Shira Route 7 Days

Success Rate 93% - 96%

Shira Route 96%

About the route

The Shira Route is one of the less-used but highly scenic routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, starting at Shira Gate (3,600m) on the western side. It quickly ascends to the Shira Plateau, offering expansive views before merging with the Lemosho Route at Shira Camp 2. Trekkers gradually acclimatize as they pass Lava Tower (4,600m), descend to Barranco Camp, and tackle the Barranco Wall. The journey continues through Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,673m), the launching point for the final summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) via Stella Point. The descent follows the Mweka Route. Due to its high starting altitude, this route is best for experienced trekkers or those already acclimatized, offering breathtaking scenery and a quieter trail experience.

Route summary

Day 1: Shira One Camp
Day 2: Shira Hut
Day 3: Barranco Valley
Day 4: Karanga Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp
Day 6: Summit to Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Gate to Moshi

Day 1: Shira One Camp (Full board)

After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, we drive approximately 3 hours through the rural countryside to the Londrossi Gate. For the necessary park registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive a short distance on a steep track through farmland and plantations to the starting of Shira Route. We start our ascent along the shrub forests the trail climbs steadily with wide views of Kibo Icefield to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau.

Londrossi Gate to Shira One Camp (3550 m): 4-5 hours walking.

Day 2: Shira Hut (Full board)

Today we follow an easy path to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut. As this camp is quite exposed, it can be substantially colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Shira Camp One to Shira Hut (3,840 m): 4-5 hours walking.

Day 3: Barranco Valley (Full Board)

Today we walk on a gentle ascend and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.).

Moir Hut to Barranco valley (3,900 m.): 5-7 hours walking.

Day 4: Karanga Camp (Full Board)

A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp
Barranco Valley to Karanga camp (4,000 m): 4-5 hours walking.

Day 5: Barafu Camp (Full Board)

Today we take the Traverse Route that takes up the Barafu Ridge, we walk up quite slowly to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.

Day 6: Summit to Mweka Camp (Full Board)

Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to main peak (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Barafu is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Mweka Camp.

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.

Day 7: Mweka Gate to Moshi (Full Board)

A gentle walk takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka gate successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch we drive back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: 3-5 hours walking.

Price for this Route From USD$1850

Kilimanjaro Trek Cost:

What’s included:

Kilimanjaro International Aport (JRO) Transfers, 2-Way
All park entrance, hut and rescue fees
All meals, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
Staff salaries and fees
Transport to/from national park gates
First aid kit and pulse oximeter
Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town
3 delicious meals daily on the mountain
3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you
2 nights lodging at Panama Inn in Moshi or Natron Palace Hotel in Arusha
Breakfast included at Panama Inn in Moshi or Natron Palace Hotel in Arusha

What’s excluded:

Prices do not include sleeping bags
Gratuities
Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted
Health insurance
Visa fees
International airfare
Laundry
Meals not noted on the itinerary

Kilimanjaro Rental Equipment

Rucksack/Daypack $12
Balacava US$ 6
Sleeping bag (-12°C) US$ 20
Sleeping bag (-25°C) US$ 40
Ponchour – Heavy/Western/Europe US$ 18
Ponchour – Light/Loca US$ 12
Socks US$ 4
Duffel Bag US$ 6
Hiking Poles (2) US$ 10
Gaiters US$ 8
Gloves US$ 6
Sweater US$ 5
Long Underwear US$ 5
Raincoat US$ 6
Raincoat – G.T, Waterproof US$ 12
Rain Pants US$ 12
Torch / Flashlight US$ 5
Camel Pack US$ 7 (rent 1 extra water bottle US$ 5)
Sunglasses US$ 5
Hiking Boots US$ 9
Fleece Pants US$ 6
Warm Jacket/Down Jacket US$ 12
Hat or Neck Scarf US$ 6

The above list is a guide to what should be taken, little else need be taken – do not overpack. Warm head cover, thick fibre pile or down jacket, light waterproof top, trousers, light overtrousers, mittens, thermal underwear, sweater, warm socks and lightweight inner socks, watertight and well broken in sturdy boots, gaiters, sunglasses, walking poles, sleeping bag (three or four season, if three then a liner is recommended), sleeping pad, water bottle, high factor sun protection cream, small first aid kit, headtorch with extra batteries, toilet roll, small wash kit and a small daypack. A holdall or bigger rucksack to give to your porter with your main luggage. Optional: a hat with a brim.

Recommended Minimum Tipping Scale:

Chief Guide: US$ 15-20 per day
Assistant Guide: US$ 10-15 per day per assistant guide
Cook: US$ 7-10 per day
Porters: US$ 5-7 per day per porter

Tip amounts listed are per group, not per individual traveler. For instance, if 4 people are on Kilimanjaro, they should each contribute US$ 5/day if they want to tip the chief guide US$ 20.

At the ceremony your group might choose to say a few words, sing a song or something else short in order to celebrate the moment.