6 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Shira Route

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Tour Description

Mount Kilimanjaro trekking Shira route

The Kilimanjaro trekking Shira route is sometimes called the Lemosho Route because it runs parallel to the Lemosho Route at the beginning but begins much higher up. The Shira Route connects with the Machame Route at Shira 2 Camp.

Kilimanjaro + Safari Combo Discount: Save $50/person when you book a Kilimanjaro Trek and Safari for 5 days or more.

All our Kilimanjaro treks are offered as a private trips, starting on any day. We offer group departures on the Machame Route only.

Itinerary - Day by Day

  • Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania

    You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your accommodations in Arusha town. During the short drive (approximately one hour) your driver/guide will brief you on your Kilimanjaro climb. Today you will spend your time at your leisure and relax for your upcoming exciting adventure.
    Accommodation Masailand Hotel, bed and breakfast

  • Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Shira route gate, hike to Shira 2 Camp

    The drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Shira route gate 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 of Shira route gate: 1830m/6000ft to 3850m/12,600ft
    Distance: 8km/5mi
    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
    Habitat: Montane Forest

    Meals included: Lunch, Dinner Budget Accommodations: Shira 2 Camp

  • Day 2: Hike Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

    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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft).

    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 acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

    Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
    Distance: 10km/6mi
    Walking Time: 5-6 hours
    Habitat: Semi-desert

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp

  • Day 3: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

    After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

    Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
    Distance: 5km/3mi
    Hiking Time: 34 hours
    Habitat: Alpine Desert

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Budget Accommodations: Karanga Camp

  • Day 4: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    We continue up to the Barafu Camp. 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.

    Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
    Distance: 4km/2mi
    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    Habitat: Alpine Desert

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp

  • Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

    Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

    From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

    From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

    — Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
    — Down to 3090m/10,150ft
    — Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
    — Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
    — Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp

  • Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi or Arusha

    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. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

    Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.

    Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
    Distance: 10km/6mi
    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    Habitat: Forest

    Meals included: Breakfast

Request a free quote for this Adventure

INCLUSIVE TO THE PRICE COST:
– All accommodations per itinerary
– All meals per itinerary
– All tours and entrance fees per itinerary
– All transportation and transfers per itinerary
– National Park gate fees
– Transport from/to the park gate
– Camping fees
– Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides
– Salaries for all crew members
– Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
– Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
– Oximeters
– Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)

EXCLUSIVE TO THE PRICE COST:
– International and domestic flights
– Meals not listed
– Beverages and alcohol
– Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
– Optional tours
– Single room supplement
– Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
– Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $400-550/person)
– Sleeping bags and personal gear $45 for a single tent
– Low season discount in April/May

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