Know Your
Mount Kilimanjaro – Shira Route
Additional Information.
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Price is per person, if 2 or more people travel together the cost is less.
The Shira route approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro from the west, starting at the Morum Barrier. It starts relatively high above sea level and is therefore a less frequented route as it offers a poorer acclimatization profile. The route requires you to camp.
DAY 0: Arrival & Pick Up (Kilimanjaro Airport).
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)or Arusha Airport, where you will meet with our representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. The accommodation will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: rooms, hot water, polite staff, and Internet access.
DAY 1:Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, Our drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requires a 4WD vehicle which leads to Lemosho Glades passing through forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
DAY 2:Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
We’ll continue after breakfast as the trail increasingly becomes steeper and enters the area of massive heather moors and proceed across several streams before gently descending to Shira 1 camp, which is situated by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
DAY 3:Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, a gentle hike begins across the plateau leading to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
DAY 4:Shira Camp 2 to Moir Camp
Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
Distance: 14km/8mi
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today’s journey is a long one in the direction of the east, passing through the “Garden of the Senecios” before entering the high alpine desert region. We’ll spend the morning hiking up to Lava Tower, where lunch will be served on the famous Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters. You will join the Northern Circuit after lunch and descend to the 4,200-meter Moir Camp. This is a crucial day in your trek since you’ll experience high altitude and then sleep at a low altitude, both of which are beneficial for acclimatization.
DAY 5:Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
Distance: 12km/7mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: High Alpine
On this day, we’ll encounter a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We can do an optional hike to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp.
DAY 6:Buffalo camp to Rongai Third Cave
Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine
We’ll travel up the Buffalo Ridge to begin the day before descending into Porfu Camp, where lunch is typically provided. The Rongai Third Cave is reached by continuing east and navigating the northern slopes. You should feel fully adjusted to the altitude by this point, and the walk is shorter than it was the previous day. The Third Cave will be reached soon before midday.
DAY 7: Third Cave to School Hut
Elevation: 3800m/12,467ft to 4800m/15,748ft
Distance: 15km/8mi
Climbing Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We’ll travel up the Buffalo Ridge to begin the day before descending into Porfu Camp, where lunch is typically provided. The Rongai Third Cave is reached by continuing east and navigating the northern slopes. You should feel fully adjusted to the altitude by this point, and the walk is shorter than it was the previous day. The Third Cave will be reached soon before midday.
DAY 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3950m/12,959ft
Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
On day eight, you will be walking for a total of 14 to 16 hours, so it’s critical to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Around 11:30, steaming tea and biscuits will be served to awaken you before you start the arduous ascent up Kibo’s hills in the shadows. Hans Meyer Cave will be your first checkpoint there we’ll have a little break. It will take around 5 to 6 hours to reach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), at which point the ascent becomes more difficult. Enjoy the beautiful view of the setting sun and Mawenzi Peak for a bit, but keep in mind that you still have two hours of hiking to complete to get to Uhuru Peak. As you move west around the crater rim, the slope flattens, and you should reach the peak at or shortly after sunrise. Since your time here will be limited, take as many photos as you can of the breathtaking vistas and nearby glaciers. Once you reach Stella Point (5,739 meters), you will turn south and descend the steep Kibo slopes to Barafu Camp by retracing your steps around the crater rim (4,680 meters). Before going on to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters), where you will spend your final night on the mountain, most hikers stop here for a little rest.
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IncludedAll transportation (unless labeled as optional)A professional driver/guideAll accommodations as stated in the itineraryAll activities (unless labeled as optional)All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)All Taxes/VATCamping EquipmentPark fees
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Not IncludedInternational flights (from/to home)Services not mentioned in the programAdditional accommodation before and at the end of the tourAlcoholic drinksItems of a personal naturePersonal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)Rescue Fee.Round trip Airport Transfer.The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park feesTipsTravel insurance and medical repatriation