAYS SHIRA ROUTE (6 DAYS CLIMBING+ 2DAYS HOTEL)
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
DAY 2: Moshi to Londorosi Gate (1,830m) to Shira two Campsite (3,850m)
Elevation: 1,830m to 3,850m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Drive from Moshi to the trailhead 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.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 3: Shira 2 Camp (3,800m) to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp to (3,950m)
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.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Karanga Camp (4,235m)
Elevation: 3,950m to 4,235m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
This is short day of trekking. In the morning, you will start climbing Barranco wall, 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.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 5: Karanga Camp (4,235m) to Barafu Camp (4,600) campsite to Barafu campsite
Elevation: 4,235m to 4,600m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We will 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.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) Then Down to Mweka (3,100m)
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 photos. 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.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m), Drive to Moshi
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.
. MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 8: Hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Health & Safety is our first priority :
✔ We Climb Kilimanjaro Company we are a local owned company that we
are high consider health and safety of our customer before, during and
after climbing, these are:-
Before climbing:
✔ We book to the hotel that they provide high standard of safety in
terms of human health that is (food and shelter ) and considering
safety costumer’s properties
✔ We make sure that you are health worth for climbing. We check if
there is any medical recommendation from you're doctor so if any
can take special care of you.
During climbing :
✔ Constantly monitor your health: You can be fit and healthy at the
start of your climb, but altitude can affect your health as you
progress up the mountain. That’s why we constantly monitor your
health as you climb. Our expert guides can detect any problems
and take the necessary actions. Always health checks are conducted three times a day to measure
pulse, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation
✔ We provide Nutritious food and safe water: we always follow good
food safety practices — from packing to plating
Good food and plenty of drinking water are essential ingredients,
both physically and psychologically, to make your climb
rewarding. At high altitudes, drinking a lot of water is essential
for your health and helps preventing altitude sicknesses. It goes
without saying that your body will also need plenty of food to
compensate for the unusual physical effort in climbing.
After climbing:
✔ If you will need any assistant after climbing, we are ready to
assist you.
✔ Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
✔ Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Accommodation:
✔ Accommodation at 3* hotel (Around Moshi) one night before and one night after the Climbing. You will have all for a
comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
✔ Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition,
we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
✔ Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
✔ All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus.
Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
✔ All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
✔ 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
✔ All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
✔ Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
✔ Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
✔ Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder
certification.
All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
✔ 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. We Climb Kilimanjaro is an honest and responsible tour operator working in
full compliance with the tax law of the
United Republic of Tanzania.
:
✘ International flights;
✘ Tips (200-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
✘ Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
✘ Personal gear rentals;
✘ Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
✘ Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people);
✘ Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers
high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
