Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, French
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Shira route starts on the Western Site of the Kilimanjaro. It is almost the same as the Lemosho route. But on the first day, you ascend to the 2nd camp of the Lemosho route. Only after that, do the two routes correspond.
Shira Route is one of the older and less frequented routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a challenging yet rewarding climb with stunning scenery and diverse landscapes.
Shira Route is known for its breathtaking views, particularly across the vast Shira Plateau, one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world. Hikers can expect to see dramatic landscapes, including volcanic cones, glaciers, and lush valleys. The route also offers excellent views of Kibo, the summit crater of Kilimanjaro.
What's included
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Laundry service available at 4$ per cloth
What to expect
Day 1: Arrival Day
Moshi
12h
Meet and greet upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our driver will be at the airport arrival hall waiting for you, you will recognize him by a sign banner bearing a lead traveler's name or your own name if you are traveling alone, the driver will take you to Keys Hotel in Moshi town for your overnight stay.
Day 2: Londorossi gate – Shira camp
Kilimanjaro National Park
6h
The day of walking that begins from Londorossi National Park gate (2,250 m.) through farmland and plantations and continues climbing steadily on a broad track through shrub forest and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (3,350 m.) The views across the surrounding plains open out as we climb and the area is home to a variety of game including buffalo. Our first camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m.) [3-4 hours walking]
Day 3: Shira two camp
Kilimanjaro National Park
6h
After breakfast continue to hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Overnight at Shira two camp 3850m
Day 4: Barranco Camp
Kilimanjaro National Park
6m
Today is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 7-hour superb hike. We pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga Valley
Kilimanjaro National Park
6h
On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall – a 950 ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo Peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Barafu Camp
Kilimanjaro National Park
6h
First thing, you will be making a steep hike out of the valley. The air starts getting quite thin, and you will be running short of breath. It is a tough, but rewarding uphill to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. Barafu means, ice in Swahili, and it is extremely cold at this altitude. So, go to bed early because we will be waking you at midnight for the final leg to Uhuru Peak.
Day 7: Uhuru peak to Mweka camp
Kilimanjaro National Park
14h
We will start our ascent by torchlight around midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800 m.) Millennium. Most of us will be too tired to notice the beauty of the forest surrounding us. We spend our last night on the mountain at Mweka Camp.
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi town
Mount Kilimanjaro
6h · Admission ticket included
After a deserved strong breakfast it is a short scenic 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Please call tips to porters and guides given once all crew and the client's gears reach the Mweka gate safely, but remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details to a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1-hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In Mweka Village a delicious hot lunch will be served after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and a comfortable night at Keys Hotel in Moshi town.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
We work 24 hours, and we pick up and drop off travelers at Kilimanjaro International Airport day and night.
Additional information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
