Shira Route Hiking Kilimanjaro 8 Days/7 Nights. Other routes available

Flight to Kilimanjaro – Moshi

Welcome to Kilimanjaro, TANZANIA. Upon arrival at KILIMANJARO International Airport, you’ll meet and greet our friendly Tanzanian representative, who will pick you up and transfer by car/minibus to the city of Moshi on the base of the magnificent Kilimanjaro Mountain. The drive from the airport is in places scenic, if you consider that the highest peak of Africa is on your left side accompanying you for most of the journey to Moshi. Upon arrival in the city, proceed for accommodation and dinner. This evening you will have your first meeting with the mountain chief guide and you will listen to the briefind for this climb. Overnight at MOSHI HOTEL in Moshi. You will only start your climbing the next day.

NOTE 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi is about 1 hour drive.
NOTE 2: If your flight arrives in the morning or noon time (no later than 1pm) we can arrange full day or half day activities in the Moshi area. Possibility for Camel riding, visit and bath at the Chemka Springs, walk tour and visit at Marangu Waterfall, Moshi bicycle tour, Maasai Village Cultural Tour etc. Possibility to go directly to these activities and accommodation and dinner in the evening.
NOTE 3: If your flight arrives in the morning or noon time (no later than 1pm) and you do not take any activities, you have the choice to rest in your hotel before your next day climbing or to walk and do shopping in Moshi City.

Shira Gate to Simba Camp

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 11,800 ft/3505 m to 3597 m
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath

After breakfast in your hotel, together with your crew, proceed in a hiking adventure on mountain Kilimanjaro via Shira route. We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 2-3 hours drive. Once 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.

Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft/3597 m to 3810 m
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitat: Heath

As usually start your day with a delicious breakfast at your camp. Then you’ll continue with the hike. 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 an attractive path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock encircled by steep spires and pinnacles, before settling at Shira 2 Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft/3810 m to 4630 m to 3976 m
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Start your day with breakfast at your camp. Afterwards, 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 13,044 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft/3976 m to 3995 m
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We wake up in the morning to start our schedule as usually, with breakfast. Then we begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. We have lunch, then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp for dinner and overnight stay. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft/3995 m to 4673 m
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Start your day early with the usual breakfast. Afterwards, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We will take lunch, then continue with our schedule up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut Camp. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and then to Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (top of Africa)

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft/4673 m to 5895 m
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak (Kilimanjaro Peak) to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft/5895 m to 3068 m
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we start 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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 in Mweka Camp.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft/3068 m to 1640 m
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After taking breakfast at your camp, 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, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.