7 Days Shira Route

Description

The Shira Route is a demanding route that starts in the west. It takes 7-days to hike the Shira Route, although more days can be added for acclimatization upon request. Due to its elevated starting point, altitude-related symptoms are not uncommon on the Shira Route, and so it is best reserved for experienced climbers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize, or those who have hiked Mt Meru on a warm-up expedition.

Itinerary Details

• Day
  1

  Arrive Kilimanjaro

  At Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. After hotel check-in, you will have a few hours to relax before meeting with your guide for a briefing.

  Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

• Day
  2

  Shira Gate To Simba Camp

  Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 11,800ft

  Distance: 4 km

  Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

  Habitat: Moorland

  After breakfast and storing any unnecessary luggage at the hotel reception, your driver will transfer you to Londorossi Gate, where you will complete registration. From here, you will drive up a steep track to the Shira Road barrier, unload your backpacks, begin your expedition to the Roof of Africa. Today is a relatively short day of hiking with excellent views of the summit.

• Day
  3

  Shira Two Camp To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp

  Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 15,090ft to 13,000ft

  Distance: 10 km

  Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  Today you will ‘hike high and sleep low’ as you make your way to the impressive Lave Tower formation at 15,090ft or 4,600m above sea level. From here, you will make your way down through the magnificent Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp, where you will dinner and overnight.

• Day
  4

  Shira Two Camp To Barranco Camp

  Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

  Distance: 7 km

  Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

  Habitat: Semi Desert

  Today you will make your way to the impressive Lave Tower formation at 15,090ft or 4,600m above sea level, where the Lemosho Route merges with the Machame Route. From here, you will make your way down through the southern ice fields to Barranco Camp, where you will be surrounded with indigenous plants such as giant lobelias, tussock grasses, giant senecios, and helichrysums. An all-important day for acclimatization, you will ‘climb high and sleep low’ to help your body prepare for the days ahead.

• Day
  5

  Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

  Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 15,090ft to 13,000ft

  Distance: 10km

  Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  After breakfast today, it’s time to tackle the mighty Barranco Wall as you make your way to Karanga Valley Camp. It will take you approximately two hours to reach the top of the wall, and from the top you will enjoy spectacular vistas of the Shira Plateau below. From here, it’s a relatively short walk to Karanga Camp, where you will rest and recuperate for the rest of the day.

• Day
  6

  Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

  Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

  Distance: 4 km

  Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  After breakfast this morning, you will push for Base Camp where you will prepare for your summit attempt. The journey to Barafu Camp will take approximately 4 hours, and so you’ll have plenty of time to relax in your tent or take a short acclimatization walk with your guide. Dinner will be served early today, and afterwards, you’ll return to your tent for a few hours of sleep. At midnight, you will depart for Uhuru Peak.

• Day
  7

  Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp

  Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft and down to 10,000ft

  Elevation (m): 4.663m to 5,895m and down to 3,048m

  Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

  Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

  Habitat: Arctic

  Summit day has finally arrived, and after a warm drink at Barafu base camp, you will begin the final part of your journey to Uhuru Peak at above sea level – the highest peak in Africa. It will be a long, cold night, and your endurance will be pushed to the max, but success is just 6 – 7 hours away. As soon as the sun begins to rise over Mother Africa, you’ll end goal will be in sight, with the Stella Point sign welcoming you. After a brief break at Stella Point, you’ll continue along the final stretch to Uhuru Peak where you can take those all-important photo’s before descending back to Barafu Camp for lunch. After lunch, you’ll descend along the Mweka Route to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

• Day
  8

  Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

  Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

  Distance: 10 km

  Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

  Habitat: Rainforest

  After a final mountainside breakfast, you’ll descend to Mweka Gate where you’ll receive your certificate and spend some quality team with your mountain crew. This is the perfect time to give them their tips. Afterwards, you will transfer to your hotel in Moshi for a welcome hot shower!

• Day
  9

  Departure

  At the agreed time, your driver will collect you and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.

Include / Exclude

Location