7 Days Shira Route

ABOUT SHIRA - ROUTE

This route is located from the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro and beginnings with long drive from Moshi town to Londososi gate then bypass the forest zone by car to Shira Ridge. The route is identical to Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is improved variation to Shira. It corsses the Shira Plateau from west to East at flat hike before start getting steeper and then traverse to southern circuit of Branco. The route is less preferred despite of its varied beautiful features compare to its successor due to relative high altitudes of its starting point, which is quickly accessible by vehicle. It is possible to experience altitude sickness at day one due to quick drive to the very high altitude. But more preferred for those who want to go for 7 days hike in comparison for 7 days of Lemosho route.
  • INCLUDED & EXCLUDED
  • ITINERARY
  • ADDITIONAL INFO
  • MAP

Price includes

3 meals daily while on the mountain
4 Season mountain tents
Chemical Flushed Portable toilet and toilet Crew.
Cookware and Stove
Dinning tent for shared in group.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Filtered water throughout the trek
Oxygen tank and oximeter for health and safety purpose.
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
Sleeping Mats

Price does not include

Both International and local flights
Items of a personal nature
Laundry Services
Tips to mountain crew

ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged 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. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Driving distance: 55 km/miles,
Driving Time: 1hour
Habitat: Cultivated zone
Hotel: Bed and Breakfast
hike


DAY 1: SHIRA RIDGE – SHIRA ONE
We begin our journey from Moshi to Londorosi gate where will complete formalities and pack our belongs, then keep driving to Shira ridge where will start our hike. Today the drive will involve a long from Moshi to the park and short walk to reach the first camp. The trail starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Shira Camp one.
Distance: 4km/2miles,
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours,
Eleven: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
Vegetation: Heath.
hike


DAY 2: SHIRA CAMP ONE – SHIRA CAMP TWO
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance: 8km/5miles,
Hiking Time: 6-8hours,
Eleven:11,500ft to 12,631ft
Vegetation: Heath
hike


DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP TWO – LAVA TOWER – BARANCO CAMP
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Distance: 10km/6miles,
Hiking Time: 6-8hours,
Eleven:12,500ft to 15,190ft to 13,044
Vegetation: Alpine Desert
hike


DAY 4: BARANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP
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: 5km/3miles,
Hiking Time: 4-5hours,
Eleven:13,044 ft – 13,106 ft
Vegetation: Alpine Desert
hike


DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
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: 4km/2miles,
Hiking Time: 4-5hours,
Eleven:13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Vegetation: Alpine Desert
hike


DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – UHURU – MILLENNIUM CAMP
We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance: 5km/3miles and 7km/4mile
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 2-4 hours
Eleven: 15,331 ft to 19,341ft and 12,434 ft
Vegetation: Arctic to Heath
hike


DAY 7: MILLENNIUM CAMP – MWEKA GATE
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel
Distance: 12km/7miles,
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
Eleven:12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
Vegetation: Rain forest
landing


DEPART TANZANIA
This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.